10 kitchen planning tips

Work out how you are most comfortable moving about the kitchen and start planning the positioning of units
It’s surprising to find that 66% of new kitchen buyers surveyed were dissatisfied with the amount of storage they had after installing a new kitchen. The same goes for positioning of units and services. The main thing is assess your lifestyle and needs and start planning from there.
- Think about the size and shape of the room and how to best use it.
- Work out how you are most comfortable moving about the kitchen and start planning the positioning of units
- Make sure you have the correct services in position – for instance if planning a hob on an island unit work out how the extraction is going to be fitted.
- Think of each cabinet as having a dedicated function just as an oven, dishwasher or refrigerator has.
- Ensure that there are no fixed shelves in base units – all internal storage must be able to be pulled out for total visibility and accessibility even for items stored at the very back or bottom.
- Plan your storage around the zones of activity – cleaning material near the sink, pots and pans near the hob etc.
- Install flexible internal organisational systems to make best use of storage – remember to think in three dimensions i.e. in terms of the volume of the cabinet not just the floor area of each drawer.
- Make sure your lighting is carefully planned to give focused working lights in particular zones as well as ambient and mood lighting – LED is the way to go.
- Make sure all units above worktop level are easily accessible and enclosed to your taste – tambour doors are popular for hiding away mobile appliances but still having them close to hand. Leave your surfaces clutter-free.
- Pay extra for fittings that give super movement – electrically automated opening is getting very popular, soft-close is a must and overhead lift systems should be effortless and always reachable. Always ensure that drawers and pull-outs are fitted with full extension runners.
Blum products are found in all good kitchens. For more information on Blum please visit www.blum.co.uk. Find your nearest retailer here
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