Here are some simple design ideas that I like to use for my clients when designing their kitchens. You might find one or two that you hadn’t considered before that will improve the function of your space.

Add a drinks area

If you have the space consider including a small area dedicated to making drinks both hot and cold. I like to include a small sink and a near-boiling water tap which not only means you don’t need a kettle (one less appliance to store) but can also mean you have instant chilled and sparkling water as well if you go for a model like the one linked below. Add in a beverage fridge if you have the space, then it really is a one-stop drinks space.

This kitchen features a dedicated drinks area with a near-boiling tap for tea and coffee. It’s close to the fridge which is handy for getting the milk out for tea and coffee.

Use an automated opening system for your rubbish bin

I really like to use the Blum Servo Drive Uno on rubbish bin drawers so that you can easily open and close the drawer without having to touch it with your hands. Perfect when you have sticky, dirty hands (I’m thinking raw chicken!). Simply nudge the drawer with your knee and it glides open with a motorised mechanism then another knee nudge to close it – perfect. This is probably the one small kitchen feature that my clients get most excited about believe it or not!

Choose a Silent Rangehood

There’s nothing worse than an open plan kitchen with an extractor that sounds like a jet engine. If you want to be able to conduct a conversation while you’re cooking then a great idea is a remote motor extraction unit. My favourite is the Schweigen undermounted range because I usually design concealed rangehoods (meaning those inside cabinetry) rather than make the rangehood a feature of the design. Your builder will need to vent the unit and mount the motor on an outside wall or the roof (a certain distance away from the kitchen) depending on the best option for your house. Because the motor is away from the actual unit, when it’s running you won’t be able to hear it even though it will still do a good job of taking the steam, grease and smells away from the cooking area. This would always be my first choice in an open plan space if budget allows.

Schweigen Silent Rangehood

Add some perfect storage for vegetables

Another thing I like to add to kitchen designs when I can is some wicker drawers to store vegetables such as onions and potatoes at room temperature. The wicker allows for ventilation around the veges prolonging their shelf life, and they look cute too!

This kitchen has some basket drawers hidden behind a cupboard door beside the pantry.

Banish the ugly microwave

Microwaves are often a tricky appliance to find a home for, especially if you’re someone who uses one frequently so you don’t want it tucked away. A great way around this is to have a second oven that is actually a combi model – so not only a microwave but also doubles as a regular oven as well. This way it looks like a regular oven (instead of the usually funny looking little microwave) so can sit above your oven in a stack, or beside your oven if it’s underbench. People will often want a second oven anyway, so in this case it’s a win-win and you get around the need to find another space for a microwave.

This oven arrangement on the right shows a microwave combi above a regular oven.

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If you’re planning a renovation and would like to talk about your project in more detail, then please get in touch, I’d be happy to talk to you about it.

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Five of my favourite design ideas for your kitchen