Kitchen Ideas 2016

Kitchen Overview
who lives here A couple with visiting adult children
Location Oxfordshire
Size 21 sq m
Kitchen designer Marcus Watkins of bulthaup by Kitchen Architecture

designer Marcus Watkins wanted to create alignment and playing with the contrast between the old and the new. "We want to remain contemporary in terms of design furniture, while highlighting the period architectural details," he said.

kitchen sitting in a new extension was built during the renovation. Listing on the left is the original coach house, with period thatched cottage on the right side. On the far right is the new extension, perpendicular to the original property. Work carried throughout by the owner.

Watkins 'concept was to create a design that feels more like furniture than the kitchen traditional architecture

There are two simple blocks of furniture -. wall run and islands. "This means we can treat them a little differently," said Watkins. The owners chose, soft warm gray for the walls of the run, which sits comfortably with the wood element.

high-term is a technical block, home to the refrigerator Freezers on the far left, closed cabinets, and a deck oven - a combination of steam, full-size oven and warming drawer. 'Around this relatively small work very hard, "said Watkins.

At the end of the wall unit is an opening that leads through the utility room, which was designed by the owners.

Ovens and warming drawer , Gaggenau.

Check 10 kitchens are breaking the mold

this island in Alpine white, corresponding to contemporary space, with a breakfast bar in the olive wood to break up the expanse of white. There is a closet in the downstairs bar that opens at the touch of a hook to maintain clean lines.

system b3 c abinets and worktops in 10mm laminate, bulthaup.

'olive The wood has a lot of movement and floweriness for it, "said Watkins , "This contrasts with the purity of the white island. 'Worktop cut around the wooden bar, which is mounted to the carcass.

Familiarity form most of the design. 'You tend to spend the most time on the hob and sink, and it's nice that when you stand to cook, you can look out to the people, while having everything quickly and easily to hand, "said Watkins.

bifold doors open right back to provide an uninterrupted view of the Oxfordshire countryside beyond.

Sink, bulthaup.

Know the pros and cons of the U-shaped kitchen
Generally, the U-shaped kitchen pro, including the fact that they are very good for storage, offering plenty of work surface and, having only one entrance, very secure, due to the lack of through traffic. The advantage of this latter, however, also means that the U-shaped layout small would only be room for one user at a time.

It is also worth noting they are usually more expensive than other layouts, such as a kitchen or L-shaped design, for more cupboards and shelves additional parts needed to run the unit.

Plan your layout U-shaped
The cupboard is running on the U-shaped kitchen can be approximately the same or varying lengths; in both cases, there is an opportunity for flexibility in design. Where all the walls are the same length (eg, 3m), the initial plan your point usually depends on where the windows are.

If one of the walls have windows, this would normally be run we recommend for your kitchen sink. Not only will the windows offer natural light to wash-up, there is also the idea of ​​a romantic looking out while doing the dishes. This, of course, depends on your view.

Discover thousands of u-shaped kitchen design to explore.

Hiring symmetry
U-shaped kitchen offers the opportunity for symmetry in design, so long as it does not compromise the usefulness of the kitchen. While it was not important, many homeowners appreciate symmetry for aesthetics clean and balanced result.

We usually will choose a tool, such as oven or oversized extractor, to the midpoint runs the center, as in this kitchen. We will then work out, apply the appropriate furniture and equipment.

Of course, you may deviate from the layout is symmetrical, either because you think it will look better on your space, or because of the structure of this space define it - for example, if a door or window interfere with one walk.

Hide less features beautiful
U-shaped kitchen can also be designed so that they 'hide' less attractive kitchen components and / or equipment behind the unit higher. For example, a sink, draining board and microwave (free standing or vice versa) is not always the best features of the kitchen, but through their foresight in planning can be obscured from view. This is particularly useful in an open kitchen layout.

For example, in the kitchen, if you sit at the dinner table and facing the kitchen, built-in microwave will be hidden from view by high unit stand next to it.

Maximizing an efficient work space
Whatever the size, the planned U-shaped kitchen design will ensure that only the required number of steps between different units and equipment. This makes the kitchen a safer place while cooking, especially when others are present.

In addition, the generous worktop and storage capacity puts everything you need within easy reach, and provide all the kitchen with its own storage area. This means that the kitchen can easily tidy up after use, and easy to maintain a clean and tidy appearance.

This is true even in the U-shaped kitchen is very small, like this one, which is just 2620mm x 2040mm, including a 700mm gap between opposing running. Space may be limited, but there are still a number of generous closet included in the design.

Entering angle storage
As mentioned, one of the great advantages of the U-shaped kitchen is that it has three runs of cabinets provide ample opportunity for storage. Having said that, the two U-shaped kitchen corner in typical take out a large amount of floor space available.

So to achieve the design ergonomically sound, it is important to choose a solution corner specialist kitchen, such as carousel or corner units LeMans (seen here, and what is called because of its shape and curves, reminiscent of the race track Le Mans famous) . It makes use of otherwise dead space in the corner of the base unit. Without choice this angle, you will lose this space, or the back of your closet will be very difficult to access.

slot on the peninsula
Small U-shaped kitchen can be limiting, especially if there is no room for a table and chairs. But sometimes it is possible to arrange the U-shape so that one leg extends into the open space (even if this means restructuring to take down the wall).

Although you will lose the closet on top of this run, the base unit can then form a highly efficient kitchen peninsula. you can add a bench to make room direct more friendly, and it will offer a useful platform to eat, work or socialize. Alternatively, you may either sink or stove sites in this area.

Peninsulas can be great for open space and also offers a physical separation between the kitchen and living room, which many homeowners desire. While the peninsula is usually located at the end of the run, it's also possible to have a seat at the back of the medium-term, as pictured here.

See how to make the dining room, even in a small kitchen

Make room for an island
Usually, you need more space great if you want to include an island in this layout. As a rule of thumb, U-shape of the islands generally requires at least a 1m on all sides of the road between the cabinets and shelves parts of the island. As a unit around the island 650mm deep, and given that the island is usually between 1m and 1.2m deep, this means that space will need to be at least 4.3m wide. We tend to recommend a minimum width of 4.6m for this layout to allow for optimal cleaning around the island.

Comparatively, for open space, depth will need a minimum of 2.6m. In this case you will have a long back wall with two short wings form a 'U' and the kitchen island in-between. Typically, one of the shorter wing will contain high housing and long rear wall will house a sink or hob, with alternatives on the island.

Depending on the location of the window, the short-term unit on the other hand often provide additional shelf space for small appliances, such as toasters, blenders and coffee machine.

Get expert advice choose the island that perfectly fit your kitchen

Tailor your shape to your room
one important thing to remember about a U-shaped kitchen (in addition to their generous worktop and storage space) is that there is plenty of room for flexibility when designing them. From small to large spaces, or U-shape with an island or peninsula, there are many variations and possibilities of what you can accomplish with this layout. This means that most likely you can design a U-shaped kitchen is right for you and appropriate for the space you have available.

SAY ...
What do you like most about the U-shaped kitchen layout? Let us know or share your tips or photos in the comments below.

Kitchen Overview
who lives here a working families busy with three children of school age
Location Sevenoaks, Kent
Size 15m x 15m; extension of the L-shaped to an existing property
Designer John Stephens and Robert Waite of RenCraft

storage Bespoke to two boards walnuts cut has also been included. "We always keep in mind the need for space that is both stylish and practical," said Stephens.

See several storage solutions kitchen bigger

The handleless kitchen look
While contemporary in appearance, this display handleless Bauhaus style reminiscent of the early 20th century: simple but functional, with a design characterized by a lack of decorative or ornamental facade.

By the same token, closet and drawer handles today is a choice rather than a necessity. Prefer handleless design kitchen units create a streamlined flow - a beautiful and efficient. The resulting appearance is chic, clean and clutter-free.

Find alternatives to the classical method 'triangle' kitchen planning

The true grip
As the name suggests, this style does not have a handle on all the drawers and closet doors. Various options exist, but 'handleless right' style created through the manufacture of niche channels robust stainless steel to the top of the cabinet. This created an opening for your fingers between the top of the door (or drawer) and the lower part of the worktop . your fingers curled around the edge of the surface and into the back of the door or drawer, pull it forward to open.

The benefits reach the back door you do not need to touch the front, so there should be no fingermarks.

On the run from the base unit which contains a set of drawers on top of each other (as pictured), a hidden channel inserted into the mid-line of the carcass to allow full access to the bottom drawer. In all cases, the stainless steel channels only entered after equipped kitchen, ensuring it constantly throughout the entire run of the unit and / or an island. It is best to look sleek and impressive kitchen.

island Handleless
handleless option is also available for the kitchen island. As well as create, feature sleek modern, this style can help in keeping the walkways around the island are clear, with no grip rip your clothes

For the islands and the kitchen of the final panel-return -. Its tip was visible on the run from the unit or on the side of the island - you have the option to continue the channel handles all the way around the island and to the back face. The final panel did not touch the floor or on top of the kitchen table, and so-called floating end panels. This creates an effect of floating on the island worktop to complete the sleek and sophisticated, as seen here.

Find out if you have space in your kitchen for an island

other types of handleless kitchen
as well as handleless system correctly, there is a door push-to-open popular just mentioned. Some companies also offer kitchen J-groove or J-pull system (pictured). On the plus side, this last option is generally cheaper than handleless design right, but they may have more frequent cleaning, as a channel to gather dust, crumbs or spills splash on the front edge worktop. With handleless right, this can not happen.

J-pull is also quite shallow and not very forgiving for long fingernails or larger fingers. Depending on the quality of the door, the surface is also more prone to chipping or cracking.

Specialist handleless options

opening handleless automatic Many catering companies offer a kitchen handleless doors and drawers that open automatically using an electric drive. This is triggered when you press lightly anywhere in front of the cabinet, and the same to close again after that. Doors and drawers open and close smoothly, quietly and with little effort.

unit of Climber Electric-driven unit wall climber (photos) even more profitable, because you do not need to touch the surface of the door. Operated by a touch of a button on the side of the unit, handleless doors automatically pulls up the barbed movement to fully open and makes all the contents visible and easily accessible. However, while this will certainly impress your guests, they are much more expensive than other handleless choice.

channel handleless Vertical The vertical channel selection handleless is something that only a few companies kitchen can produce, but it allows the opening of the larders high and a fridge-freezer is integrated to be carried out without interruption of seamless viewing this kitchen ,

Kitchen Glance
who lives here a young family with four children
Location Dublin, Ireland
property a 5- bedroom Georgian townhouse over four floors, which come from 1830
size Kitchen Approximately 6m x 4m
Designer Richard Burke of Richard Burke Design

ground floor room was empty when Burke was asked to design the kitchen; it will be used as a reception room by a previous owner. 'The house is in the same family since 1920 when my clients bought it, "Burke said." It has not been updated since around it, either! "

There are many original features, though, including mold handsome and cornicing and generous proportions. 'this room has a ceiling is very high, about 3.7 million, "said Burke. "So I suggest utilizing the height of the building to the ceiling and using the stairs to access the upper cabinets. '

owners have decided on key equipment before they start working with Burke. "they have their hearts set from the start in the range of yellow to LACANCHE," he said. "they also have chosen large Liebherr fridge-freezer, and know they want some deep, strong colors here, too."

own sourced tile itself. "they have a great style," Burke added.

Cabinet painted Deep Space Blue, a small Greene. Fusion round tap, Quooker. Sinks, Franke. Range, LACANCHE.

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An open informal dining room from the kitchen, so the owner does not want breakfast bar inserted into the island. 'There are two benches at the end, "Burke said." That's all they want. You can sit down and just have a coffee there. "Steps island 2400mm x 1000mm.

Worktops, 20mm Carrara marble, Stone Emporium.