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5 Ideas to Steal From These Designer Kitchens
Borrow from the experts with five innovations that will make your new kitchen look and work better
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As you’d expect, designer kitchens lead the way in technical advancements, innovative designs and rigorous product testing, resulting in timeless spaces that are guaranteed to make life easier and bring a satisfied smile to their owner’s face. So, just what is the secret behind these incredibly efficient and stylish spaces?
We caught up with the experts at Poliform, including Gino Sang Ho, and Meredith Ong, who head up the team in Sydney, to ask their top tips on key kitchen elements worth considering at the design stage. Ong suggests clever storage, ‘smart’ appliances and customisation are important fundamentals for creating a special kitchen that’s uniquely individual. “At the design stage, we consider the individual client, get to know them and understand their needs. Making sure their kitchen is practical while still maintaining aesthetic sensibility is key.”
So, before committing to your layout plans, take on board these notes from the experts and your new kitchen will be up there with the very best.
We caught up with the experts at Poliform, including Gino Sang Ho, and Meredith Ong, who head up the team in Sydney, to ask their top tips on key kitchen elements worth considering at the design stage. Ong suggests clever storage, ‘smart’ appliances and customisation are important fundamentals for creating a special kitchen that’s uniquely individual. “At the design stage, we consider the individual client, get to know them and understand their needs. Making sure their kitchen is practical while still maintaining aesthetic sensibility is key.”
So, before committing to your layout plans, take on board these notes from the experts and your new kitchen will be up there with the very best.
Multifunctional (and Big) Kitchen Islands
Islands are the go-to design element for any kitchen that’s lucky enough to have the space, but have you considered just how to maximise the efficiency of this useful area? Not only can it provide a nifty dining spot, it can also function as the workhorse of the kitchen. Think space for a hob, sink, food preparation station and endless storage underneath it.
Then there’s the dimensions of the island to think about. If you have the room, utilise it by super-sizing your design. You’ll double the bench space and create tons of storage opportunities below for things like built-in bins, dishwasher drawers, wine cabinets and convenient open shelving.
Choose clever appliances for ultra-efficiency. Research appliances thoroughly before you buy to make the best choice for your space. “More of our clients are choosing downdraft extraction appliances for their island units, instead of traditional range hoods, as they rise up out of the benchtop when in use and sit completely flush with the surface when not,” says Ong. While Sang Ho suggests looking at intelligent surfaces for your island “that incorporate wireless charging for devices, are non-porous and scratch-resistant, and are light and multi-functional.”
Islands are the go-to design element for any kitchen that’s lucky enough to have the space, but have you considered just how to maximise the efficiency of this useful area? Not only can it provide a nifty dining spot, it can also function as the workhorse of the kitchen. Think space for a hob, sink, food preparation station and endless storage underneath it.
Then there’s the dimensions of the island to think about. If you have the room, utilise it by super-sizing your design. You’ll double the bench space and create tons of storage opportunities below for things like built-in bins, dishwasher drawers, wine cabinets and convenient open shelving.
Choose clever appliances for ultra-efficiency. Research appliances thoroughly before you buy to make the best choice for your space. “More of our clients are choosing downdraft extraction appliances for their island units, instead of traditional range hoods, as they rise up out of the benchtop when in use and sit completely flush with the surface when not,” says Ong. While Sang Ho suggests looking at intelligent surfaces for your island “that incorporate wireless charging for devices, are non-porous and scratch-resistant, and are light and multi-functional.”
Outstanding Storage
Everyone knows how important good, efficient storage is in ensuring a kitchen performs at its best, but it’s the unique innovative solutions that ensure a space performs outstandingly. “A designer kitchen addresses storage with unexpected solutions to maximise space, such as deeper drawers, slender pull-out cabinets and mechanised shelves that utilise corner elements,” says Sang Ho.
Such customised and personalised storage solutions like these, that have been designed to suit your lifestyle needs, are definitely worth investing in. For example, a concealed coffee machine station will neatly disguise all your barista paraphernalia, while customised drawer inserts will keep everything in view.
“Good, well-organised storage is a must,” says Ong. “Think about everything you own and make sure that the large bulky items, like a mix master, have a place to live when not in use. My ultimate storage must-have is a well-resolved and beautiful drawer insert, where knives, cutlery, spices and kitchen scales are at your fingertips.”
Consider adding a separate pantry. If you have the space, a separate pantry is ideal for all the messy cooking prep, as well as providing room for extra fridges and dishwashers.
Everyone knows how important good, efficient storage is in ensuring a kitchen performs at its best, but it’s the unique innovative solutions that ensure a space performs outstandingly. “A designer kitchen addresses storage with unexpected solutions to maximise space, such as deeper drawers, slender pull-out cabinets and mechanised shelves that utilise corner elements,” says Sang Ho.
Such customised and personalised storage solutions like these, that have been designed to suit your lifestyle needs, are definitely worth investing in. For example, a concealed coffee machine station will neatly disguise all your barista paraphernalia, while customised drawer inserts will keep everything in view.
“Good, well-organised storage is a must,” says Ong. “Think about everything you own and make sure that the large bulky items, like a mix master, have a place to live when not in use. My ultimate storage must-have is a well-resolved and beautiful drawer insert, where knives, cutlery, spices and kitchen scales are at your fingertips.”
Consider adding a separate pantry. If you have the space, a separate pantry is ideal for all the messy cooking prep, as well as providing room for extra fridges and dishwashers.
Defined Work Zones
Designer kitchens are meticulously planned, right down to the last detail, to ensure everything flows like clockwork. Take a leaf out of their book and plan out your kitchen in clearly defined work zones for efficiency and cohesion.
The cooking and seating areas, for example, should be clearly separated and marked out, so guests know which spots to stay away from. A dedicated appliance cupboard, that can be closed up, will ensure all small items are neatly arranged and not scattered across benchtops.
Use decorative devices to define zones. Try using a different type of benchtop at the seating end to clearly mark out the area. While open shelving incorporated around the extractor hood can be decorated with herbs, oils or spices for added definition.
Designer kitchens are meticulously planned, right down to the last detail, to ensure everything flows like clockwork. Take a leaf out of their book and plan out your kitchen in clearly defined work zones for efficiency and cohesion.
The cooking and seating areas, for example, should be clearly separated and marked out, so guests know which spots to stay away from. A dedicated appliance cupboard, that can be closed up, will ensure all small items are neatly arranged and not scattered across benchtops.
Use decorative devices to define zones. Try using a different type of benchtop at the seating end to clearly mark out the area. While open shelving incorporated around the extractor hood can be decorated with herbs, oils or spices for added definition.
Mixing Materials
Unafraid to break the mould, designer kitchens often showcase the latest materials and surfaces, and combine different finishes in one space for a bold statement. Try making a designer statement of your own by mixing materials, textures and colours for an interesting and individual look.
Ong recommends combining natural stone and stainless steel for a unique juxtaposition of elements. “On one hand, the stainless steel is ultra-practical, while natural stone has unique elements and an artist quality that is hard to beat.”
Highlight architectural features for a dynamic touch. If your kitchen space features architectural touches, such as exposed building pillars or a sloping ceiling, don’t see them as a problem but a solution, and transform them into a focal point with a stand-out material.
Unafraid to break the mould, designer kitchens often showcase the latest materials and surfaces, and combine different finishes in one space for a bold statement. Try making a designer statement of your own by mixing materials, textures and colours for an interesting and individual look.
Ong recommends combining natural stone and stainless steel for a unique juxtaposition of elements. “On one hand, the stainless steel is ultra-practical, while natural stone has unique elements and an artist quality that is hard to beat.”
Highlight architectural features for a dynamic touch. If your kitchen space features architectural touches, such as exposed building pillars or a sloping ceiling, don’t see them as a problem but a solution, and transform them into a focal point with a stand-out material.
Timber Accents
Love the look of uber-cool kitchens that feature sleek concrete textures, but worried they’ll be too chilly in reality? The key is to pop in touches of warm timber to counterbalance the coolness of the stone.
Go for rich timbers, such as walnut, oak and bamboo, and introduce them to units, shelving or even areas of the benchtop, to ensure the space feels cosy and inviting, as well as hip and funky.
Add underfloor heating for toasty toes. Stone or tiled floors may look the business, but on cooler mornings they can be a shocking surprise, so ensure they remain welcoming with underfloor heating.
More: Visit Poliform’s website for more designer kitchen inspiration.
Your turn: What elements have you borrowed from a designer kitchen to elevate your space?
Love the look of uber-cool kitchens that feature sleek concrete textures, but worried they’ll be too chilly in reality? The key is to pop in touches of warm timber to counterbalance the coolness of the stone.
Go for rich timbers, such as walnut, oak and bamboo, and introduce them to units, shelving or even areas of the benchtop, to ensure the space feels cosy and inviting, as well as hip and funky.
Add underfloor heating for toasty toes. Stone or tiled floors may look the business, but on cooler mornings they can be a shocking surprise, so ensure they remain welcoming with underfloor heating.
More: Visit Poliform’s website for more designer kitchen inspiration.
Your turn: What elements have you borrowed from a designer kitchen to elevate your space?
- This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Poliform Australia represents Italy’s most respected furniture brand. In the showrooms located in Sydney and... Leer más
Poliform Australia represents Italy’s most respected furniture brand. In the showrooms located in Sydney and... Leer más
We used several of these ideas when putting our new kitchen last year and so far, I'm happy with how it turned out and its functionality. There was no way I could fit in an appliance cupboard without losing too much of the scarce bench space, but for the small appliances I have a large drawer under the bench where I use them, where reside everything except the mixmaster, which is too large to go anywhere except the pantry. I would have loved a walk in pantry, like the ones I admired in country properties in my childhood, where shelves of preserves sat above wide shelves for preparation, but this is a smallish townhouse and kitchen space is restricted. I did end up with two narrow open shelf units (to make the space work) and at first thought I'd use them for spices but when I unpacked the kitchen stuff, realised I had a lot of small pottery utensils (like jugs, bowls and mugs) in matching blues, so put them up there and they look much better than the spices would. I think you have to take ideas and turn them around and adapt them to your own space and needs, but I love having the ideas shown in the first place.