Kitchen design: Is the kitchen the heart of a home?

The modern day kitchen has now become a focal point in homes, consisting of kitchen design elements such as island units, breakfast bars and an open plan space, which is a complete contrast compared to its more traditional, functional and humble origins.

The evolution of the purpose of a kitchen

A hundred years ago, a kitchens main purpose of existence was for food prep and little else. Found in the back of the house, it was no place for people to congregate and do anything else but cook. However, step into a kitchen showroom in London today and see for yourself how kitchens have evolved. They have become a statement, a central hub in a home, re-purposed as a place not only designed for cooking but also as a social space.

The kitchen is now a multi-purpose room that reflects the wide variety of needs and functions for each user that occupies the space. It is the most used room in a house and is woven into the social aspect of everyday life. It is a peaceful place for kids to do homework, a chilled place for friends to hang out, a romantic place for someone to show off their cooking skills to their date, and let’s not forget its primary use, a place for family and friends to enjoy good food.

Designing a kitchen for you

Kitchen design has become a crucial expression of a home owner’s sense of style. The interior design of a kitchen can range from cute and cosy, to chic and modern, or to something clean and professional looking. Although the main components of a kitchen have not deterred much from its basic functionalities  –  hot/cold, clean/dirty, working/eating – the design choices to customising it for different needs is endless.

When it comes to designing your kitchen, you need to think about placement for your utensils, crockery and cutlery. Those custom mugs you were gifted will need a shelf to sit on and your kitchen design should be favourable so that you have space for all of the accessories that you need in your kitchen. There are some excellent kitchen storage ideas out there and you can really get creative with where you put your favourite pieces.

There are many tools available that enable homeowners to visualise and get a feel for the different types of kitchen designs out there. Design trends come and go, and the same can be said for kitchen design trends. However, the most sustainable and long term design plan to consider, is to ensure that the kitchen design works you for, and is personalised for your individual needs.

What this means for kitchen designers

Elements such as material choice, colour scheme, and integrated appliances all play a crucial part in creating a perfect aesthetic which matches the home and the home dwellers. Bespoke kitchen designers have seen an increase in demand over the recent years due to the fact that people are spoilt for choice, and their job is to collate the choices into something physical that fits into a home flawlessly.

Designers must learn to be versatile as they must take on board all the new tangible and intangible demands homeowners want from their kitchens. What once was a tucked away room, has now transformed into a central space, the heart of a home, and designers must accommodate that shift and change.

(Disclosure: Post in association with Elan Kitchens)

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