One of the most involved home construction or renovation projects is the kitchen. Building a kitchen is much more involved than knocking some pieces of wood together, as there is generally an intensive design phase before construction begins. This design process helps to balance form and functionality in order to deliver you a kitchen that looks and works great.

There are many standard kitchen designs that are readily available, but these generic designs often fall short of the mark. Because they have been designed to work in a wide range of situations, these off the shelf designs simply do the job without being outstandingly good at it. For a kitchen that truly stands out, you need a custom design that is tailored to you and your needs. Below is a quick breakdown of the design process, as well as the prime considerations of both form and functionality that need attention when you are in the planning stages for your next kitchen.

Design Process

It takes a lot of skill and experience to design beautiful and functional kitchens, so ensure you only choose a well qualified designer. The very first thing that any good designer will do is find out exactly what you want from a kitchen. With this information, they will do their best to fit everything you need into the space available, while also making the entire kitchen aesthetically pleasing.

The designs for custom kitchens are generally done electronically. Once the design is finished it can be sent on to builders and cabinet makers. Working with your designer, they will be able to source the materials needed and build your dream kitchen.

Form

One key part of any kitchen is how it looks. While the kitchen is at its core a functional room, it is also used quite frequently and is seen by many as the centre of the home. A kitchen that looks good makes you feel good about your home and also increase your property value, should you wish to sell.

One of the ways in which designers look to create stunning kitchens is with unique or rare materials. Hard to find stone counters or unique tiles are a great way to make your kitchen look great, but have the downside of being quite expensive. If you are on a budget, ask your designer about ways you can get a premium look for a budget price. There are some surprising tricks that can give the impression of rare and expensive materials without costing you the earth!

Functionality

For many people in the average family home, functionality takes precedence over aesthetics. A functional kitchen is designed to get the job done right first time, every time. The best way to ensure your kitchen will stand the test of time and work efficiently is to not skimp in key areas.

The hardware on the cabinets is one area in particular that you need to pay attention to. Hinges, handles and rails on your cupboards and drawers are some of the most used items in a kitchen. Poor quality cabinet hardware will break with any kind of extended use and be a massive inconvenience.

For more information on designing custom kitchens and selecting the right materials, contact your nearest custom kitchen workshop today.