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Good design is about solving
problems in creative, intelligents ways. Poor "design" often creates more
problems that can spoil your enjoyment of your new kitchen for years to come.
An important aspect of good design
is awareness of the many booby traps that lie in wait for the unskilled, inexperienced
or unwary. Too often, these booby traps are glossed over with makeshift "solutions"
that simply delay the inevitable.
Here's a list of some of the more
common booby traps.
Corners
- Kitchens have corners, and corners
mean problems. But it's the way in which corners are treated that can make or break
a kitchen. Solutions can include bi-fold doors, a pantry, or placing cabinets across
the corner, or an appliance centre. Each of these possible solutions requires creative
treatment, however, to avoid creating even more problems.
Roll-out Shelves
- Roll-out shelves can be a great
asset to a kitchen, saving work, making access to rear of cabinets easier (especially
crockery shelves). But weight distribution can be a problem if not approached properly.
Careful planning and construction, and the use of adequate materials and fittings,
will avoid problems in the future. These problems can include back injuries.
 Drawers
- Most modern drawer systems have
metal sides with the runners built in. But care is needed to plan for their use in
YOUR kitchen so that problems — such as protruding pot handles which can lead to
damaged pots and cabinets — can be prevented in advance. Variable size drawer depths
may be needed.
Under-bench Space
- The valuable space immediately
below benches is often wasted on braces to help stabilise the cabinetry. With proper
design and construction, this space can be used for handy functions like wooden spoons,
spatulas, whisks, etc under cook tops; storing bin liners over bins; storing fresh
tea towels over towel racks; storing cutlery over crockery cabinets; storing items
like lunch bags, cling wrap, foil, etc that may otherwise clutter and use up valuable
space in other locations; storing preparation items such as corers, peelers, slicers,
dicers, graters, paring knives, etc above vegetable baskets.
Under-cabinet Space
- Kick plates or kick boards are
usually wasted space beneath cabinetry, because that's where inferior design and
constructions hides the real support for cabinets. Why not use the space for handy
storage drawers for items like platters, wall oven racks, baking dishes, plastic
containers, wines or other relatively shallow-depth items?
Appliance Cabinets
- Appliance cabinets are best located
on the sink side of the kitchen, which can often be difficult (or impossible) due
to lack of wall space. This can be overcome by placing the appliance centre across
a corner. (Warning: appliance cabinets are where you store appliances — NOT
where you use them.)
These are just a few of the hidden
booby traps you can face. I want you to be aware that they exist, and that it takes
genuine understanding, recognition and innovation to overcome them. These only come
through the kind of extensive industry knowledge and solid, practical experience
you get when you choose me to design your new kitchen.
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