Would you like to design the kitchen of your dreams?

Planning out the perfect bespoke kitchen might seem overwhelming at first. There are lots of aspects to consider and choices to make. You can come up with your own plan, or work with a professional kitchen designer. Understanding the basic concepts before starting is essential. Read our guide on how to plan your dream kitchen and turn your ideas into reality.

Use Space Efficiently

The first step is to measure the kitchen area and find out exactly how much space you have to work with. You should make the best use out of the space available and maximise your kitchens potential. The style and function of the kitchen design should be balanced against your budget for the project.

The size and shape of the kitchen vary from house to house, but there are a few common types:

- L-shaped

- U-shaped

- Gallery

- Peninsula

Take a look at existing kitchen designs to get an idea on what type you prefer. No matter which style of kitchen you choose, you need to keep it practical. Think about the location of the fridge, hob and sink. You should be able to easily move between these working areas when preparing and cooking food.

Make your kitchen more high tech by including a media centre for watching TV or listening to music. Such elements should be fully integrated into the plan, to ensure a stylish looking design.

A typical example of this can be found here at Mascari with their concealed appliance bank.

Storage Solutions

Having sufficient storage space is required for a usable kitchen. The number and size of the Cupboards, drawers and cabinets should be carefully considered. A well planned design will fit all the storage solutions efficiently for maximum space, while maintaining functionality and a uniform look to the kitchen. Opting for quality material and build design, will ensure everything will stand up to everyday use

Colour Scheme & Lighting

Select a colour scheme that suits the style of the kitchen and the overall feeling you want to convey. You can make the kitchen design uniquely yours, but make sure the colours match well. Choose an appropriate colour for the furniture that fits in with the colour of the kitchen units.

Good lighting is a very important kitchen element. Take into account the location and size of the windows, so you can maximise the amount of natural light you get by keeping that area uncluttered. The type of lighting should reflect the mood you want to create. Create a system where you can switch between lighting for when you are working in the kitchen and sitting around the dining table.

A Bespoke Kitchen Solution

German kitchens are a great choice for a custom made plan. They offer great flexibility in design choices and are highly rated due to their excellent quality. Innovative features and jaw dropping results are just some of the reasons for their rising popularity. The kitchen is a focal point of your home and nothing can beat the style and functionality of a top German kitchen.

For more information on kitchen tips why not visit the Mascari news pages

Enhancing the Look of a Small Galley Kitchen

Sometimes contemporary kitchen design in smaller rooms can be a struggle. It is not always about the chosen doors and colors. You can not go wring with modern fronts and neutral paints to give the feel of enlarged open space. But to often this looks a little typical. However there are little design points and ideas you can take on board to help really give you that wow factor even in a thin galley kitchen.

Look at the positives of your contemporary kitchen design 

The step to a great modern fitted kitchen design is a positive attitude  Now i know this sounds a little cliche, however a good designer will always look at every opportunity to make a design statement. So when confronted with a small galley kitchen in stead of thinking this is boring with no corners on units or work tops I always view it as a gallery walkway, a cat walk, even an airport runway. This gets me excited because straight away I am thinking lights, reflections and shine.

The right kitchen floor

A good strategy with smaller rooms is of course to add space enhancing features, so maybe I will look to put  in a nice glossy porcelain floor. I like an option like this because on the floor you have a shiny reflective surface which not only gives the appearance of space but also has waterway look to it as light shines off it. Often most floor finishes fall into budget because the floor is such a small area so this does give you many options. I still stick to a few basic rules of thumb such as dark floor light walls, light floor dark walls.

What worktop works?

Door finishes are not to much of an issue in this shape room because modern fitted kitchens come in so many different tastes that nothing seems to look wrong in any situation. But I will say the kitchen furniture doors need the right worktop. Here I would probably say less is more. When putting together your contemporary kitchen design try and choose a solid colored worktop. Anything with lines and shades such as marbles etc just look to busy. It doesn't have the space to breath so you can often end up with a messy and tense look to it. By using solid colors this creates a minimalist side to a large surface area, once again creating the look of space and softening whatever door fronts you have chosen  I will say though that wood is still an option so long as it is a butchers block, the block then follows the direction of the room and this works well.

The kitchens finishing touches

For tiles and paint it is pretty much down to your own taste just try not to use to many tiles if you choose a small size as this creates lots of busy grout lines which a gain can look a bit much. Go for it though with your design as the colors are where you can really put the stamp on your bespoke kitchen.

Lighting

Now Lets not be tight. You have this cat walk going through your kitchen so why not light it up. You can use plinth lights or even led tap just under the units. This always looks wonderful because it reflects of that glass floor and creates a skyline in water look. When you achieve this you really feel you have something special to show off. Do not be shy either with the lighting, under cabinet lights also add to the beauty. Small rooms love light because light enhances space which in turn enhances the wonderful modern fitted kitchen you have took the time to create.

For much more great inspration please take a look at the images at http://www.mascari.co.uk/vertex.html

Gloss Kitchen Doors For That Modern look

The kitchen is now an integral feature of family life, the heart of the home and a sociable space for sharing precious time with family and friends. This surge in popularity has brought about huge advances in the way we design the most important room in the house and for this reason contemporary kitchen design is now big business in the UK.
Most modern fitted kitchens are created with the focus on making everyday tasks as convenient  and hassle free as possible and designers are constantly trying to improve the functionality of the kitchen. A kitchen needs to flow effortlessly and this can only be achieved if everything is in the right place, it should be logical and commonly used items should be easily accessible.

Of course for a kitchen to actually sell it also needs to be visually appealing and contemporary kitchens combine the latest technologies with the ultimate in sleek design. Most recently gloss kitchens have been particularly popular as they fit effortlessly into almost any living space from houses to flats or apartments. High gloss modern fitted kitchens come in a range of colours from stylish black, vibrant reds or cool and chic white gloss, but the colour you choose may depend on the size of your kitchen as it can have a big impact on the overall feel of the room. Black gloss works well if you have a large kitchen that is well lit by natural light, complementing the units with statement chrome handles will create a bold designer impression. In a smaller kitchen black gloss can be just too dark and the overall effect will look dim and depressing so this is probably best avoided.
On the other hand a smaller space would benefit from cream or white units that will reflect the light, making the room feel brighter and bigger than it actually is. You can up the designer feel by creating a feature wall or using a bold wall colour for added dramatic effect. Real wood worktops can add warmth and depth to the blank canvas a white kitchen creates.
For contrast why not consider using two different colours, a popular option for those creating bespoke fitted kitchens. A long run of black wall units looks stunning accompanied by white base units, ultra modern and sophisticated design. 

Although a high gloss finish does mark easily it is easy to wipe clean, this makes it particularly appealing to family homes with young children. In order to maintain the appearance of your new high gloss kitchen you should wipe clean the cupboards and drawers regularly to prevent the build up of dirty fingerprints and smears.

Contemporary kitchen design is the interpretation of your own personal tastes, and the flexibility of a gloss kitchen offers you the opportunity to mix and match to create a look that is ideal for you, your family and your lifestyle.

Choosing a splashback for your new kitchen

In all modern kitchens uk designers will incorporate a stylish and practical splashback into the overall design. Deciding what sort of splashback to use is a vital decision, not just for decorative purposes but more importantly to protect the areas behind sinks and hobs from moisture, grease and food debris. Without a suitable splashback these areas will soon begin to look tired and worn. Paint will peel, fade and stain, destroying the look of your new kitchen. Choosing a splashback is an exciting aspect of contemporary kitchen design, with many new and imaginative products on the market it is an area that can really make an impact and show individual flair and creativity.

So what are the options available and the pro’s and con’s associated with each choice?

Tiles - Tiles can be an affordable and practical splashback solution and are widely used in modern fitted kitchens. Available in a vast range of colours, shapes, textures and designs they can make a real impact without costing a fortune. They are also fairly easy to install. Mosaic tiles are also a very effective way to make a feature of your splashbacks. However as hygiene is an important element in any kitchen it is worth mentioning that a tiled splashback can be difficult to keep clean. They can of course be wiped down easily with a damp cloth but bacteria will get trapped in the grout and some staining may occur. Poor quality tiles are also likely to crack over time so it is worth keeping a few spares so they can be replaced if necessary.

Glass - For those with a more generous budget, perhaps in the market for bespoke fitted kitchens, such as those on sale at Mascari, glass splashbacks are the height of popularity right now. They are incredibly versatile, a plain glass splashback can be installed directly over a painted surface or you could opt for coloured or textured glass for a different look. Another popular option is to apply the splashback over patterned wallpaper, this can a be beautifully effective way to add a personal touch to your kitchen. Glass splashbacks are very hygienic and easy to keep clean. However they are expensive and they need to be made to measure and cut to size for the perfect fit.

Stainless steel - In a professional kitchen uk installers will commonly choose stainless steel splashbacks. They are hygienic, easy to clean and can be moulded as an extension to the work surface. Stainless steel works just as well in the home although it is not seen very often, probably because it needs buffering frequently to limit the appearance of smudges, water marks and fingerprints.

Worktop upstands - These are quite simply a continuation of the material used for your worktop. This could be a laminate, solid wood or granite. They are perhaps the easy option, they will always match and look good.

The kitchen is usually the most expensive room in your house to renovate so it is important to get it right and stick to your budget. Splashbacks do serve a purpose and will lengthen the life of your kitchen's appearance so spending a bit more is worth while in the long run. For this reason splashbacks play a key role in contemporary kitchen design. This guide has been created to help you make an informed decision on the best option for your requirements.