HOW TO MEASURE YOUR KITCHEN

There are accepted standards in Australia when it comes to measuring your kitchen, so learning to measure your kitchen space and appliances correctly will become very helpful.

To begin with, it is an accepted standard in Australia to measure in millimetres (mm). You will need to make sure that you measure the kitchen cabinets height (h), depth (d) and width (w), kickers, overheads, distance between cabinets and overheads, space allowance between cabinets and appliances also needs to be taken into consideration. You will need to make sure that you have allowed for the standard space in between your appliances and your cabinets so that there is room available to firstly install your appliance and secondly to remove it at a later date if it becomes faulty, or requires replacement.

NOW TO MEASURE YOUR KITCHEN

Remember at all times it is incredibly important to  measure with accuracy to the millimetre to ensure the correct fit of your new kitchen at installation time.

To begin with draw a rough outline of your existing kitchen space, ensuring you add all windows, doors or obstructions which can or cannot move including wall columns, pipes, sink and plumbing. Then start at the top left of your drawing, label the walls [WALL 1, WALL 2, WALL 3, WALL 4] in a clockwise direction like our sample drawing, and then continue to do the same with all the windows and doors.

Measure your ceiling height next, and write it down in the centre of your drawing. Measure your first window, door, and wall from the top left corner of your drawing and record on your drawing. Continue clockwise around the room until each wall, window, door and any  other obstruction have been measured.

An important thing to note here is: when measuring doors / windows ensure you include the trim as this is considered part of the fixture. Measuring for the outside of the trim for accuracy. Also measure the distance from the floor to the bottom of each window and measure the overall window. Do not forget to measure the distance of the obstruction from each side walls.

This blog concludes are run of kitchen blogs, stay tuned for bathrooms next. (Because Emilia Jane Kitchens love kitchens, but we also love bathrooms).

KITCHEN LAYOUTS and THE KITCHEN TRIANGLE RULE

You might have the best looking kitchen in your street, however, without the correct layout for your requirements, your kitchen could quickly turn sour.

When it comes to selecting your kitchen layout, you will find there are many options available.

U-SHAPE suits large kitchen spaces, great for families, functional and efficient,

more cabinet and bench space.

G-SHAPE all the U Shape is and more, provides extra bench space, excellent for entertaining

L-SHAPE versatile, can suit open living, small spaces and long room,

 popular choice, free mobility inside kitchen, great working space.

L-SHAPE with ISLAND adds more workspace to the L-Shape Kitchen,

great for entertaining, family friendly and suits larger room

GALLEY is highly functional, the choice of kitchen for many chefs, modern/contemporary,

user can access all areas of kitchen quickly.

STRAIGHT LINE suits small and narrow spaces along with large kitchen, simple design,

 often less expensive.

Having said this though, no matter the layout you choose there will always be human traffic problems. The best way to combat this is to follow one simple rule: THE KITCHEN TRIANGLE.

The triangle is formed by the placement of the fridge, stove and sink. the distance from your fridge to the stove, to the sink and back to the fridge should not be less than ten feet, and no more than 25 feet. If you apply this rule to your kitchen it will make for a comfortable space. If the area is less than ten feet people inside the kitchen will be falling over each other. On the other hand if the triangle area is larger then 25 feet, the area becomes too large and the enjoyment is lost from cooking due to tired feet.

Our next blog will contain kitchen measurement information.

THE MODERN KITCHEN

 

Over the last decade the modern kitchen has received a major face-lift. Traditionally accepted as a dark, task orientated place where minimal time would be spent. Now it has become the heart of the home, a place to spend time not only to prepare meals but now to share them, to entertain and to become a family. It is no wonder that the Kitchen is now the biggest selling point of any residential property available today.

Kitchen design has become a very personal and very individual experience. The modern kitchen needs to be light, appear large, be more functional, versatile and very adaptive.

There are other considerations when it comes to designing your modern kitchen; You will need to decide on the purpose for designing a new kitchen. Is it to prepare your property for sale? Will it be for an investment property? A growing family? Are you down sizing?

If you are preparing your home for sale you will need to look at the demographic of the people who will be looking at your property to purchase. Are they are family? A professional couple who entertain?

Are you planning to have a family? Small children love to be around their parents, and if you are in the kitchen then they will want to be too!

Now for the more individual requirements for your kitchen. Will you need room for the laptop or a television? Will you be entertaining large groups of people, or have a messy toddler? Does your house require a breeze to flow through this space? Then get really specific.....'I would like a place for my mobile phones to be tucked away on charge".

If both money and space are no object, list all of the desires you wish for in a kitchen…. Inbuilt coffee machine, knocking wall down to create more space, adding a window, a skylight, that big fridge you have always wanted….oh and do not forget the chef’s oven.

Now consider the type of styling you would like for your kitchen.

Creating a mood board or a visual diary are great ways to keep all of your ideas in one location. How about use the wonderful technology on hand to organise it creatively. It will keep you inspired, on track and allow everyone to understand your ideas, inspiration and the finished product that you desire.

Generated statistics report that over 60% of your waking time at home is spent in the kitchen, so it certainly makes sense to love yours.

Our next blog will include information on Kitchen Layouts and explain the Kitchen Triangle Theory.