Kitchen Extensions
"I couldn't figure out how to organise the space myself so I called Insite Architects for expert advise and really good plans — and I got both and more!"
Why do people so often find themselves (as the song goes) "in the kitchen at parties"? The simple answer is that, for many of us the kitchen has become the hub and the heart of the home. Given that so much time is spent in the kitchen, making it a well designed, spacious, and pleasant place to be, is for most of us a real priority. Also, an attractive kitchen can be a fantastic selling point for home-buyers — so invariably, improving your kitchen will not only enhance your life, but also the value of your home.
But if you want to improve your kitchen — where do you start?
Insite Architects is the perfect choice if you are thinking of changing your kitchen. With our initial visit we offer experienced designers that will look at the bigger picture of the impact of the kitchen on the whole house and how you want to use it, we will not simply show you an arrangement of units and appliances. We might show you ways of creating a wonderful kitchen/breakfast room with the addition of a bay window — maybe linking through to your living space. We will arm you with a design that will enable you to have the freedom to choose your kitchen from any supplier, our advice and ideas will help you get the result that is best for you and your budget.
Putting in a new kitchen can be an expensive project. Can you really expect your local kitchen shop or builder to fully explore all the possibilities with you? Imagine how frustrating it would be to have spent thousands of dollars, only to find that you could have had a better result, more storage, better daylight, if only you had been made aware of the possibilities.
For the price of a washing machine Insite Architects will explore all the options with you, advise on your budget and how best it can be used. We can suggest suppliers, we will work with you to help you get the best possible result.
So what factors need to be considered?
- Do you want a multifunctional space or separate kitchen?
- Many people now want an open plan room that is suitable for cooking, eating and sitting, while others prefer these rooms to be separate. You need to consider what arrangement suits your lifestyle.
- Is your kitchen going to be the centre of family life?
- If so you need to give careful consideration to sufficient storage for paints, books and toys as well as cooking utensils.
- How should the kitchen be arranged?
- It is very important that the main appliances are positioned within a few steps of each other otherwise you can find yourself walking miles simply to prepare breakfast.
- Where is the best location for the lights?
- It is very easy to forget the importance of lighting in the kitchen, they need to be positioned above the work surface so that you don't find yourself chopping in your own shadow.
- What sort of worktop should I choose?
- The choice of worktop is a balance between budget and aesthetics. What you would like is not always want you can afford. However, used creatively, less expensive worktops can look very effective.