When our studio first opened in 2011, kitchens all seemed to be neutral in color, whether they were classic or contemporary,' says Tiffany Duggan. (Image credit: Harvey Jones / Darren Chung) 'Stumpy units with a meter of empty space above in a high-ceilinged room look unbalanced and it is usually better to fill the empty space with more cupboards, which can be used for storing infrequently-used items such as vases and terrines.' 8. 'It's best to run tall units up to the ceiling or just below, if they have coving,' says Tiffany Duggan. The specifics are going to be determined by the size and height of your room.Ī ‘standard’ kitchen cabinet is usually 600mm wide (although there are plenty of other options and of course bespoke allows for anything you want) we often start by plotting the room in terms of 600mm-wide sections simply to get some sense of scale. Alongside the style of cabinetry, do consider its proportions and aim to create some sense of symmetry by placing key features, such as a chimney breast framing a range cooker, as a central piece. Consider cabinetry proportion, scale and symmetryĭesigning a kitchen is a fine balance of practicality and aesthetics – with the impact of the bulk of the cabinetry an important element to consider. Given the level of investment, cabinetry is probably the one thing you don’t want to change, but you can always repaint the walls and replace the backsplash in the future if you wish,' advises Tiffany. 'With a contemporary flush (flat-fronted) kitchen, think about whether you see yourself liking it in the future. I’ve seen 20-year-old classic Shaker kitchens be repainted and look amazing,' continues Tiffany. ' Painted kitchens work particularly well for their timeless appeal and because they are so useful to repaint every now and then to create a different look and feel. If you love traditional kitchen ideas, think about the detailing on cabinetry. 'Gather images of kitchens that inspire you and start to hone your ideas, thinking about how they might suit your space, the joinery elsewhere in the house, and the period of your property.' Think about how it might relate not just to the living and dining areas, especially if it is part of an open plan space, but how it also fits with your overall plan for the house,' says interior designer Tiffany Duggan of Studio Duggan. 'The starting point is to consider how you want your kitchen to look and feel. Looking for kitchen cabinet ideas is the fun part of planning a kitchen. 'The area under the kitchen island’s countertop is also essential as it offers ample space for storage and kitchen essentials such as low fridges and deep drawers.' 5.

When placed in the center it should leave enough floor space for you to maneuver around and access the rest of the kitchen. 'Ensure you precisely measure your floor so that an island will fit comfortably within your space. 'When planning your kitchen be careful not to be over ambitious with freestanding elements,' says Ben Burbidge, Burbidge Kitchen Makers' Managing Director. With the kitchen coming under increasing pressure to perform a variety of crucial roles such as family dining, relaxing, working and entertaining, a good kitchen layout and adequate storage are more important than ever in planning a kitchen, but ensuring you can fit in everything you want depends on accurate measuring – something you will need to do before you visit a design professional, though if they come to you, you can hand this responsibility over to them.

Kitchen layout design