The Ultimate Guide To Eye-Opening Kitchen Ideas
Picture Above: A wide open kitchen in contrasting light and dark colors. All photographs by Janek Szymanowski ©
Great Kitchen Layout and Design Ideas
The kitchen, say the experts, will sell the house: an axiom that can’t be proved but which nevertheless rings very true. It is part of today’s house that, more than any other, will yield handsome dividends on your investment – providing you plan sensibly, choose the kitchen’s specific components carefully and apply good taste when it comes to decor.
It is an integral part of our daily lives, and as such, it should function with ease, and not be an endless source of annoyance because it has been badly planned: a cupboard that opens the wrong way or an appliance fitted in an awkward position can cause continual frustration to the harassed cook.
Advice and Ideas
The principal aim of this post is to impart advice and ideas, both functional and imaginative, to those South African homeowners who are thinking of fitting out from new or remodeling.
We hope you will find some good ideas in this enticing range of South African designs.
All these kitchens were designed, manufactured, and installed by Appleby Kitchens.
More About Kitchen Design
When designing a kitchen, there are certain elements that should be taken into consideration to ensure the functionality and aesthetic desired. Planning is an important part of the process as it allows you to determine the size and shape of your kitchen; what cabinets, appliances, and fixtures would best suit your needs; and how to make use of available space.
Aesthetics
When designing a kitchen, it is important to consider both the functionality and aesthetics desired. Planning is paramount in this process; you should determine the size and shape of your kitchen, decide on the type of cabinets, appliances, and fixtures that best fit your needs, and think of ways to make use of available space.
The layout of the kitchen will be determined by how much space you have to work with as well as what your lifestyle needs are. If you frequently host dinner parties or family gatherings, an open floor plan where guests can move freely between areas may be ideal. If not, a more traditional layout with separate areas for cooking, eating, and entertaining may work better for you.
Selecting Cabinets
When selecting cabinets and other storage solutions, consider choosing materials that will stand up to wear and tear over time. Wood is a classic choice that can easily be stained or painted any color you desire. Alternatively, metal cabinets are more modern-looking but may require more upkeep than wood ones in order to keep them looking their best. Pay attention to details such as cabinet handles; these should both look good and be easy to use for maximum convenience.
Appliances
Appliances play a large role in the overall design of any kitchen; choose those that are both stylishly designed and energy efficient in order to save money on electricity bills while also creating an attractive kitchen space. Additionally, think about everyday items such as dishwashers and sinks which should be positioned in a way that makes them easy to access while still leaving enough countertop space free for food preparation.
Lighting
Finally, don’t forget lighting when designing a kitchen; adequate lighting helps ensure safety while also adding mood and atmosphere to the room depending on how it’s used. Consider recessed lights or track lights around task areas such as countertops or cooking surfaces especially if natural light levels inside your home are low due to window placement or orientation towards north-facing rooms. Whatever style of lighting you choose make sure it functions well with all other components in the room for an integrated look that brings everything together nicely.
Contact Details:
Sharon Grant
Cell: 082 780 5104
Tel: 011 493 9663
011 493 6263
Fax: 011 493 8560
info@applebykitchens.co.za
Website: http://applebykitchens.co.za/
Rule of thumb is to allow about 900 mm around an island. It’s all to do with “traffic” flow.
Hi
I have a kitchen with a space of 5000L x 3000W wall to wall would you be able to fit a 900 x 1200 island in the centre of the kitchen that has a gas hob mounted in it . Is there a minimum space required around a island that has a gas hob.
Kind regards Brett.
The kitchen is where a great deal of “working” and family time is spent and although necessary for it to be functional (the design layout is key) for optimal use, aesthically pleasing to work with the overall theme of the house should be considered.
As this is where the greater percentage of the budget is spent on renovation / alterations, I would think it advisable to call in a designer to assist with being practical with the usage of the space. Often suggestions are made to clients of electrical positioning, plumbing points, lighting requirements, etc. things they have never considered as this is not their field of expertise.
Informative site.
Kind regards
Dawn Cruickshank
Insides Spaces Design
There won’t be a problem with the capacity of the mains cable but you will need an isolater switch and a circuit breaker installed in the cottage. This can only be done by registered electrician and he will issue you with a COC. Ask the electrician if he is registered and you can check with the ECA if what he says is correct, have a look at their website here: ecasa.co.za/ecasapublic
I have a little garden flat in the back of my yard and I want to install a built-in oven and stove in the flat’s kitchen. (I already have a built-in oven and stove in the kitchen, in the main house.) The flat’s electricity comes directly from the main house. How do I go about doing it, I’ve asked around, but I’ve gotten so many different answers:
One comment was that you cannot have two stoves/ovens on one power line (as the cables are not thick enough to carry that much electricity) and that I will have to apply from the municipality for another power line. If I have to do, where do I start?
The other comment was that I only need a separate trip switch.
If I do install the stove/oven, must it be done by a certified electrician? How do I know if an electrician is certified and must the electrician provide me with a compliance certificate?
I will really appreciate it if you can assist me with the query.
Awesome Ideas!!!
Stunning aides. my wife is thinking of re-shaping her kitchen and definatekly, the above examples are of great help.