5 Ways to Get the Most From Your New Kitchen Design

Whatever the size or style of your kitchen, innovative and functional design is an essential ingredient to get the very most out of your space. Careful planning of your kitchen layout, choosing the right handmade cabinets, worktops and furniture pieces, and ensuring the lighting and ambience is both visually attractive and practical, are all key factors to consider when creating your dream kitchen. 

As well as those key elements, from a general functionality perspective, it’s critical to consider the space as a whole. Finding the right handmade units and equipment is critical, but also think about where everything will be located to create a smooth-running, harmonious kitchen.

Is the layout designed in a way which facilitates comfortable movement around the room? Are your electrical appliances positioned in a logical place for ease of use? Has your kitchen design incorporated distinct areas for cooking, dining, and food preparation? All important things to factor in during the planning stage of your kitchen project. 

So, let's take a look at some of those essential elements that go towards achieving a well-designed kitchen space.

Drawers and smart storage options

As every inch of space counts in your kitchen, storage becomes a highly valuable commodity. One of the many advantages of choosing bespoke handmade kitchen furniture is that your storage options are almost unlimited. Hugo & Blake's team of master cabinet makers can create furniture to your exact specifications and space requirements. From deep drawers for all your cooking wares and appliances, to integrated pantries and spice racks. Whatever the dimensions of your kitchen, our tailor-made units will ensure that you maximise every quarter. Declutter your worktops, keep everything stowed neatly away, and enjoy the benefits of functional, versatile storage.

By choosing handmade kitchen cabinets and drawers, you’re choosing stunning natural aesthetics and unrivalled practicality. Beautifully-crafted timber units, positioned exactly where you need them. Whether you're cooking, dining, or entertaining, you can configure your storage combinations to best facilitate your lifestyle and needs. If you’re a keen baker, perhaps you’d benefit from a deep storage drawer positioned just under your workstation to house all your baking essentials. Whatever your kitchen habits, the perfect design is all within reach.

Lighting solutions

The thoughtful addition of lighting can perform many functions in your kitchen. From illuminating entire areas, to providing focused lighting for specific tasks and sections of your space. Perhaps you need a designated zone for food preparation? A well-positioned spotlight would be a perfect solution.

Meanwhile, from a design perspective, a considered lighting system can be hugely beneficial—from creating the illusion of space in smaller kitchens, to offsetting any issues of poor natural light. In simple terms, the type of lighting you choose for your kitchen will be divided into three basic groups.

General Lighting is typically used to cover entire spaces and is favoured because the dispersion is consistent throughout the kitchen—often installed with dimmer switches for greater control of the room’s ambience. Task Lighting, as the name suggests, is designed to provide focused illumination precisely where it is needed in the kitchen. Under-cabinet or shelf lights are a classic example of task lighting and particularly useful when positioned strategically over workstations. Accent lighting, meanwhile, is designed to highlight features within your kitchen and create depth and visual contrast.

The Magic Triangle

As the working heart of your household, the kitchen is used for a wide range of culinary and domestic tasks—and, as these spaces become more versatile, a place for socialising, dining and even working. With the multifunctional nature of your kitchen, then, it’s important that each space is designed with efficiency and practicality in mind. One proven method of optimizing the performance of your kitchen is to adopt the Magic Triangle principle.

The Magic Triangle is the theoretical lines that connect the three essential appliances within your kitchen: the cooker, the fridge, and the sink. When thinking about the design and layout of your handmade shaker kitchen, the aim should be to minimize unnecessary movement and create a smooth workflow, allowing you to move efficiently between these three essential areas while performing your culinary tasks.

By adhering to the Magic Triangle principle in your kitchen design, you can significantly improve the functionality and efficiency of your space. Having the sink, cooker, and fridge in close proximity to each other, for instance, reduces the time and effort spent on food preparation, cooking, and cleaning. It also ensures that you can easily access ingredients, cookware, and refrigerated items without having to walk long distances or navigate obstacles in the kitchen.

Handmade kitchen island

A kitchen island can be the stylish, multitasking hub of a functional kitchen. Providing workstations, smart storage, integrated appliances options, a place for dining and entertaining—and enhancing the overall aesthetics of your space—a handmade kitchen island can be a hugely valuable addition to any kitchen.

At Hugo & Blake, we offer a wide range of custom drawer and cupboard combinations that can be tailored to your specific needs. Whether you need extra drawer storage for appliances and pan sets, an integrated pantry, a spice rack for easy access to your favourite seasonings, glassware or crockery displays, we can create the perfect storage setup for your kitchen island.

Not only does a kitchen island provide functional advantages, it also enhances the overall design and aesthetics of your kitchen. If your floor plan will allow it, a well-designed island can become a stunning focal point that adds both style and practicality to your kitchen. Hand-built with the finest timbers and materials to complement the existing cabinetry and countertops; serving as a statement piece that elevates the overall look and feel of your kitchen.

Choose your kitchen worktops wisely

Worktops are a critical element in any kitchen, and the finest examples not only complement the overall style of your space—but are durable and hard-wearing enough to withstand the daily demands of a busy kitchen.

Heavy pans, sharp knives, and all manner of moisture and heat exposure; a high-quality worktop should be able to endure these culinary challenges while maintaining its pristine condition.

Granite is a popular choice for worktops thanks to its durability and striking natural aesthetics. Granite is also highly versatile, allowing for precise cutting to fit any kitchen setup. Despite its high tolerance to scratches and heat, however, it's important to note that granite is porous, meaning it can absorb liquids if not properly sealed.

Dekton, on the other hand, is a super-compacted sintered stone made from raw materials, offering unique benefits that surpass even granite. Dekton worktops are highly resistant to scratches, heat, and stains, making them a superb option for busy kitchens where durability is a top priority.

How can we help?

If you’d like any guidance or design advice to help build your dream kitchen, or would like to find out more about our range of handmade shaker cabinets and kitchen units, please do get in touch. Or, alternatively, if you’re looking for design inspiration, why not come and visit our showroom?