The planning phase is complete; now it's time to move on to developing the kitchen concept and creating the design.
Now that you have completed the planning and have set the scope of works, you are ready to move onto the next exciting stage: the concept development and design stage.
Every kitchen and home renovation begins with a vision for how your home could better serve your lifestyle and the needs of your family. The concept and design stage is where these dreams take shape by refining the initial vision and creating the detailed design.
This is an inspiring and creative process that lays the foundation for all the work that follows. This stage is also critical to achieving the beautiful and functional result you wish for your home.
Assembling your team for the kitchen renovation
A successful renovation requires the right experts. Whether you’re hiring an interior designer, architect or both, choose professionals whose style and approach align with your goals. This is also the stage to ensure your team understands your vision and budget.
Creating the concept
In the planning stage you may have gathered inspiration images, samples of materials or paint swatches, perhaps created a mood board. These all contribute to setting the style for your new kitchen. Now it’s time to refine the inspiration into one defined concept which will be the basis for the final design.
MEL MAR DESIGN TIP:
Pinterest is a great way to collect inspiration images. Create a board specifically for your new kitchen project and save images that resonate with your style or catch your eye. This board can then be shared with your designer and architect to assist with the design process.
Designing the kitchen
There are several aspects that contribute to the design of a kitchen and each of these need careful consideration to ensure the final result matches the initial vision.
Optimal kitchen layout
Establishing the ideal layout for cabinetry, appliances, electrical, plumbing, working areas and access points creates a functional and ergonomic kitchen.
Many factors contribute towards creating the optimal layout including your preferred cooking style, storage and other needs, as well as assessing the most suitable appliances.
Selecting the materials and finishes
This is where your vision takes on colour and texture. From cabinetry to bench tops, flooring to fixtures, every choice should align with your aesthetic goals and lifestyle needs. Your kitchen designer can help balance appeal, durability, practicality and cost to establish the perfect combination.
Kitchen Lighting
During this stage, work with your designer to create an electrical and lighting plan that allows for effective illumination of key preparation and cooking areas.
Think about task lighting for work areas, ambient lighting for atmosphere and accent lighting to showcase architectural details or artwork.
The plan will include details and specifications for all of these lighting components.
Free resource:
Planning your kitchen renovation thoughtfully will make the entire process more enjoyable and ensure a result you’ll love for years to come. Download my guide to read my top tips when renovating a kitchen:
Power points and smart home technology
When planning your space, consider practical elements like the placement of power points and the integration of smart home technology.
Functionality is key when determining the location and number of these fixtures. Think about how many power points you'll need and where they'll be most convenient.
As a general rule, I aim for at least one power point per work zone to accommodate small appliances. For longer benches, installing one at each end is ideal.
For specific areas like an appliance cabinet or coffee station, consider installing power points discreetly within the cabinet for ease of access.
With our increased reliance on technological devices, there is a growing trend towards creating charging or docking stations within the kitchen. One of the most popular ways is to dedicate a drawer specifically for charging devices.
Design documentation
Once the initial concept and schematic design have been finalised, it's time to create detailed drawings that will become part of the full set documentation.
The comprehensive documentation package will be used by the builder and trades to make and install the kitchen.
Plans are in 2D (that is, floor plan and elevations) however for better visualisation of the design, renders in 3D can help with understanding the design as well as specific aspects.
If you are ready to design your kitchen then begin with an interior design consultation.
Receive guidance, feedback and advice on your kitchen. Book via the link below:
I hope you have enjoyed this article. Please comment below if you have any questions or feedback or contact me via email.
Wishing you a wonderful day,
Grace
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