Dreams too big for your budget? With a little creative flair and some smart planning, you can get a designer kitchen without overstretching your finances.
The modern kitchen must not only be functional but must also have style. Preparing meals might be a daily necessity, but if your kitchen space isn’t aesthetically pleasing, then you will never truly enjoy the time you spend there. To make the most of your kitchen, it has to feel like the welcoming hub of the home, and usually that means spending money on it. However, there are several tricks you can use to bring a bit of elegance and atmosphere to your kitchen, without breaking the bank.
Consider the long term
You want your kitchen to last a long time, so don’t blindly follow the latest design trends. Think about your taste and what you want your kitchen to be. A clean, white light-trap? A Bohemian haven? A cheery family room? Consider the way you and your family use the kitchen and design accordingly.
When it comes to fittings, buy the finest you can afford. For example, find the best quality sink with the best finish for better wear, then save money on the faucet by shopping for price, finish and shape, in that order.
Fantastic floors
The floor is the place where the most money can be saved by going for faux. If you have an open plan kitchen, wooden floors are the best option, as they fit well in any living or dining space. Just be sure to use the same wood throughout. For an equally opulent look in a closed kitchen, twelve inch tiles laid diagonally, are a fabulous option. Find the material you’d choose if money was no object, and there is guaranteed to be a budget friendly alternative.
Let there be light
Save money on lighting by highlighting one or two areas (such as an island or sink) with statement pieces which draw the eye. This creates a ‘starring’ effect, which you can use to bring the attention of your guests to the more expensive items in the room.
Focus on the details
Hardware act as accessories for your kitchen, bringing all the other elements together to create a single, cohesive aesthetic. This means that a few small changes to key hardware can breathe fresh life into a tired kitchen with far less spending than a complete overhaul would require.
Splurge on the important things
There are some things that can’t be scrimped on. Cabinetry is one, and splashbacks are another. Luckily, cabinets come in standard sizes with standard door options, so it is easy enough to bring a good quality, but dull cabinet to life through paint and new hardware. Splashbacks, however, need a bit more of your cash if you want them to reflect your style and personality, though they are small enough not to require a huge amount of material to finish.
Set your sights high
Unless you have low ceilings, choose 42″ cabinets over 36″, as they fit the room better while providing an additional six inches of storage space. Use the space available to you.
Find the right layout
This should be the one piece of advice you follow above all others. With the right layout, everything else will fall into place. The work triangle (the space between the fridge, stove and sink) should be as small as possible, and the fridge should be as close to the entrance as possible.
If you’re interested in perusing a range of elegant kitchen designs, then why not visit the new EKCO showroom in Glasgow. Find out more about EKCO’s precision German-built kitchens
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