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Key things to keep in mind when renovating your kitchen
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Stephanie Akkaoui Hughes
Architect, author, international speaker, Founder and CEO of AKKA Architects, Stephanie is part of a new breed of young visionary architects who operate beyond the nowadays restrained realm of architecture. A strong advocate of value created through crossdisciplinary interactions. She believes that the most sustainable innovation will happen at the intersection of different fields. Stephanie believes that space can be used as a strategic tool to drive business growth, individuals advancement, and social impact. In addition, Stephanie serves on the advisory & executive boards of a number of business & creative organizations, including the Stimuleringsfunds Creative Industry in the Netherlands and Ebbf the international business forum. AKKA Architects is an architecture and design studio based in Amsterdam, specialized in designing spaces that foster innovation. As your architect, we believe it is our responsibility to immerse ourselves into your specific needs and wishes, to understand your current and future lifestyles, and furthermore, help you imagine and define what your vision for your future is. We do not limit our scope at simply translating your ideas into space. We aim to enrich your ideas, add to them, help you explore them further. At AKKA, we believe it is our responsibility to help you create, enrich and sharpen your vision before we start creating the space that will embody it.Read more

Key things to keep in mind when renovating your kitchen

Jan 28, 2022

Due to the simple fact that building or renovating a house gets more expensive over time, functional spaces - kitchens especially - have started to follow the “maximising utility with minimum space” concept. If you are constructing or renovating your new home and find yourself fighting for space, a modular kitchen might be your best bet.

The furnishing you choose for your kitchen plays a very important role; its design is essential for creating an uncluttered, spacious and functional home. There are lots of models available on the market for modular kitchens currently, but if you are looking to create your dream kitchen, you need to be able to decide on the perfect one for you.

Apart from opting for a kitchen that is resistant to wear and tear, there are more factors you might not have considered. So, what should you keep in mind when designing your dream kitchen?

Storage

First and foremost, the thing to keep in mind whilst constructing your dream kitchen is to maximise storage and accessibility. All your utensils and equipment should be within reach and yet all your workspaces should be uncluttered. Designing a kitchen with efficient storage solutions will give you maximum use of every space possible.

In particular, try to utilise the space above your countertops; these improve your kitchens’ storage capacity, ensuring you have enough space to use the kitchen freely and with ease. There are a wide variety of fixtures you could go with to achieve this, including drawers, shelves, wall-mounted units and base units. You could even add a blend of open and closed cabinets, shelves, and drawers. Another potential option is to install ceiling-mounted racks - these could be used to hang herbs, flowerpots, or other utensils.

Aesthetics and customisation

When choosing the storage options for your kitchen, opt for sleek and functional designs that maximise every bit of space available in your kitchen. Making this a priority will result in a properly functioning kitchen in which there is room for everything, without making it look overcrowded or cluttered.

The range of options available on the market is huge, with modular storage available in a wide variety of themes, shapes, sizes and colours. Opting for a modular kitchen would give you the freedom to customise your design whilst not compromising on durability - it is as important that your kitchen’s design suits you as it is that it is functional.

Convenience

For many people, the kitchen is a space where they spend a lot of their time at home. This is why convenience is a primary factor that needs to be considered while designing your kitchen. It should be constructed specifically to be able to adapt to any needs you might have for your space. Modular kitchens could very well be your go-to as they offer sleek and convenient solutions to maximise your space, especially in this day and age where space is often lacking. Their excellent storage options make them a very smart choice when it comes to convenience and organisation.

Modular kitchens provide more than enough storage capacity for items like cooking utensils, cutlery, and containers. Avoiding clutter around your kitchen makes surfaces considerably easier to clean on a daily basis. Sleek, clear surfaces are not only aesthetically appealing but also offer more comfortable maintenance. Opting for a modular kitchen could help you save time, money, and effort whilst also providing comfort and, of course, style.

Ease of installation

Opt for furniture that combines ease with accessibility. Choose furniture which can be readily adjusted or disassembled and then easily put together again. These features are beneficial in case of maintenance or when wanting to shift things around in your kitchen.

Your furniture should be practical in design, and the putting together of the components should be doable if and when required. Opt for furniture that unites convenience, usability, storage, and aesthetics. Finally, when choosing your kitchen components, opt for a mix of different fixtures and units.

Wall-mounted units work well in smaller kitchens, maximising the amount of room available as it utilises vertical spaces. They allow for easy accessibility and visibility. Base units can be used to store heavier kitchen items under your work surfaces, making good use of the leftover spaces as well. You can even opt for pull out cabinets which are especially effective in the corners of your kitchen spaces. These utilise the negative space that otherwise might have been hard to make use of, and offer the perfect space to store jars and such.

Make sure that whatever units you opt for, they are made of durable materials. After all, the kitchen is a space where a great deal of the action in the home takes place.

By Stephanie Akkaoui Hughes