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HOMES Amanda Hanley
CONSIDER THE LOGISTICS
First and foremost, ask yourself what you
use your kitchen for. Yes, essentially it’s for
cooking and sometimes eating – and there
are basic requirements such as a fridge, sink
and cooker – but we all use our kitchens
differently and we all have different ideas of
what constitutes ‘a necessity’. Some like a
breakfast bar for reading the papers with a
coffee in the morning; others would rather
use the space for a pro-quality marble-
topped station where they can perfect their
baking. If you’re a busy professional with little
time to cook, your dream kitchen will be very
different from those of the family matriarch
who loves to cook and chat and get everyone
round the table at once.
Secondly, consider how much space you
have to work with: be realistic about what’s
possible and the shape of the room you’re
designing for. Don’t be disheartened if your
existing kitchen is small – many professional
kitchens are based on the galley-style format
of yachts, with parallel rows of units that
make for efficient prep with everything within
easy reach.
Designing kitchens (or any space) with
children in mind definitely challenges you to
look at a room and its practicalities from all
angles – often you’ll need to think outside the
box when trying to make it work from both a
KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
Interior designer Amanda Hanley reveals her expert tips for your home-decor
projects, starting with an insider guide to planning the perfect kitchen…
‘Modern rustic’ or ‘cool
country’: these are the kitchen
looks I’m asked for more
and more, from clients in the
Cotswolds, in London or in
both. If you want a truly classic
country kitchen with modern,
hi-tech functionality, you need
bespoke design, proper craft
construction – and some
decent advice. Here are a few
tips and tricks to bear in mind
if you’re thinking of embarking
on your own kitchen update.
design and function point of view. The ideal
is a great design that will create a layout
that guides them away from danger without
sacrificing style or losing storage space. If
you can, create a special area for younger
kids away from the oven and hob where they
can eat together, get crafty or play mini-chef
while you get on with the dinner prep. A small
table and chairs, an inviting box of paper and
pens or a bucket of chalks and a framed area
covered with blackboard paint are a great
place to start. And making sure you choose
a dining table that will improve with age
and that you don’t mind developing a little
‘character’ – knocks, scrapes and spills are
inevitable with family life.
GET THE LAYOUT RIGHT
Less is definitely more when it comes to
kitchen design. Go for fewer, large-scale
pieces that add work space and make a
statement, and your kitchen will have longevity
as well as being attractive and practical.
You’ll have heard of the ‘working triangle’,
the kitchen-design mantra that places your
three main focal points (sink, fridge and
hob) within close range. A compact kitchen
is a cook’s best friend, because there’s less
distance between storage, prep and cooking
stations. If you have to cross a huge expanse
to find, rinse or chop your next ingredient, you