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Kitchen Design 101


How to Think Like an Architect; Consider Flooring Material, Kitchen Storage Space, the Psychology of Color

© 2010 by Charlotte Cook; All rights reserved; content may not be copied, rewritten, or republished without author’s written permission.

A Breakfast Bar and kitchen interior; photo by Kelly Smith


A Breakfast Bar and kitchen interior; photo by Kelly Smith


This article was last revised on 11/28/20.


There are many things you need to consider when redesigning your kitchen. The ultimate aim is to create a comfortable environment which is both practical and stylish.

After all, this is the area of your home where you will spend a lot of time entertaining and preparing your favorite recipes like Turkey Italian Sausage and Peppers.

A kitchen is one of the most dangerous places in the home, so you also need to be aware of safety issues, particularly if you have young children. This means there is a lot to navigate during the planning and construction stages of the project, even if frugal kitchens are the name of the game for you.

Make Flooring Materials and Kitchen Furnishings Work Together

Another issue when it comes to kitchen design is the vast number of variables involved. In creating a complementary space, you need to consider the color and material of the floors, the worktops, the kitchen units, and the cupboards, not to mention the size and shape of the room itself.

You will also need to build your kitchen around your existing “white goods” while simultaneously ensuring that you have enough storage space to hold your pots, pans, utensils, and food.

A breakfast bar or a kitchen island can help here, particularly if you are cursed with a small kitchen as the mobile ones can be moved to different rooms. They are also good if you wish to utilize the difficult nooks and crannies which form an integral part of most kitchens.

The creation of a good ambience is also important as the kitchen is one room of the house which is hard to avoid. This is particularly the case if you intend to host dinner parties where impressing your guests is particularly important.

However, even if you only want a functional and practical cooking space, the creation of a pleasant place to be is important due to the time you will spend there. If your kitchen includes a breakfast nook you'll want plenty of light. Speaking of sunlight, why not include an herb garden? Although conventional "dirt" gardens are standard, high-tech hydroponic gardens yield some spectacular results.

The Psychology of Color in Interior Design

Color schemes are of fundamental importance in interior design and these must complement other colors in the room. Different shades and hues have different effects on the emotions, with red associated with energy and blue with relaxation.

They also have a role to play regarding appetite, so choosing colors carefully is important. Of course, the color scheme should ideally integrate with the floors, units and cupboards otherwise you will generate a mess which is likely to leave you permanently on edge. Is your kitchen miniscule? Here are some paint illusions that enlarge a room.

In Interior Decorating, Let Your Personality be Your Guide

Ultimately, the design of a kitchen should reflect your own personal tastes but it can be difficult to fathom a combination which works. You can employ an expensive kitchen designer to help you decide, or tour showroom after showroom to see what is available.

Don’t be afraid to stray outside the norm, so long as you’re shooting for a final product that is in good taste. There's a lot to be said for visualization when investigating all the tips for kitchen remodeling. Kitchen design software is your friend.

However, nothing beats faith guided by research, so trust your instincts when it comes to designing and creating the kitchen of your dreams.

Visit Kelly's profile on Pinterest.

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