1. The ideal kitchen for happy cooking
Whatever you attempt to do, proper tools play a crucial role. A well designed
kitchen can transform cooking from duty into pleasure. For years I had to make
do with a small cubicle. Then we built a house and I was able to design my own
kitchen. Now Ilove to cook for my family and friends.
Knowing basic principles about kitchen design can be useful at any time.
Sometimes changing the place of appliances can make a big difference.
Whether renovating a kitchen or planning a new one: Do not to rely on
architects or professional kitchen planners. They cannot know the habits and
requirements of your family as you do. Only you can understand what you
really need and what fits you and your budget.
A functional kitchen improves your life
When we decided to build a house I purchased a lot of books about kitchen
design. It is advisable to rely on literature as most of the websites about
kitchen design are heavily influenced by advertisement. I cannot recommend
any of them.
When planning your kitchen first ask yourself what you really need. Do you
like to bake and roast or do you prefer fried and boiled food? How much
fridge space do you require? How many sinks do you need? Is there 1 cook in
your kitchen or do you want enough space for 2 or more cooks? Do you want
to have breakfast and simple meals in your kitchen or do you want to use it
for cooking only?
Choosing the right equipment:
After having placed the triangle on the layout of your kitchen, decide how to
place the other appliances. The dishwasher should always be situated directly
next to the sink. There are plenty of options for cooking ranges, wall mounted
ovens and integrated cook tops. The main question is: Do you want to cook with
gas or electricity? Once you have chosen, get information about available
appliances. The vent hood should always be located on an outside wall so the
fumes are blown directly outside. If the way is too long or twisted, a hood will
never work properly.
Having enough fridge space is essential. As a rule of thumb you need half a cubic
meter (500 liters) for the first two family members and another 0.04 cubic meters
(40 liters) for every additional family member.
Kitchen cabinets:
The cabinets influence the look of your kitchen. What you choose depends on your budget and your taste. Keep in mind
that cabinet surfaces should be easy to clean and resistant to water. If you choose wood for the customized cabinet
doors, be careful to purchase seasoned wood. If wood is too fresh it will change shape while drying. Avoid open shelving
as much as possible: Dust will settle everywhere.
The Ideal Kitchen
for Happy Cooking