Interior design help for everyone.
Where to start when designing your kitchen? I always start by collecting images from Houzz and Pinterest - such amazing resources! but lets see what IKEA's kitchen designer does! IKEA Kitchen designer and stylist Janine Love answers your kitchen design questions... Where do you start first? All images courtesy of Ikea Collect a folder of images and pretty soon you start to see a pattern or consistency in your choices. Put notes on the images to remind you what you liked about it. ie. the backsplash tile, the cabinet colour/style etc. It’s also important to think about the overall aesthetics of the kitchen space and how that vision will work within your home. Today, many homes have open concept layouts. All of the adjacent spaces should relate to each other from a style, colour and material perspective. Think about what style and colours you relate to, and use this as a guide. Which is a cupboard style that is timeless? Great question, because typically a kitchen renovation is one most people save up for and don’t undertake very often. Choosing a timeless door style will allow you to update it occasionally with new accessories, lighting and accent colours. While it’s important to keep your kitchen current, it doesn't need to follow every trend that comes along. I like to use a Shaker style door, such as ÄDEL – it’s transitional and can be used in many different styles of homes. It also has a chameleon-like quality that allows it to take on both a modern or traditional look depending on what it is paired with. Organization – How to prevent counter clutter? My number 1 mantra for preventing counter clutter is “A place for everything and everything in its place!” I know this is easier to say than to do, but if everything has a designated home, then it is more likely to be put away. Here are a few examples to help with clutter management: 1. Take advantage of ceiling heights and utilize upper cabinets that meet the ceiling. Store seldom used items on top shelves. 2. Store all cooking utensils in a jar/ vessel on the counter. The jar will contain frequently used items, and doesn't take up much counter space. A well selected vessel will also add a little personality to your kitchen. 3. Create a “garage” to corral all small appliances, utilizing IKEA’s roll front cabinets - ensure this meets building codes. 4. Edit and clean out your drawers at least a couple of times a year. Do you really need 4 ladles and 78 mugs? 5. Designate 1 miscellaneous drawer for papers, supplies, erasers etc. Everybody deserves to have a “messy drawer” where one cannot be judged. Make sure drawer organizers are utilized to keep even messy items in place. 6. Install under cabinet rail systems to save space, hang up items within easy reach and get things up off of the counter. 7. Allow a catch all tray or basket on the counter, and be committed to sorting the items and putting things back into their designated home. 8. Look for opportunities to mount open shelving or hooks. 9. Mount a large cork or magnetic board (preferably behind a door) to house all notices important papers, photographs, and children’s artwork. 10. Keep small appliances off the counter and arrange in a Lazy Susan lower cabinet solution. 11. Utilize wire pullout baskets for deep cabinets, making stored items more accessible. Tips for inexpensive refresh? 1. Changing the knobs on your kitchen cabinetry can give an instant lift and provide the finishing touch. 2. Upgrade your lighting. Create a new focal point by replacing an existing pendant lamp with a dynamic, show stopping fixture. Or revisit bulb wattage to ensure optimal lighting levels. 3. Paint is your best friend. Refreshing a room with paint not only maintains a space, it offers an opportunity to inject an “of the moment” colour. 4. If some of your cabinet doors are looking a bit tired, selectively remove some of the uppers. Wallpaper or paint the back of the cabinet to create a whimsical unfitted kitchen look. 5. Line all of your drawers and shelves with RATIONELL drawer liners. The non-slip surface is easy to clean and helps keep items in their place. 6. Fresh cut flowers or potted herbs always brighten a kitchen space. 7. Add under counter work lighting to provide an even, glare-free light. 8. Splurge on a marble tile backsplash. A small area can be less expensive than you think. How best to design galley style kitchens? A galley style kitchen offers work and storage areas on both sides. Its efficient layoutmakes it ideal for apartments and small spaces. Regardless of the scale of a galley kitchen, you’ll want to maximize the work surface as much as possible. Therefore appliance placement is crucial so that each “work function” is not placed directly next to or opposite each other. For example, if the sink and dishwasher are placed on one wall, the opposite wall should include stove and fridge, with counter space allowance on either side of each appliance. Remember that an oven and dishwasher should be positioned so they can freely be opened, not opposite to each other. Keep things looking light and spacious by considering the use of light coloured upper cabinets, simple clean hardware and good task lighting. Best layouts for appliances. How can I create the perfect “work triangle” in my kitchen to keep it functional, yet stylish? A well planned kitchen helps to make kitchen work easier and more enjoyable. Kitchens can be divided into 3 primary work areas; the refrigerator, the stove and the sink. The “Working triangle” consists of a logical ergonomic arrangement of these 3 areas to make kitchen work easier and more efficient. If the 3 work areas are too close to each other, multiple people working in the space can get in each other’s way. Too far away and your work becomes time-consuming. Each leg of the working triangle should measure between 5 to 11 feet in length, with the total length of all 3 legs being 16 to 32 feet. Needless to say, it is very important to consider the placement of your appliances during the planning process. There is so much to consider when updating your kitchen. Give these tips a try or contact me for a custom kitchen that you'll be proud of for years to come! Email: info@jilsoniainteriors.com Virtual Interior design help throughout Canada and USA
2 Comments
Alphonse Seward
12/21/2018 05:15:33 pm
I had the pleasure and good fortune to work with Jill recently on a multi famil project in Maple Ridge. Jill’s input has been invaluable. Her approach is very professional as her her results, Jill is a classy, intelligent creative person, the value of her contributions far exceeds her fee. Inhighly recommend Jill.
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12/21/2018 05:35:51 pm
Oh thank you Alphonse, it was a true joy working with you and Anne!
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Author:Jil Sonia McDonald - Interior Designer of Jil Sonia Interior Designs. Archives
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