The kitchen is the heart of your home – where you cook, eat and entertain. It is important to design your kitchen perfectly so that it is functional and comfortable, yet beautiful. The question is, where do you start? At Torbitts in Northern Ireland, our wonderful design team will take you through the entire process to ensure your kitchen in County Antrim meets your needs and reflects your personal style.
Start by defining the goals and expectations of your kitchen in Co. Antrim
The first step in designing your perfect kitchen is to take a step back and consider these questions.
- What do you want to achieve with your kitchen in County Antrim?
- Do you have any kitchen must-haves and deal-breakers?
- Is there a budget for your County Antrim kitchen?
- What is your desired timeframe?
There are additional aspects of your kitchen to consider before starting the design process. For example, if you are interested in cooking and love to get creative in the kitchen, you must factor this into your kitchen design. In addition, if you have a large family or like to entertain you need to prioritise this space.
These factors will determine the layout, appliances and storage solutions for your perfect kitchen in County Antrim.
Next, consider the layout of your new kitchen in County Antrim
The layout of your kitchen in County Antrim is crucial to its functionality.
Traditionally, we advise customers to consider the ‘work triangle’ of their kitchen. This is the connection between the oven, sink and fridge in your kitchen – the three main zones of the kitchen and cooking. Of course, there might be additional work zones for you to consider in your kitchen – such as a preparation area or coffee bar. These ‘zones’ will form the basis of your kitchen design in County Antrim and determine where you go next.
The layout of your new kitchen will also inform the overall flow. You must make sure that there is enough space accounted for in your kitchen for moving around, and that there are no obstacles or obstructions in the way. There are many additional elements to consider on top of this, such as the height and depth of countertops, cabinets and appliances. This is because they will affect the overall comfort and ease of use of your kitchen.
It’s time to get creative in the kitchen
Once you have the basics (functions, layout, goals) confirmed, it’s time to get creative in your County Antrim kitchen. The third step along the way is to select your kitchen appliances and fixtures. These will have a great impact on the overall functionality and style of your space.
When considering which appliances and fixtures to include, you need to think about how you use your kitchen. This is a particularly personal element of your kitchen design. We advise our customers to analyse how they use their kitchen closely in the weeks leading up to your kitchen design – this will help you identify your must-haves and the elements you don’t need.
Your preferences are also a key player in the appliances and fixtures of your kitchen in County Antrim. For example, do you require a double oven? Do you prefer a stainless steel or colourful finish on your appliances? It is crucial to select appliances that fit your personal needs and reflect the overall style of your kitchen, and by extension, your entire home.
Don’t forget the kitchen sink!
An appliance that our customers often forget to consider when designing their kitchen is the sink and tap. These are appliances and fixtures that are used frequently in your kitchen and should therefore be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
You must select a sink that fits your cooking and cleaning needs, and a tap that complements the overall design scheme of your other appliances and overall kitchen design.
The nitty gritty details – materials and finishes
Once your overall kitchen design has been considered and you have selected the larger appliances you will include, it is time to get into the nitty-gritty details. Next, we will consider the materials and finishes you will use across your kitchen design. This will include the cabinetry, worktops, backsplash, flooring and lighting.
Your kitchen cabinets are the most significant visual element of your kitchen, so it is essential that you choose a style and finish that compliments the overall design of your space. As well as this, it is important to choose a cabinet style that you love because, at the end of the day, it is you who will see it every day!
Moving on to your worktops, they should be both practical and beautiful. There should be enough space for food preparation and cooking, whilst also being easy to clean and stain-resistant. No one should have to cry over a spilt glass of red wine – it should be easily cleaned!
Choosing the right backsplash for your County Antrim kitchen
The backsplash for your kitchen in County Antrim should also complement the design scheme you have selected with the cabinets and worktops. This is also your opportunity to add a pop of colour or texture if you wish. Your backsplash is a great way to get creative with your kitchen design whilst keeping it subtle. As well as this, your backsplash is a protectant for your walls from cooking splatters – consider how easy certain materials are to clean in comparison to others.
The final elements of your kitchen in County Antrim are the flooring and lighting solutions. Kitchen flooring should be durable and slip-resistant, with a texture and colour scheme that ties the room together. The lighting should also be functional and create an atmosphere that fits the overall scheme of your kitchen – task lighting, ambience and accents should all be considered.
And voila… It’s time to put it all together!
The final step in your kitchen design process is to put it all together. Ensure everything works together seamlessly, with a cohesive style and colour scheme throughout the space. You should also have fun with accessories, and include any personal touches you want to add.
At the end of the day, it is important to remember that your kitchen is a dynamic, fast-paced space. It will evolve over time with your needs and tastes, and it is important to be open to making changes to your home as your lifestyle switches. Don’t forget to have fun with it and experiment!