We’ll discuss selecting cabinets, doors, and countertops today. The next step is to arrange them on your plan, which can be done quickly and easily in Word.
Third Section of the Plan
Unit selection By now, you’ve probably shopped around at several different kitchen showrooms and narrowed down your options. If you’ve discovered a vendor that can match your needs, you should inquire about the available units (the dimensions of some units may vary depending on the producer).
For instance, certain corner base pieces are 925mm, whereas the depth of others is 950mm. Similarly, a 900mm 3-pan drawer base unit may be available from one vendor, while an 800mm 2-pan drawer base unit is only available from another.
It’s crucial to know this beforehand so that you don’t waste time making a layout only to find out that a unit you believed was available isn’t and won’t work with it. Not a problem; make sure the units in your preferred kitchen range are compatible.
The following choice, the cabinets’ material, and structure, will likely be determined by your available funds and the motivation behind the kitchen remodel. For the time being, I’m going to talk about chipboard cabinets instead of wood or custom options for kitchens. The term “vinyl-faced chipboard” (MFC) conjures up images of cheap, unstable, durable, and abundant building materials, but it accounts for roughly 95% of all UK kitchens. If you’re on a tighter budget or doing a Buy-to-Let, etc., go with 15mm board thickness; otherwise, opt for 18mm construction so the units have a solid back panel rather than a hardboard.
Ordering something online or from a big-box store will probably come in a flat box. There are several benefits to purchasing these pieces separately and putting them together yourself, even though they require a little more effort.
Doors o Once again, your financial constraints may dictate the type of door you choose. In contrast to the cabinets, which are often constructed of MFC, doors are typically fabricated from solid wood or vinyl/foil-covered MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard). As could be expected, MDF doors are often less expensive than solid wood doors, and they are available in a wide range of colors and treatments.
If you have kids, you might want a flat panel slab door or a Saponetta style (similar, but with a tapered edge, like a bar of soap) so messes can be cleaned quickly. Similarly, if you despise cleaning, you should avoid doors with many elaborate shapes and details (such as those in rustic farmhouses).
The space between your counters, wall cabinets (the “splashback”), and floors are all opportunities to create a unified aesthetic. Use these surfaces’ contrasting and complementary qualities to tie the rest of your design together.
I’ll explain. For example, a black granite color worktop and dark floor tile might be excellent in a kitchen with an oak door if offset by a lighter splashback tile that matches the walls. You may also use the opposite approach and contrast a black countertop with a bright floor.
Consider the quantity of natural light in your kitchen when deciding on paint colors for cabinets, countertops, floors, and other surfaces. It stands to reason that darker door colors (if preferred) can be used in rooms with more natural light. You’d need severe illumination to counteract the effect of walnut or mahogany-colored doors on an already dimly lit space.
The kitchen guide goes into greater depth on the topic of worktop materials. Still, you can pick between laminate, natural wood, natural stone (granite, marble, etc.), or simulated stone (e.g., Corian®). Compared to natural materials, modern laminate worktops are the most economical option yet highly durable. If you don’t know what you’re doing or don’t have access to the necessary tools, it’s best to hire a professional to install your worktops.
Word makes it simple to draw out your blueprint.
o After reading the kitchen manual, you’ll have no trouble creating detailed floor designs in Word. Put away your other, more difficult design programs. CAD or similar software is not something you need to learn. In just 10 minutes, I can teach you how to use this software to create stunning blueprints.
Get the floor and walls set up first. After you have a general idea of where the appliances will go, the following step is to arrange the base units. Now that you know the units your supplier offers, all you can do is fill in the blanks where the appliances will sit. Larders and other tall appliance housing should be the first pieces drawn in for an installation since they are most easily placed at the beginning or end of a row of cabinets.
Mark where your appliances and base cabinets will go, then go on to the wall cabinets. Placing a wall unit the same size as the base unit directly above it creates the most aesthetically pleasing appearance. Alternately, if you can, at least attempt to create the impression of symmetry, like in the case of a row of basic units:
The combined depth of the wine rack, drawers, and pull-out base is 1200mm.
Above this, I could put a pair of 600mm wall units for a total of 1200mm. It’s visually attractive without appearing random.
Or perhaps:
500mm base unit followed by 600mm base unit followed by 500mm base unit, for a total of 2200mm
Above this, I might put:
Dresser (500mm) 600mm Box with Glazed Top (600mm) Dresser (500m). All, 2200 mm
If you’ve been following the kitchen guide, try sketching these out in Microsoft Word, and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
If installing a freestanding fridge and a freezer, you should separate them with a worktop support panel. (Also, use these panels at the end of an open run of the worktop if there isn’t a unit to hold it underneath).
Decorations and flooring We’ve already talked about flooring, but to recap: you may utilize it to enhance or contrast the look of your countertops and walls. Here, we’ll discuss a few possibilities and briefly list their benefits and drawbacks:
Ceramic tiles are long-lasting and inexpensive, but they’re not great for young children because they’re not forgiving if they fall.
Beautiful in appearance but vulnerable to damage from high heels and dog claws, natural wood may be pretty pricey.
Laminate flooring has several positive qualities: it is durable, water-resistant, and inexpensive (though you should be wary of highly cheap items), and it can be made to seem like ceramic tiles or natural wood.
When compared to other flooring options, linoleum can look old yet inexpensive.
Carpet: cozy underfoot, but a poor choice for a kitchen due to its propensity to trap dirt and grime.
Specialty flooring options include Karndean®, which comes in various designs and has custom borders to highlight elements like an island. Laying and purchasing might be pricey.
o The interior design may be decided upon after the kitchen and flooring have been installed. However, pulling out the paint charts for a more unified feel would be best while choosing a door and countertop colors.
You may build basic but accurate kitchen plans with nothing more than Microsoft Word by visiting Basic Kitchen Design, where a complete guide explaining how to do so is available for free download.
ICON Kitchens is a UK-based online kitchen supply company, and Hywel Merrett is the company’s Managing Director.
Read also: Distant Backup Service Providers – Exactly what is the Difference?