Optimizing the space in the kitchen: here are the 10 tips from the expert
To solve this puzzle you have to stay awake at night ... Or you can resort to the help of a consultant. To help you we have thought with Elisa Bailly, interior designer, a list of 10 tips to follow to optimize the space in your kitchen. !
In photo: Elisa
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The main objective is to give precedence to the functionality and practicality of all the elements, to orient yourself as easily as possible without wasting time unnecessarily. Methods for organizing the space of your kitchen in order to optimize it, tips for tidying up, ideas to decorate, little tricks ...
An interior consultant, but what exactly is he? He is dedicated to all fields, so cooking is also part of his skills. Organize, classify, select and display your objects, tidy up your cabinets and shelves, combines and harmonizes the elements with each other. Combining ergonomics with aesthetics is possible; starting with the drawer ...
Is the most suitable kitchen in the shape of U, L or G?
What determines the quality of a kitchen's plant shape is first of all a carefully thought out arrangement. We sometimes speak of the "activity triangle": that is, limiting the distances between the refrigerator, sink (or dishwasher) and the cooking station.
A U-shaped kitchen, arranged on three walls, has an excellent rendering of space, limits movement and allows you to have everything at hand while cooking.
The more classic L-shaped top is suitable for all sizes, here the "activity triangle" is well designed, thus facilitating the preparation work.
The G-shaped kitchen, which usually communicates with the dining room or living room and which includes an equipped corner extension, requires more installation space, but remains convivial and allows cooking in the heart of the house.
How do I choose and arrange my appliances?
You should choose a fridge, freezer and dishwasher according to your lifestyle, your needs and your way of cooking: hungry large families, demanding cordon bleu, singles overloaded with commitments, the range is as vast as that of personalities in the kitchen !
So think about the space you have, your consumption, safety, hygiene and energy efficiency standards.
As for the arrangement, the ideal remains to limit the circuit of the cold, washing and cooking poles.
Save time: where do I put the oven?
Saving time is good, giving priority to safety is better.
Place your oven as close as possible to a stable, standard-height worktop to ensure a short journey for food entering the oven (heavy container) and food exiting (hot container).
In addition to suffering the pain, an industrial amount of time is lost to treat a small burn when the right ointment is nowhere to be found ...
Small kitchen: how do i choose the furniture?
The ideal is to use the height to free up space on the ground and facilitate movement.
Light-reflecting furniture gives brightness and a feeling of space.
The sliding panels, in addition to being practical, have a design effect.
On the other hand, folding or complementary furniture is not very stable and ultimately more bulky than it seems.
All there is to know about the central cooking island
The central cooking island comes from professional kitchens. The designers were inspired by high-performance equipment and introduced stainless steel hobs, special mixers, solid wood cutting tops ... the institution of a must in our kitchens.
The central island must be installed in a spacious kitchen, where it increases the possibilities of work, passage and liveability.
The rectangular shape could be easier to organize due to its regularity.
Spacious furniture or smaller ... what do I choose?
The advantage of large, deep, sliding cabinets is that you can put all your cooking utensils in it. The accumulation of small furniture is often synonymous with clutter.
As for the rules of proportions to be respected, kitchen cabinets and most appliances have standard dimensions. The most common floor space is 60 x 60 cm.
The support height of the integrated elements is generally 90 cm.
Arrangement of cabinets, dressers and shelves
We often tend to clutter our worktops with small appliances that we use little. Give preference to those of daily use.
Isolate those few items of your tableware that you use every day in the most accessible cabinets and drawers and ship Mom's good dishes to the furthest cupboards.
Take advantage of the corners
The ideal is to put small removable elements in the corners, especially to facilitate the cleaning of the environment.
So tool holders, knife racks, small appliances ... so you clear the main worktop.
And if there is no space for crockery and gadgets ...
The long hanging bars with hooks used to create a kaleidoscope of utensils and cookware are a fun and practical solution.
For a déco touch, add elements that don't necessarily have to do with the kitchen: travel souvenirs, photo frames, retro toys ...
Don't hesitate to show what should be hidden: line up all the water bottles and preserves for a "supermarket" effect.
Color and lighting
The choice of color must be made according to the material on which it is applied, especially in a kitchen where the supports are various (walls, cabinet doors, sideboard, floor and now even large appliances).
Dark, opaque sideboards are easier to clean and light-colored cupboard doors reflect light, expanding the environment.
Also, keep in mind that dominant materials such as wood or stainless steel already make up a color in a kitchen. Later you can enhance them with a more vivid color.
And if you want to have a unique light source, on the ceiling for example, be careful not to be disturbed by your shadow when you are busy on the work surface.
Finally, complete your lighting with indirect light sources installed under the tall cabinets.
Ready to give your kitchen a new look?
