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Designing your own kitchen


Kitchens Directory kitchenplanner.net: Terms of Use

These are the terms of use of KüchenAtlas Portal Betriebs GmbH Munich (hereafter kitchenplanner.net). They regulate the contractual relationship between kitchenplanner.net and the natural and legal persons who use the internet platform www.kitchenplanner.net (hereinafter referred to as the "platform") as customers (hereinafter referred to as "customers").

As part of this platform, kitchenplanner.net acts exclusively as an intermediary between the customers and the kitchen partners. kitchenplanner.net does not sell its own kitchens and accessories and does not provide any corresponding services such as installation or maintenance, etc.

1. Scope of validity

1.1. With each order via this platform, the contract for the sale of the respective kitchen together with accessories or corresponding services arises exclusively between the customer and the respective kitchen partner. The regulations and conditions listed below are therefore exclusively valid for the brokering activities of kitchenplanner. net and have no influence on the regulations and conditions, at which the sale of the mediated kitchen together with accessories and corresponding services take place. The respective terms and conditions of each kitchen partner should hereby be referred in particular.

1.2. The selected kitchen, accessories, goods and/or services may also be subject to special rules and restrictions. In such cases, the customer will be notified separately prior to placing an order or making a purchase.

2. Services of kitchenplanner.net (Mediation task)

2.1. kitchenplanner.net is an Internet portal relating to the kitchen/fitted kitchen and the services of kitchenplanner.net are free for the customer. However, these customers are not entitled to constant availability of our services.

2.2. By filling out the given information fields and completing the ordering or purchasing process, the customer commissions kitchenplanner.net to undertake a purchase of a kitchen including accessories or any other service provision related to the purchase, which is provided by a third kitchen partner.

3. Login areas

3.1. Areas in kitchenplanner.net that require login are password protected. Access to these pages is only possible for registered customers.

3.2. kitchenplanner.net can revoke the access authorisation by blocking the access data at any time, taking into account the legitimate interests of a registered customer, without it being necessary to give reasons, in particular if the customer has provided incorrect information during registration. The same applies if the customer has violated these rules or has not used kitchenplanner.net for a long period of time.

3.3. After successful login, the customer can manage their data and requests for offers. The customer guarantees for his data set virus-free, freedom from any malicious code and other manipulation attempts and gives assurances that they do not violate copyright and competition law with this data. The customer is liable for damages if they violate these provisions.

3. 4. The customer can request the deletion of their personal data at any time.

4. Cancellation policy

4.1 Right of cancellation

The following provisions apply for consumers within the meaning of § 13 of the German Civil Code:

The customer can cancel the registration within two weeks without giving reasons in writing (for example, by letter, fax or email). The term begins with the activation of the membership but no earlier than with the receipt of this policy.

The period begins upon receipt of this policy in written form but not before the contract has been concluded and also not before the fulfilment of our information obligations pursuant to § 312c, Paragraph 2 of the German Civil Code (BGB) in conjunction with §1 Paragraph 1, 2 and 4 German Civil Code-Information Ordinance. The sending of the cancellation in good time is sufficient for compliance with the cancellation deadline. The cancellation must be sent to: KüchenAtlas Portal Betriebs GmbH, Fürstenrieder Str. 5, 80687 München, e-mail: [email protected]

4.2 Premature lapse of the right to cancellation

The right to cancellation expires pursuant to § 312d Paragraph 3 BGB (German Civil Code) already before the expiry of the two-week cancellation period if kitchenplanner.net has started the performance of the service provisions with the explicit consent of the customer or if the customer has arranged the performance of the services themselves.

4.3. Consequences of cancellation

In the case of an effective withdrawal, the mutually received services shall be returned within the framework of the statutory regulations and any drawn benefits (for example, interest) shall be surrendered. If the customer cannot return to kitchenplanner.net the received services or only partially or only in deteriorated condition, they must pay compensation for the value. The member must fulfil obligations to reimburse payments within 30 days after submission of their declaration of cancellation.

5. General business terms conditions of third party kitchen partners

5.1 Each order made via the platform constitutes an offer to conclude a contract with the respective kitchen partner with regard to the selected kitchen as well as accessories and/or other provisions. If this provision is still available and a contract between the kitchen partner and the customer comes about, then the General business terms and conditions of each kitchen partner are also part of the contract. Liability, cancellation, re-purchase and re-payment (where applicable), terms of payment, agreements on due dates and other restrictions may be regulated herein.

5.2. Furthermore, kitchenplanner.net cannot guarantee that a special request, which a customer has specified as a request when ordering, will be met by the selected kitchen partner.

6. Limitation of liability by kitchenplanner.net

6.1 With regard to the individual details of the kitchens and accessories, kitchenplanner. net relies on the information kitchenplanner.net receives from the respective kitchen partner. In this context, kitchenplanner.net has no way of checking this information for accuracy. kitchenplanner.net therefore gives no guarantees or assurances to you as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of this information. The same applies to all further information that is listed on this website and made available by other third parties. kitchenplanner.net is also not liable for the availability of the kitchen and accessories at the time of ordering or for the provision of services.

6.2. kitchenplanner.net is liable in principle for damages from the contract concluded here, in particular due to delay, the violation of advisory and contractual secondary obligations, pre-contractual obligations, the infringement of industrial property rights of third parties and unauthorised actions. kitchenplanner.net shall only be liable if the staff, vicarious agents or legal representatives of kitchenplanner. net acted intentionally or through gross negligence, the claims for damages arose due to a breach of an assumed guarantee or a duty that is essential for achieving the purpose of the contract (cardinal duty ).

6.3. As far as kitchenplanner.net is basically liable, the claim for damages is limited to the foreseeable damage. This limitation of the damage does not apply if the damage-causing event was caused intentionally or grossly negligently by an employee, vicarious agent or legal representative of kitchenplanner.net.

6.4. The above limitation of liability does not apply if the consequence of death or damage to body or health has occurred or in the case of statutory strict liability.

7. Order confirmations

The order placed is valid only at the time of being accepted by kitchenplanner.net, for which the customer has received the order confirmation. In addition, the customer is obliged to check the received order confirmation immediately for its accuracy and to advise kitchenplanner. net, if necessary, of any inaccuracies or deviations in comparison to the original order.

8. Link to the internet pages of the kitchen partners

8.1 This website contains links to third party websites ("external links"). These websites are subject to the liability and responsibility of the respective operator. kitchenplanner.net has checked the external content on the initial linking of the external links to determine whether any legal violations exist. At that time, no legal violations were evident. kitchenplanner.net has no influence on the current and future design and content of the linked pages. The placement of external links does not mean that kitchenplanner.net makes the content behind the reference or link into its own. A constant monitoring of these external links without specific indications of legal violations is not feasible for kitchenplanner.net. Nevertheless, such external links are immediately deleted in the event of legal violations becoming known.

8.2 kitchenplanner.net merely represents a mediation platform and is not the provider and seller of the discontinued goods. The customer who enters the pages cited under 8.1 gets into contact with these kitchen partners. The same applies to queries for quotations or quotation requests submitted by the customer, which the customer adjusts in the shop or obtains from the shop. Our kitchen partners are exclusively responsible for these offers and on ordering a contract is only made with this.

9. Online kitchen planner

The Online-Kitchenplanner may only be used by private individuals for personal use at their own risk. Commercial use is expressly prohibited. In the case of infringement, kitchenplanner.net may demand corresponding license fees as well as possibly an administration fee. We assume no liability for plans that are created from our kitchenplanner.net - online kitchen planner. This refers to all content such as dimensions, planning, furniture selection, colours and manufacturer names of all kinds. The online kitchen planner is just a playful tool, which allows at most a rough planning. kitchenplanner.net therefore recommends using plans created with the online kitchen planner as a basis for further professional advice.

10 Reviews

10.1. The kitchenplanner.net website allows customers to review, for example, products, service providers or manufacturers. There is also the possibility to publish content. These reviews and content are not reviewed by kitchenplanner.net and may be inaccurate or misleading.

10.2. Customers are required to make only truthful statements in the submitted reviews and contents and the submitted evaluations must be presented objectively and without abusive criticism.

10.3. It is prohibited to submit incorrect reviews and to incorporate reviews that are not related to kitchenplanner.net or the goods and services offered on the platform.

10.4. The customer grants kitchenplanner.net an unrestricted right to publish on the platform the submitted reviews and presented content. In return, kitchenplanner.net publishes this for free. kitchenplanner.net can change review and contents to a new result in the case of a complaint of a kitchen partner and after clarification with the parties concerned.

11. Copyright and performance protection rights

The content published on this website is subject to German copyright and performance protection right. Any use not permitted by German copyright and performance protection right requires the prior written consent of kitchenplanner.net or respective rights owner. This also includes duplication, editing, translation, converting, reproduction or storage in databases or other electronic media and systems. The unauthorised duplication or forwarding of individual contents or entire pages is not permitted and is punishable by law. The presentation of our web pages in external frames is only allowed with written permission.

12. Liability, viruses

12.1. The content of this website has been created with the utmost care. Nevertheless, kitchenplanner.net accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or up-to-date nature of the content. The use of the contents of the website is at the risk of the customer.

12.2. Contributions marked by name or by customer name reflect the opinion of the respective author and not the opinion of kitchenplanner.net. With the pure use of the web pages of kitchenplanner.net, no contractual relationship between the customer and kitchenplanner.net is concluded.

13. Right of modification

kitchenplanner.net is entitled at any time to change or supplement these Conditions of Use. The customer has the right to object to such a change. If the customer does not object to the changed conditions within 6 weeks of receipt of the notification of change, these will become effective according to the announcement. kitchenplanner.net points out to the customer in writing or via e-mail at the beginning of the deadline period that the change notification is considered accepted if the customer does not object to it within 6 weeks.

14. final provisions

14.1. German law applies to the exclusion of international private law and the UN sales law incorporated into German law.

14.2. Jurisdiction for all disputes arising from or in connection with this contract, as far as the customer is a businessperson within the meaning of the law, Munich.

14.3. Should individual provisions of this contract be ineffective or unenforceable, the remainder of the contract shall not be affected thereby and shall remain effective and practicable insofar as it corresponds to the parties' alleged intention. In this case, instead of the ineffective or unenforceable provision, a provision comes into effect which comes closest to the will of the contracting parties existing in the agreement of the respective regulation. This applies accordingly in the event that this contract should contain any gaps.

How to plan a kitchen – 10 steps to creating your dream space

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Perfecting your kitchen design is a big and exciting job. You get to make all mood boards, order all the paint samples, subscribe to all the magazines, all in the name of research, but there's no denying that it can get a little stressful if you aren't really sure what you are doing. 

Whatever your remodeling plans may be, we are here to help you when it comes to how to design a kitchen like a professional. Whatever your budget, and whatever your style, our ten steps will have the process as easy as possible.  

In this feature, we take you through all the stages, from kitchen planning and finding your ideal kitchen design style, to choosing the best cabinetry, kitchen flooring and more. So, if your current kitchen is outdated and needs a drastic makeover, or if you have a blank canvas to design your new kitchen from scratch, read on for all the kitchen planning advice, design ideas and more that you need.

Looking for more kitchen decor rather than practical advice? Go to our kitchen ideas page next for heaps of inspiration. 

Choosing a kitchen designer, architect or builder is a big part of the process, which is why we've put together specialist guides aiming to help you find the best professional for your project. Do take a look, and if you want budgeting advice and information on how much a new kitchen costs we can help too.

How to plan a kitchen in 10 steps

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

Kitchens used to be hidden-away workspaces, but today they’re rooms in which we spend huge amounts of time. Not only do they need to offer the preparation and cooking facilities that suit all the home’s occupants, but they must also be stylish space we want to enjoy being in.

Often, they’re a zone in an open-plan kitchen diner and living space, so the kitchen’s decor must work harmoniously with dining and relaxing areas as well.

Proper kitchen planning is key if you want a successful kitchen design that fulfills all your expectations, and these ten steps will get you there, whether you’re doing it alone or have called in the help of an expert.

(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)

Analyzing what you currently have in your existing kitchen versus what you need and want from your new kitchen design is key. Often, it's best to do this yourself before you go to a kitchen planner or kitchen designer, using what works in your kitchen now – and changing what really doesn't. This process will also allow you to get creative, to realize if anything can be reused or recycled. 

Think about your kitchen cabinets, do you want a kitchen island? Does a living area need to be incorporated? Even go into what style of sink you might want and how many appliances you need to fit in.  

(Image credit: Farrow and Ball )

When considering different kitchen design and layout ideas, think about the following to gain a clearer picture:

3. Draw up a detailed kitchen floorplan

(Image credit: CRL Stone)

With your list done, you can begin to work up a floorplan. When you design a kitchen, it’s important to understand the space you’re working with. Ask a kitchen company, an architect or architectural technologist – or use graph paper and do it yourself – to carefully make scale drawings of your kitchen's floorplan. 

Marking up a floorplan. Mark the exact location (to scale) of internal and external doors and windows, so you have the best flow possible between your kitchen, outside space and the rest of your house. You'll need to factor zones into your plan if you're designing an open plan kitchen too for example.

Plotting in the cabinetry and appliances. Best way to do this? With little paper cut-outs of to-scale appliances and cabinets. Failing that, use a pencil and have an eraser to hand. Once you see exactly how much room you have to work with, you can start planning how to make the most of it. It will also give you a clear idea of how much you want to spend before beginning the design process proper, ensuring you end up with a scheme you can afford – and helping you reduce excess costs early in the process if your plans don't match your budget.

We have plenty of guidance for planning a small kitchen design or creating a family kitchen too, if you want tips on creating a successfully cohesive, well-laid out room.

(Image credit: Remedy Design)

Once you've considered the starting points above, you can really start to gather your kitchen inspiration to have the end result in sight. 

Finding a style to suit the practicalities of your kitchen design is vital, think about the following:

Do you want it to compliment the style or period of your home or contrast it? To match the decor of your other rooms, or to stand out? What style of units do you want to go for? How will you use color or bring texture into the room with materials? 

All of these elements should be considered before any work takes place. Once you have a look in mind, you can start to put your kitchen planning into practice.

Below, are some kitchen design ideas – modern, traditional and freestanding (use these links to jump straight down to them) – to inspire you and to help you envisage how your new kitchen could look.

(Image credit: James French)

Contemporary kitchens can work in modern or period homes, but they do look most at home in light-filled, simple spaces. Think elegant, minimalist cabinetry, carefully selected color simple schemes and perhaps a few feature pieces in there too. 

You'll see that modern kitchens often have fitted storage and built-in appliances to keep that minimalist look. If you want to design a kitchen that is clutter-free, a modern kitchen is the best kitchen design for you. 

See modern kitchens in our design gallery for tons of inspiration. 

See luxury kitchens with a contemporary edge in our kitchen design gallery – you needn't have a big budget to mimic these looks.

Traditional kitchens: choose formal, rustic or country for a period feel

(Image credit: Kasia Fiszer)

Traditional kitchens fit perfectly if you live in a period home with traditional features and lovely quirks – but can also really suit modern homes in need of a touch of character. There are plenty of kitchen styles that come underneath the umbrella of 'traditional' so you can find a style to suit your tastes. 

See Shaker kitchens in our kitchen design ideas gallery if you want a classic, traditional kitchen that never dates. This kitchen design suits all styles of settings, from modern kitchen extensions to rustic country cottages. Unlike some traditional kitchens, the Shaker style is simple and uncomplicated, with no elaborate moldings or fussy decorations – a perfect blank canvas to add your own personality.

If you are designing a kitchen and want a more traditional look, see more country kitchens and farmhouse kitchens in our design ideas galleries for rustic inspiration. Country kitchens include painted designs, while farmhouse kitchens are more ruggedly rustic. 

See vintage kitchens for inspiration for creating a kitchen design that's more about homespun charm. These highlight the original features of your home, like beams or original tiles, and are the perfect kitchen design if you want a space with loads of personality and coziness. 

Freestanding kitchens: flexible furniture for all types of home

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

Freestanding kitchens will work in modern or period homes, and are less about that new, built-in kitchen look and more about mixing and matching one-off pieces to create a one-off kitchen design. 

This kind of kitchen design takes more thought because it's not as straightforward as just choosing a fitted kitchen. Instead, you will need to design your own kitchen completely and decide on various routes:

Either way, when designing your kitchen, we recommend making a list of your freestanding essentials (cabinets, dressers, kitchen islands, etc), take measurements, keep them to hand and then talk to both kitchen designers and joiners, but also to keep your eye out for suitable pieces on online markets, vintage stores and even charity shops. 

See freestanding kitchens in our design gallery to get inspiration and more advice for your scheme. 

(Image credit: Meir Australia )

Once you know the look you want, you can start selecting kitchen units, finishes and the likes. This will mostly come down to your budget, but we will say investing in the best quality kitchen you can afford will add value to your home. And, it goes without saying that the better quality materials you choose, the longer your kitchen may last. 

These materials lend themselves more to a traditional kitchen design:

Hardwood is the best and most hard-wearing material you can choose for your kitchen cabinets. 

Plywood is also a good choice and often slightly cheaper than a solid wood kitchen. 

If you want a sleek modern kitchen design: 

Fibreboard cabinets: they are usually inexpensive but are long-lasting and give you that totally smooth surface for a chic, minimalist look.

Which materials to avoid? 

Cabinets and cabinet doors that have a wood veneer tend not to last very long as the veneer layer can peel and chip. The same goes for particleboard. However, both these materials are budget-friendly so if you are trying to keep your cost at a minimum they might work for you.  

For more tips on how to choose kitchen cabinets head to our guide for loads of practical advice and inspiring ideas. 

6. Choose the best colour scheme for kitchen cabinets

(Image credit: Floors of Stone)

Colour is perhaps as important as the style of cupboards you choose as it will be the first thing anyone notices about your kitchen. 

The most popular color choice for a kitchen is white, closely followed by cream, off-white and pale grey, and this is a good option if you want your kitchen to be a backdrop for you to add your own color and personality in decor while retaining a classic kitchen design that won't date, is easy to redecorate around in future, and which won't put off future house-buyers. 

A white or pale-colored kitchen design also allows you more options when it comes to choosing decor – from kitchen tiles to kitchen flooring – as you can be bolder in your choices there.  See white kitchen design ideas in our design gallery. 

Grey kitchens are also very on-trend and work with both traditional and contemporary kitchens. See grey kitchens in our design gallery. 

See dark kitchens – another massive trend at the moment – in our design ideas gallery, too. 

If you're feeling brave or just love color, just check out our kitchen color scheme feature to get inspired. 

7. Select the best kitchen worktops

(Image credit: B&Q)

Kitchen worktops need to work with your budget as well as tastes. Laminate, at the budget end of the market, can take on the appearance of other materials and is easy to look after. Opt for the best quality you can. Wood looks warm and is pleasing to touch, but does need regular care. Natural stone can look spectacular and each piece has a unique appearance. It should be sealed. Man-made composites are hard-wearing and easy to look after. 

Don’t rule out more unusual materials, though. Stainless steel will create a professional look; concrete and concrete-look quartz can look beautiful and colored as well as the expected shade; and glass is eye-catching as a work-surface.

If you're not sure which kitchen worktop will work best with your new space, our guide to the best kitchen worktops talks you through the options in-depth, providing practical advice and design inspiration. 

8. Choose the best kitchen wall tiles and flooring

(Image credit: Kitchen Makers)

What you put on the kitchen walls is vital in a busy working space. And, it's a wise move to choose tiles around working areas. For all the know-how on choosing the best kitchen tiles, head over to our dedicated feature.

While kitchen flooring equally, has to be hard wearing to deal with splashes and high condensation. Find out more information on how to choose the best flooring for kitchens in our specialist feature; options include the following:

Tiles

Ceramic, porcelain or real stone are all possible for a kitchen. Take care requirements into consideration as well as costs. Explore your options in our guide to choosing floor tiles.

(Image credit: Nest)

Wood

Solid wood is not generally recommended for kitchens because of the moisture in the room. Instead, we'd recommend opting for engineered wood, which has the appearance of real wood, but is designed to be stable in the conditions.

Find out how to choose the best engineered wood in our specialist guide.

(Image credit: Quickstep)

Laminate

If you love the look of wood – or tiles – laminate is a budget-friendly option that convincingly mimics the look of real materials. It's always recommended to buy the best quality laminate you can for your budget, as the cheaper options can look a little shiny.

You'll find plenty of inspiration, as well as more information on how to choose the best laminate flooring, in our guide.

(Image credit: Carpetright)

Vinyl

A budget-friendly option, vinyl not only mimics natural materials, but is also renowned for its durability, scratch resistance and easiness to clean. 

Find out more in our guide to choosing vinyl flooring. 

(Image credit: Amtico)

Rubber

You might also consider rubber if you're on the look out for flexible and contemporary flooring. Durable, hygienic and comfortable to walk on, it's becoming an increasingly popular option for kitchens.

As you might have guessed, we've got all the information you need when choosing rubber flooring, too. 

(Image credit: Carpetright)

Concrete

Stylish, with a distinctly contemporary feel, resin and concrete flooring are fast becoming the flooring of choice for contemporary homes.  

Perfect for kitchen floors and well-prepped bathroom floors, concrete and resin are durable and resistant to spills, dirt and stains, making them a practical material, too.

Find more tips on how to choose the best resin and concrete flooring in our specialist guide.

(Image credit: Fiona Walker Arnott)

(Image credit: Shutterly Fabulous)

Factor kitchen lighting in early if you're determined to successfully design a kitchen. Ambient, task and accent lighting should all have their place in a kitchen lighting scheme whether it’s in a separate room or part of an open-plan area.

Ambient light for a kitchen needs to be good enough for working with sharp knives and hot dishes. Ceiling spotlights can be supplemented with wall lights. Task lighting should illuminate work surfaces, cooker and sink area. It includes under-unit lights and directional ceiling spotlights. Accent lighting can include pendants for islands or a dining table, and LEDs beneath units that make them appear to float. Consider, too, lighting cabinet interiors to show off beautiful tableware placed on glass shelves. Make sure you plan in separate lighting circuits to operate the different types of light individually.

For more on how to plan kitchen lighting, check out our kitchen lighting ideas page.

10. Settle on kitchen window dressings

(Image credit: The Shutter Store)

All kitchen window treatments stand up to the room’s moisture, be unaffected by splashes if they’re near the sink, and should be easy to clean. Explore our kitchen window treatment ideas to find the solution that works best for your kitchen design. Remember to consider the following:

Does your new kitchen need planning permission?

If you’re planning to make internal structural changes to your kitchen, you won’t usually need planning permission, as this is covered by permitted development.

The majority of single-story extensions are also covered by permitted development; however, certain exclusions and criteria apply, so always check with your local authority’s planning department before starting work.

Even if you don’t need planning permission, it may be worth applying to your local planning authority for a lawful development certificate, which proves that the work is lawful, and can be useful when you come to sell. If you are planning structural changes, make sure you use the services of an approved structural engineer – The Institute of Structural Engineers is a great place to source reputable people. 

Read more about planning permission and permitted development in our specialist guides.  

Who can fit a kitchen?

Many kitchen companies offer an installation service, although you can fit a kitchen yourself (our guide offers step-by-step instructions) if you’re looking to cut the cost of your new kitchen.

If you do choose this option, your extractor and cooker will need to be installed by an accredited electrician, and you may need a plumber to fit your sink and water-based appliances. Due to the cost of most worktops, it’s always best to ask a professional to fit these for you – mistakes can prove expensive.

Alternatively, if you’re working with a kitchen designer, they may take charge of the entire project. 

If you're planning on carrying out any structural work, you might need to find a reliable builder, joiner, plumber, electrician and decorator.

For each of the different trades, you should get at least three detailed written quotes – use our guide to find out how to compare quotes from tradespeople if you're looking for more information.  

That said, recommendations are always the best way to find people to work with, so ask friends and family before searching online.

Bear in mind that the cheapest quote may not be the best if it does not meet all your requirements, and you need to feel comfortable with the people you choose to work with.

How much does a new kitchen cost?

It's easy to get carried away in the design process and think about budget last, but it should be on your mind at all times will planning. Set a budget and stick to it. 

The cost of a new kitchen will of course depending on the size of your kitchen and the quality of everything you choose but according to Homeadvisor, homeowners spent an average of $25,440 or $150 per square foot. However, prices can increase quickly from there if you choose to add high-end features like custom cabinetry, natural stone countertops, or luxury appliances so be sure to include all of those expenses in your planning.

For more advice on how much does a kitchen cost check out our full feature. 

Kitchen planning apps are a new and very handy addition to the world of kitchen design, we have tested out a few and really rate them. They make the idea of planning a kitchen way less daunting and frankly more exciting. 

The Ikea kitchen planner is an oldie but goldie, it's more of a software for your computer than an app but if you are planning on buying an Ikea kitchen (or an Ikea carcass you are going to get new doors made for) it's the first place you need to start. 

Space Designer 3D is online, so no need to download anything and is great for planning a layout and seeing how different configurations will work in your home. You do have to pay for it, but you can play around with it for free and it can help you come up with the perfect floorplan. 

Planner 5D is a free app that again is great for floorplans. Create your kitchen in miniature and play about with the design and configuration. You can flip between 2D and 3D too plus you can use the snapshot feature to 'take pictures' of your creation which we found ideal for adding to mood boards.

Hebe joined the Real Homes team in early 2018 as Staff Writer before moving to the Livingetc team in 2021 where she took on a role as Digital Editor. She loves boho and 70's style and is a big fan of Instagram as a source of interiors inspiration. When she isn't writing about interiors, she is renovating her own spaces – be it wallpapering a hallway, painting kitchen cupboards or converting a van.

DIY kitchen design basics | Kitchens to order in Saratov - the best choice for every taste

Kitchen design. Starting work on the project

Creating a project for your own kitchen is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. It is enough just to delve into the design rules and soon you will receive a real masterpiece in the world of interior design and planning.

The golden rule of any repair is the order of actions. Only in stages can you achieve the best results that will exceed all expectations. But where to start designing a kitchen? This is what we will try to figure out.

Every corner of the room needs to be developed, because this is what determines whether the kitchen will be functional and comfortable. A small kitchen is a much more difficult option than a large one, because you need to design it so that all the necessary furniture and household appliances are harmoniously located. In addition, you need to think about the fact that the kitchen cannot do without a lot of small shelves, cabinets and drawers where you can place a lot of kitchen utensils.

First stage

Do-it-yourself room design

Furniture arrangement needs to be planned in advance. This is the initial stage of repair work in the kitchen. Remember to fully measure all the parameters of your room to the nearest millimeter, otherwise there is a risk that the headset will not fit as expected. Width, length of each wall, area - all these measurements should be. In addition, the following parameters must be measured:

It will be better if you measure them several times for accuracy. After all, the furniture that is ordered at the furniture warehouse in advance must fit into the parameters of the room.

All the results obtained must be sketched on a piece of paper for a visual assessment of the area. There is nothing complicated here, special design and drawing skills are not required. It is necessary to draw a plan diagram, on which the dimensions of all walls will be applied in centimeters. After the received drawing, you can proceed to the next step.

Second stage

Family needs and kitchen layout

At this stage, it is important to determine all the needs and wishes of the family that will live in the apartment. Everything is important here: from the number of people to the possibility and desire to spend time together in the kitchen.

Thus, if the number of people is large, it is important to take care of the maximum functionality in the kitchen in order to make room for passage. This option has the appearance of all kinds of built-in surfaces, tables, bar counters, shelves. Hanging cabinets are best done under the ceiling to accommodate more kitchen utensils. By saving space on small accessories, you can expand at least a little space for family meetings in the kitchen at dinner.

Things to think about when planning

  1. A refrigerator, for example, can also be purchased up to the ceiling, but its width should be smaller. So that the kitchen space is not overloaded with a refrigerator, it is advisable to choose lighter tones than the color scheme of the interior of the kitchen room. In order to save space, household appliances and kitchen appliances can be hung on the walls in the corners of the kitchen.
  2. Decide how often you will be in the kitchen. Cooking takes a different amount of time for all people, and someone eats out. Depending on this, the purpose of many work areas also changes. If cooking takes you a minimum amount of time, then there is no need to create built-in countertops and so on.
  3. The number of kitchen items and utensils is also important, for these items just need the most space, while they should always be at hand.
  4. The dining table can be made built-in even if you do not plan to have joint dinners often and the area allows you to place a whole kitchen corner. The more free space in the kitchen, the better. A bar counter and a wide window sill will help make the kitchen more modern and functional, for example, when the hostess is busy cooking and another family member decides to drink coffee. You will not interfere with each other, and this is the most important thing in the kitchen.
  5. Comparing all these points, you can roughly come up with the most comfortable arrangement of furniture and layout for your family and thereby create comfortable conditions for each family member. Assessing the needs of the family in the kitchen is the most important step in creating a room project, and you need to approach this work with intelligence and imagination.

The third stage

Selection of appliances for the kitchen

Having decided on the location of the furniture, it remains to understand what household appliances are needed for the kitchen. Basically, people use several types:

Other types of equipment are also used, but they are not mandatory and irreplaceable. The first two types take up the most space, so you need to place them so that they do not violate the overall picture of the interior of the kitchen.

Microwave ovens are often placed on the refrigerator, and bread machines are used less often, therefore they are always placed in the corner of the kitchen working area. A coffee machine and a slow cooker are frequently used appliances, which means they need to be positioned so that they do not interfere with cooking, but are always at hand. If it is planned to install a bar counter in the kitchen, then the coffee machine can be placed on it. Moreover, bar counters are designed for drinking coffee drinks.

If the size of the kitchen allows you to accommodate large appliances, then this is only an advantage. However, in small kitchens, where every centimeter counts, you need to think about the minimum size of household appliances so as not to reduce the already meager space.

Comfort in the kitchen is the key to a delicious dinner

After a hard day, I wanted to relax and gain strength before tomorrow. Where, if not in the kitchen with your family, you can get enough of communicating with your loved ones, have a tasty meal and discuss plans for the future? That is why the kitchen is considered the most important room in the apartment; people spend most of their time here. This means that the atmosphere in this room should inspire and relax, and not strain with massive bulky interior elements.

The color scheme should be chosen so that each member of the family would be comfortable in the kitchen, not irritate the eyes and soothe. A functional, reliable and comfortable kitchen is the dream of every housewife. Otherwise, this place will turn into an unloved one, where you don’t want to come and there is no desire to cook food.

It is better to try to create the most comfortable working conditions from the beginning and think over a corner for the dining area, and let it take more time, but it's worth it.

In order to avoid mistakes in planning a kitchen set, you need to seriously and responsibly draw up a custom-made kitchen project. The Kuhmaster company in Saratov invites you to create the kitchen of your dreams. Projects are drawn up by experienced specialists, and finished sketches are checked by the management of our salon.

When making your kitchen, the project is carefully analyzed, and mistakes in planning the kitchen set are not allowed. Thus, you get the perfect kitchen that will serve you for a long time and that you will be proud of!

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What is a kitchen? This is one of the most important, sought-after rooms in the house. Often, most of their free time from work, study and entertainment is spent in it. In the kitchen, they solve important family issues, just chat over a cup of tea with their favorite sweets. It is here that it is customary to invite the dearest, closest friends and relatives. Moreover, in many Russian families it is customary to ignore the dining room or living room, spending joint meals, snacks in a cozy, relaxing kitchen environment.

Since the kitchen is a multifunctional space, the requirements for its design and decoration are high. It must meet the needs of the owners, embody their character, habits, and have an aesthetic appearance. It is especially important to follow the rules related to the daily operation of the kitchen.

They concern:

It is not always possible for homeowners to find a suitable kitchen set in every sense. There are many reasons for this. A decisive role can be played by: non-standard layout of the room; too small area; special requirements of the buyer regarding the construction, design of furniture; financial position. The best solution in this case is the development of an individual project according to exact measurements. The set, made according to a personal project, fits perfectly into the room, allows you to realize the most incredible ideas.

Therefore, today we will talk about how to create your own, original kitchen design.

How to design a kitchen?

Designing a stylish, functional kitchen set requires a basic concept. Homeowners decide where exactly the furniture will fit, what type of layout of the headset is preferable. Usually, sinks are tied to the outlets of communications so as not to pull pipes through half the room, and they occupy blank walls with cabinets.

However, modern fashion trends open up a lot of opportunities for experimentation. It is necessary to effectively use the walls, niches, space under the window. It is necessary not to forget about the number and composition of overall household appliances that will be built into the cabinets, to think over its location. Also, it is important to understand in advance which style, design you like more, because each of them has its own unique features.

The dimensions of the headset elements, their location are calculated taking into account the dimensions, layout of the room, the presence of pipes, communication outlets, wall-mounted units. That is why at the first stage it is required to carefully take measurements, draw an exact plan of the room. The sketch is made on paper or in a special editor on a computer, on a scale of 1:20. You can take any other ratio, but remember that observing all distances to a millimeter is very important.

All features of the kitchen are outlined on the plan: area; ceiling height; the number and location of window and door openings, their dimensions; the presence and exact location of pipes, vents, sockets, switches, meters, gas water heaters, boilers. To do this, the room is completely freed from old furniture and other interfering objects. When measuring, use a regular or laser tape measure.

Kitchen to suit your layout

Measurements are taken according to the established scheme, which is well known to professional measurers. It specifies all the measurements necessary to produce a high-quality, perfectly fitting kitchen set.

All data obtained is applied to the room plan, in exact accordance with the selected scale. Even minor errors and deviations can lead to inconsistencies. As a result, additional cash costs may be required to remake an already finished kitchen, bringing it to mind.

Laws of ergonomics to consider when designing

The word "ergonomics" is of Greek origin and consists of two roots - "work" and "law". Accordingly, this science studies the interaction of people with furnishings, equipment, electronics, any achievements of modern civilization in terms of its well-being, labor optimization, and safety. This takes into account the features of psychology, physiology and anthropometry.

Ergonomic furniture in the kitchen is one of the most important factors. When creating an individual project, the dimensions of the furniture, the location of the main elements, the internal content of the lockers are selected for specific people, taking into account their physique, habits, and characteristics. Thanks to accurate calculations, maximum comfort, safety and speed of action in the process of cooking, sharing meals, moving around the room is ensured.

Kitchen designer from Mebel169

Since the main activity in the kitchen is related to cooking, cutting and storing food, the central points, “whales” on which all functionality is tied, are three elements:

They form the so-called "working area". Ideally, it is a triangle whose vertices rest against these three centers. There are a lot of placement options:

The correct layout of the arrangement of elements allows you to optimize movement in the kitchen during cooking, avoid unnecessary movements, from which fatigue accumulates by the end of the day.

What do the experts recommend?

It is advisable not to place a refrigerator, sink, stove in any combination nearby. Such proximity leads to equipment damage and creates dangerous situations. They must be separated by sections of countertops, cabinets.

Basic rules for placing cupboards, kitchen equipment

To make it convenient to work in the kitchen, it is necessary to correctly place all the elements.

"Wet zone"

The process of planning a kitchen set begins with a sink, as it is rigidly tied to the outlets of communications: sewerage, hot and cold water. It is not advisable to place the sink further than 2.5 meters from them. In an apartment building, the location of the risers is standard, and a major redevelopment requires a large cash outlay. Moreover, it is strictly forbidden to move the "wet zone" to another place without the consent of the relevant authorities. This significantly reduces the number of options for apartment owners.

In private houses, the original layout can be foreseen in advance by stretching the pipes in the way the owners like. For example, more and more people prefer to place the sink under the window, creating an interesting interior. In addition, it is more pleasant to work by the window, you can admire the view. And natural lighting allows you to save energy, give rest to tired eyes.

Another common option that suits any type of home is the corner sink. Since the risers are usually mounted in the corners of the premises, this is the most economical and easy to install option. With this arrangement, it is very convenient to use both sections of the countertop adjacent to the sink, you can place the stove and refrigerator on opposite sides, observing the triangle rule. The sink located on the island, in the center of the spacious kitchen, looks spectacular. In this case, the pipes must be laid inside the screed.

Near the sink, household appliances are installed that require connection to the water supply and sewerage: dishwashers and washing machines. To make it more convenient to fold the dishes, the PMM is arranged taking into account who works - right-handed or left-handed. In the first case, the left position is recommended, in the second - vice versa. There are no restrictions for a washing machine.

Work area

The main part of the working process is carried out on the section of the worktop between the sink and the stove. If the house has network gas, and the owners prefer to use a gas stove, then it is installed next to the gas tap. The placement of electric and induction cookers can be arbitrary. An extractor hood is mounted above the hob with connection to the vent or autonomous. The distance from the unit to the electric stove is 65 cm, to the gas stove - 75 cm, which allows you to most effectively get rid of smoke, unpleasant odors, soot.

The recommended distance between the sink and the stove is from 40 to 150 cm. The most optimal length is from 50 to 90 cm, as it allows you to manage with minimal, economical movements, without unnecessary walking. A work surface is also installed from the opposite edge of the stove, whose length, according to safety requirements, must be at least 40 cm. Also, you cannot install a stove, especially a gas stove, closer than 40-50 cm from the window, as a gust of wind from an open sash or window able to blow out a flame, throw a curtain on a hot surface, causing an explosion or fire.

Here are some practical tips from experienced designers:

Typically, the project provides for hanging cabinets or shelves located in one or more tiers. This allows you to rationally use the entire available volume of the room, place more products, kitchen utensils and small household appliances. Between the countertop and the bottom surface of the shelves, cabinets, there is free space, the so-called "kitchen apron". The distance is from 50 to 70 cm, depending on the height of the hostess, since she should be able to calmly reach the lower shelves without standing on a chair or ladder. The apron area is decorated with wall panels made of plastic, glass, MDF, and tiled.

Space organization and cabinet design tips

In order to move freely in the kitchen, work without being distracted by minor problems due to improperly positioned cabinets, planning must take into account the availability of free space, the ergonomics of fittings, opening the doors of cabinets and equipment. As a rule, a gap of 120 cm is left between the cabinets and the wall.

If the owners have an impressive physique, or several people are constantly working in the kitchen, then it is recommended to increase the passage to 1.5 meters. For small kitchens, 1 meter or less is enough, but you will have to move carefully.

What else should I pay attention to?

If the set is planned to be made of laminated chipboard, cut ends must be finished with protective and decorative edges with a thickness of 0.4 to 2 mm.

The most comfortable kitchen set

If the owners want to make furniture according to individual measurements, in the original design, then they have a great opportunity to adjust all the parameters for themselves. In the process of developing a design layout, the anthropometric data of a person or people who will regularly work in the kitchen are taken into account.

One of the main factors affecting comfort is the height of the worktop.

Select her height:

The height of the worktops for all elements or modules of the set must be the same. At the same time, the cabinets themselves are smaller in size - you need to take into account the height of the legs or supports, the thickness of the tabletop itself. If the parameters are calculated correctly, the table surface is at a comfortable height, without forcing you to bend, stoop, bend your knees. Significantly reduces the load on the back.

When drawing up the scheme, the following rules are taken into account:

If the tabletop will be made up of several parts, they are connected with special strips that provide strong fastening, protection of the ends from moisture and dirt.

Layout options, design set

Starting planning, you need to decide which type of set will be optimal for a particular kitchen. In many ways, the choice depends on the configuration and features of the room, its area. There are six arrangements: