Timeless Kitchens: designing your kitchen to last a lifetime

3.     Soft furnishings and accessories

Finishing touches are so important; curtains, blinds, sofas, rugs, cushions and other accessories can be changed so easily when you fancy a change of décor, but make a major impact on the overall design and feel of the space  – their warmth, texture and cosiness are crucial to creating a homely environment. Pictures and posters, decorative shelving, lamps, potted plants – anything can be coordinated with the style of your kitchen and add more touches of personality without making a permanent impact on the design.

4.     Classic style

For a timeless kitchen, the style should be classic and simple – go for styles that have been around long enough to know they are not a just a recent trend that will go out of fashion quickly. A simple shaker door is a popular option for timeless kitchens, as it can be complemented by traditional or modern accessories to suit your tastes accordingly, and will never go out of style. Exceptionally modern designs are risky because they may become outdated in a few years depending on the trends at the time.

Never go for whatever is ‘fashionable’ as it will quickly be replaced with the next new fashion trend and go out of date anyway! Do something that you love, so you will never grow bored of it – your kitchen should reflect your own tastes, with personal touches that make it feel like home. 

THE PERFECT LAYOUT

As we have discussed before, there is no such thing as the perfect layout (see our previous post WHAT IS THE IDEAL KITCHEN LAYOUT?). However, there are ways to optimise the layout so that it can be multifunctional to suit different potential users of your kitchen. Thinking carefully about the various possibilities for your space, you can make some clever decisions that will help your kitchen last.

1.     Future planning

An important consideration for the design of your kitchen is how you (or future owners) may wish to use any other available space. For example, if you have an adjacent dining room, it may be sensible to consider an open plan layout - or adding glazed doors between the kitchen and diner could provide a flexible option of adjoining rooms. This means that your new kitchen will not be affected by the removal of a wall further down the line!

2.     Multiple uses

A multifunctional space is the best way to keep your options open for future use. Including space for a dining table or living area allows the function of the space to be changed accordingly – where you may currently use the space for comfy lounging armchairs, this could be adapted into a desk area in the future, or maybe a drinks bar or coffee area. A variety of seating will also increase the flexibility of the space – stools at a breakfast bar are perfect for entertaining guests, casual meals or somewhere for children to safely help out in the kitchen. 

3.     Fitted or freestanding

Whilst it is important to consider other options for your layout that you may not require at the time (particularly if you are planning to sell), you can still make the space work for you without having to compromise on your most important elements of the design. If there is a feature you would love to include but you don’t think it will benefit future owners (or you simply know you will change your mind at some point!), then consider freestanding furniture that can be changed to suit different demands as and when needed.

4.     Think practical

To ensure the kitchen will not need replacing in a few years, the design must be functional and the space should be used efficiently. Make sure your kitchen will include plenty of storage, particularly easy access solutions such as pull outs and pan drawers. Plenty of worktop space for food preparation is also essential, as well as a spacious design that allows accessibility and movement around the space to avoid traffic. Lighting should be practical and ambient – include bright task lighting as well as cosy dimmable lamps and/or pendants to provide flexible options. A kitchen designer can help you make sure all of these considerations are incorporated into your design for the most efficient kitchen that will last a lifetime.

QUALITY AND DURABILITY

Of course, if you are planning to keep your kitchen looking beautiful for years to come, it is vital to consider the quality of your kitchen. Certain elements of the design will be more important than others, and if you are updating your kitchen with a modest budget you will need to prioritise (see our earlier post FINANCIALLY SAVVY KITCHENS for our Honest advice).

1.     Installation

Make sure that the installation of your kitchen is carried out to the very highest standard. A kitchen that has not been put together properly is more likely to start falling apart from very little wear, and an experienced fitter will ensure the kitchen is built to last. If you are having new flooring or other work done at the same time, this can also have an impact on the longevity of the kitchen: ensure any major works are completed to a high standard to prevent the kitchen being damaged in potential future repairs.

2.     Materials

Your choice of materials will affect the durability of your new kitchen, so think carefully when making these decisions. The carcase construction and door materials should be well built and hardwearing to last for many years. Worktops should also be durable and it is advisable to research the materials for heat resistance – if you plan on putting hot pans straight onto the worktop, granite would be a much safer choice than laminate!

3.     Budget

If you need to prioritise, spend to the top of your budget for the most important elements: cabinets, doors, worktops and appliances should be the best you can afford to ensure they last. If your budget is tight, you can always add other bits like furniture and accessories later on instead of doing it all in one go. You kitchen designer can help advise you on the most important expenses, and where you can more easily cut costs.

SUSTAINABLE CHOICES

Trying to achieve a long-lasting, timeless kitchen not only saves money in the long run by not having to replace your kitchen every few years – it is also a more sustainable choice, meaning that by choosing to buy once and buy well, you are helping to save the planet! Sustainability is so important to us at Honest by Design, so rest assured that when we design your kitchen, we will give you our Honest advice to strive for sustainable choices. If you are planning a new kitchen and want a design that will last a lifetime, then get in touch – we would love to work with you on your exciting new project!

~Nikita & Katie, September 2022