Top Kitchen Design Tips

Whether you’re refurbishing or planning a new kitchen, interior designer Candice Koller shares her advice

Founder of CW Interiors, Candice Koller recently added a kitchen design arm, CW Kitchens, to her consultancy. “We’ve always worked on kitchens, but realised there was a niche for detailed planning, design and installation. A well-designed kitchen is such an enduring investment. It’s important to get certain key things in place right from the start.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF LIGHTING

“Before you even think of decorative feature lighting, give careful consideration to functional lighting,” advises Candice. “This is often an afterthought, but it’s essential to budget for a proper lighting plan.”

Things to consider include the angle of your task lighting (try to avoid working in your own shadow), as well as the coverage of the area that’s illuminated. “Think about the lumens of your chosen lights, which will indicate the actual spread or brightness, as opposed to the amount of energy used (watts).”

Where you have cupboards above a work station, Candice suggests under-unit lighting. “Above kitchen islands, a group of pendants is an attractive alternative to low-energy LED downlights that are used in the rest of the ceiling. Keep it to a maximum of three to avoid a cluttered effect.”

CHOOSING WORK SURFACES