DESIGNING A dream kitchen

A new designer kitchen is a fabulous way to add real value to your home. Not sure where to start? With the right ingredients you'll be set for success

- CARROL BAKER

Designing a kitchen is no small task. It's all about balancing a diverse range of issues and challenges and doing plenty of research. Then put yourself in the hands of design experts, who can lead the way.

The first thing you need to contemplate is how you want your kitchen to function. Where will you position appliances? What workspaces and storage will be practical additions in the space? What shaped kitchen will accommodate the space you have? There also needs to be access to utilities such as gas, electricity and water. Is a second kitchen, a butler's pantry on your wish list? Think about materials you may use - they need to be robust enough to withstand the rigours of daily use.

All this needs to be packaged up in an ergonomic design that also ticks the box for aesthetics. A kitchen needs to work well, but also look good.

A functional kitchen really is the sum of all its parts. Helle Olsen from Collaroy Kitchen Centre says storage is a major piece of the puzzle. "A quote by Benjamin Franklin really sums it up: "A place for everything, everything in its place,"" she notes.

STORAGE AND HIDDEN SPACES

Specialist kitchen designers will assess your needs and your lifestyle so they can design a space that will accommodate how you live. Kate Anderson from Kate Anderson Design says storage is one of the most crucial factors to think about. "We try to utilise every inch of the kitchen by extending cabinets to the ceiling, converting impractical corners into useful storage, and adding spice racks and other smart organisation systems into our drawers," she says. "Efficient storage simplifies and helps keep your kitchen organized, saving you time and money when it comes to grocery shopping."