Kitchen

Features for the Dream Kitchen Layout

In the mood board above we have included photos of the general kitchen layout ideas. You have the u shaped layout as seen in pictures (1) & (2), the L shaped kitchen (3), and the galley kitchen (4) (5). This post is going to focus on features that can be included in your kitchen. Things that will determine its layout:

The Dinner Table: One of the biggest factors of your kitchen layout will be how you will want the dining arrangement to be. You have options like having an open kitchen plan (separated by a kitchen bar?), keeping dining in a separate room, having an elegant long table for an eat in setting like in picture (6), or wanting to create a kitchen nook for booth style dining (7).

Island Layout Ideas: If you have a lot of space to play with, a kitchen island is always a great feature to have. Even if you have a small kitchen, a small and simple side table can work wonders as an island. But for those that have the space, a built in kitchen island can be used for more than just a countertop and storage. Having leg space allows for seating (8), you can also have the cooker fitted here (9), a sink (10), or even a fridge at the base (11). There are chandeliers available that can hang over the island and will also act as a pot rack.

Bar: A kitchen breakfast bar can be a standalone unit or be a continuation of an L or U shaped kitchen design layout (12) (Cooking Time: U Shaped Kitchen Designs and Ideas).

Peninsular Work Station: A peninsular is a worktop that sticks out into the room forming part of an L or U shaped kitchen. The difference between this and a kitchen bar is that the bar will have leg space (and the countertop could be raised) while a peninsular will have storage at the base.

Desk: If you want to have a convenient space to do paper work, then look to fit a desk into the layout as seen in picture (13).

Command Center: A command center can be set up on a wall to track daily tasks. Check out our post here (Ideas for Setting up a Family Command Center in the Kitchen) for ideas like using chalkboards and calendars to create a kitchen command center. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13

February 17, 2013 in Kitchen

Beautiful Spaces: Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas

The kitchen island is not just a great place for preparing food, but it can also be used to do paperwork, kid’s homework, or eat and drink from. Because of all of the things you can do here you’ll want to have localized lighting – lights that are focused onto the kitchen island.

The best lighting ideas are the ones that bring the light closer down to the countertop surface. Ideas include a single or multi bulb pendant light as seen in pictures (1) (2) (3), adjustable pendant lighting, or a chandelier that also acts as a pot rack (4). If you already have recessed lights above the kitchen island, then a great way of adding pendant lights without doing any wiring is to use pendant light adapters. These simply screw into any normal ceiling light socket.

Other kitchen island lighting ideas and options include using track lights (the kind where each light can be angled differently (5)) or if you have a plug socket on the island how about using a desk lamp (6). 1/2/3/4/5/6

For lighting ideas for the rest of the kitchen have a look at our post here: Kitchen Lighting Ideas Mood Board and Inspiration.

February 17, 2013 in Kitchen, Lighting

French Kitchen Decor and Designs Mood Board

The mood board above includes pictures of French country kitchen designs along with more modern French kitchen decor styles. Here are just some quick pointers and ideas when designing a kitchen around this style:

These kitchens are quite bright places – you won’t see black or dark brown cabinets or colored ones. White walls are the way to go with splashes of pasel shades around the space. When it comes to the sink, it is white rounded porcelain, along with traditional styled faucets with porcelain handles

The French country style is quite fashionably rustic. You’ll see lots of raw materials like wooden farm style tables and copper pots and accessories, but then there hangs a chandelier. What’s a country styled kitchen without some greenery brightening up the space. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11

February 17, 2013 in Kitchen

Decorating The Windows With These Kitchen Curtain Ideas

Here are some different curtains styles you can use in the kitchen.

Divide: Break up the window space. Have a half curtain on the bottom of the window for privacy, and keep the top open or have decorative valances. A valance adds some shade but is more of a decorative feature.

Layering: Use a combination of white blinds and curtains to have more control of the sun light coming through and privacy.

Styles: If you want a more modern style then look for straight curtains with no added decorative parts (like the yellow and white ones above – think IKEA curtains). Traditional curtains are more decorative, drape like, with tie backs and valances (French Kitchen Décor and Designs Mood Board).

An important thing to keep in mind when looking at these kitchen curtain ideas is that the color and style you choose will impact the overall color palette of the room. So you’ll want to make sure they don’t clash with the color and design of the cabinets, walls, floors, etc. Have a look here for different kitchen color ideas and schemes: A Palette Guide for Kitchen Color Schemes: Decor and Paint Ideas. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10