Key ingredients for the perfect kitchen

Whether you consider cooking a chore or love playing chef at home, every homeowner benefits from a convenient kitchen.

Speaking on what made or broke these meal-making spaces, BGC Home Showroom Manager Laura Dawson said there were plenty of design features contributing to a seamless experience.

Among them is creating a centrally located kitchen and positioning the kitchen close to the alfresco and living areas to make the space appear larger for entertaining.

Designers should also allow for garage access, so it’s easier for homeowners to bring in their groceries without taking longer trips down hallways.

Within the kitchen itself, typically standard was a bank of four drawers for cutlery and a catch-all drawer, as well as a pantry with four shelves with a variety of storage potential, according to Ms Dawson.

“Also having a triangle layout – having the sink, cooktop and fridge or workbench close to each other – so that cooking is a breeze and everything is easy to reach,” she said.

“Drawer dividers are great for bakers – they can store pans upright, meaning you can grab one without everything spilling out.

“Additional power points are great because being able to recharge your phone from the kitchen island is a lifesaver when the recipe is on your phone and your battery is at one per cent.

“A double power point near the cooktop keeps your kettle and toaster away from the main workspace and creates its own unique station.”

Ms Dawson’s other recommendations included using drawers rather than shelves.

She said often reaching into the back of a shelf meant large pots went unused, whereas drawers revealed all stored items and made it easier to take things out and put them away.

While she described drawers as the better option, she said adding floating shelves after the build enabled more storage space without creating blockages and gave homeowners the opportunity to decorate with patterned plates, cups, tea and coffee containers or other colourful objects.

To further spruce up the space, Ms Dawson suggested bright lighting for workspaces and ambient lighting for the entertaining areas.

Pull-out bins at bench height were described as handy for sweeping scraps straight into the rubbish, and a butler’s pantry or scullery was considered great for prep work and keeping the kitchen pristine.

For Ms Dawson, these design tips worked together to create a convenient space for homeowners and an aesthetic feature in the home.

“As the adage goes – the kitchen is the heart of the home,” she said.