Kitchens
Aptly named the heart of the home, kitchens have become social gathering areas whilst cooking and preparing meals and it is for this reason that the aesthetics have become just as important as its functional qualities. The kitchen is also the make-or-break room when it comes to selling your home.
Surfaces and walls
Work surfaces in a kitchen have three requirements. They should be strong, easy to clean and should fit in with the décor of the kitchen. The most popular choices for countertops include stainless steel and natural elements such as bamboo and granite. Steel is durable, hygienic and heat and rust resistant, but it can scratch quite easily. Melamine is the cheapest option; however, it isn’t scratch and heat resistant. Wood is a durable work surface that can be sanded and resealed if it gets damaged. Granite is resistant to heat, easy to keep clean and available in a variety of colour combinations. Kitchen walls must be washable and easy to clean; they should stand up to steam, heat and water. The most affordable finishes are ceramic tiles and waterproof paint, but marble, travertine and glass tiles create a luxurious, contemporary look.
Kitchen Floors
In the kitchen where anything can fall on the floor, it is vitally important to select a floor that is durable and hard-wearing. The hardest floor surfaces are: cement, ceramic tiles and natural stone tiles. Wood has remained a top choice over the years and bamboo has become increasingly popular as it is very strong and is water resistant. Laminated floors can start looking a bit tacky if they are not a quality product.
Lighting
Good kitchen lighting does not create shadows, therefore the best lighting solution in the kitchen is down-lighting placed in various locations in the kitchen, such as under built-in cupboards and cleverly placed in the ceiling. Well-positioned spot lights are also a good solution. The whole idea is that is must be functional, but also contribute to the atmosphere.
Storage Space
The kitchen is a very busy area in the house and can easily become cluttered. Organised storage space is the way to go and is especially important in an open plan area. Built-in appliances such as the microwave will also save you space. Keep your counters open by only displaying the essential appliances. Regular unpacking and sorting will be necessary if you want to maintain a comfortable and functional kitchen.
Colour
Kitchen décor follows the trends in the fashion world, and this means that the kitchens are becoming more retro. More colourfulness is coming into the kitchen. Warm reds and oranges are back in a big way. In a small kitchen, these colours might be overwhelming, so rather use them as accent colours in accessories. A white or neutral colour scheme is timeless and always looks chic and hygienic. Cool colours such as blue and green are not always good choices for kitchens because they are colder colours and do not really promote sociability. Black and white is very fashionable and can be cleverly used in the kitchen.
Kitchen table in the centre is very social
Today the kitchen has become a social area and so the kitchen table is back. Trend setters for kitchen predict that it will be around for a while. If you have the space, consider investing in a good quality table for your kitchen. With so many choices and important decisions, choosing the right kitchen company to design and install your new kitchen is essential.
Get quotes on Kitchens & Built-In-Cupboards from 3Q today.