You might not want to run your kitchen like The Bear or Ramsay does but that doesn’t mean you don’t want a well designed space that you can enjoy and be efficient in.
There are a lot of factors that can influence kitchen design so it is well worth discussing options with your Mosaic home builder’s interior designer first so you know what inclusions you have to choose from, and to tap into their expertise regarding materials, practicalities and trends.
Trends are worth keeping an eye on as they are often driven by changing lifestyles and new innovations, but it’s important to not lose sight of what YOU want and what suits YOUR lifestyle. Just like you did when making the decision to live at Mosaic!
Here are a few little things to consider aside from the obvious ones about usage of space.
The short and tall of it
Most standard kitchen benchtops are 900mm high. But that mightn’t be suitable if you are not the ‘average’ height. Consider having a split-level benchtop that caters to different heights, or include a step which slides out from underneath the drawers or cupboards for shorter chefs to stand on.
Consider the placement of built-in ovens too. Many elect to have an underbench oven but if you’re tall that might be harder to reach into. And shorter people may find it difficult to lift a heavy Christmas turkey out of an oven in a high position. Same with your microwave oven as it can be dangerous transferring hot liquids down from an elevated height.
Clear the way
You know what it’s like, even though you’ve spent most of the day prepping for friends coming over, you’ve now got half an hour ‘til they arrive and it seems that very utensil and bowl you’ve ever owned has not only filled the dishwasher but is now toppling out of the sink and taking over the benches!
Consider having a ‘hidey’ place, a cupboard or deep drawer you can throw things in so that your kitchen is clear for guests to admire! Or accommodate a wet area in the scullery if your floorplan includes one.
Another idea to help keep your kitchen clutter-free is to include an appliance cupboard. This can simply be in a corner of the bench with a box frame and small pull-down door on the front. Ensure there’s a powerpoint in it so that all your small appliances can be kept in there ready to easily use.
Top it off
While talking benchtops, factor in two workspaces if you can. One next to the cooktop is handy when you need to progressively add ingredients as a dish is cooking, and one next to the sink for chopping and rising. This makes it easier if there are multiple people prepping food too.
There are plenty of benchtop surfaces to choose from, and while colour is a big influence, consider ease of cleaning too. High gloss and mirror-like stone surfaces are tough and can look stunning but they might require regular wiping as watermarks and fingerprints are more obvious. Matt-finish stone or cement surfaces don’t tend to show dirt as much but as they are non-reflective, can absorb light.
Laminate is popular especially as now it can closely mimic natural materials, comes in a huge range of colours and texture-looks, and is great value for money. But keep in mind that laminate is not heat resistant, can suffer impact damage, and cannot be used as a cutting surface like some stone or composite surfaces can.
A suggestion is to mix it up! One surface material does not have to be used throughout your kitchen. Perhaps choose a hard wearing
stone in the work zones next to cooktops and sinks, with laminate or wood complementing it.
Make a splash!
With so many colours to choose from in laminates, tiles, paint and window coverings it can be both daunting and exciting choosing the look for your new kitchen.
With most kitchens situated in the middle of today’s new homes, and opening to communal family areas, the use of colour plays a role in aesthetic harmony and seamless integration.
If you want vibrant citrus colours or dramatic patterns, go for it – it’s your home so do what makes you happy.
However if you’re concerned the look might date or become overwhelming, consider neutral colours for your walls and fixtures and then have fun with decorative touches and accessories that bring the space to life and make it more personally unique.
Glass splashbacks with a reverse print on them can add bright patterns or even photographic backdrops to your kitchen and are relatively easy to change should you want a different theme.
Vintage handles, feature light fittings, quirky memorabilia, a display of spice jars, ornamental bowls, and lush fruit arrangements can all contribute different focal points and pops of texture and colour.
Or as a resident of Mosaic, perhaps a mosaic tile trim could be the go!
If you’re want to know what’s cooking at Mosaic find out about our last land release by contacting our sales team:
Thanh Nguyen
Phone: 0414 288 165
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Alexis Buckley-Carr
Phone: 0411 618 906
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