Inspiration

How to make your dream kitchen a reality

Article by Homes to Love

Whether you’re renovating an existing kitchen or starting from scratch, Mitre 10 MEGA offer advice, products and designs to make your dream room a reality

Kitchen

Gather inspirational images of your dream kitchen online and from magazines. The products in this kitchen are indicative only.

 

Get the look with these products from Mitre 10 MEGA

wood-marble

1. Dark Oak Melteca Cabinet Fronts. 2. Duropal Statuario Venato Laminate Benchtop.

tap-laminate

3. American Standard Portico Sink Mixer 213341, $249. 4. Kaindl Hickory Chelsea 10mm Laminate Flooring 236129, $39.98 per square metre.

waffle-stone

5. GlassArt Splashback Waffle. 6. Caesarstone Clamshell Stone Benchtop.

sink

7. Heritage Hardware Kingston Undermount Sink 234880, $299.

 

Top 10 kitchen design tools

It’s an exciting time bringing your dream kitchen to life, but all of the decisions and details that go with it can be daunting. Mitre 10 MEGA take the stress out of planning for you. From tapware to flooring, cabinetry to lighting, their expert staff can assist you on your journey from planning to design and installation. One of the in-store kitchen designers will discuss your requirements and collate a 3D design in your chosen colour scheme, so you can visualise the finished result. To kick-start your journey to a stylish and affordable dream kitchen, here are ten design elements to consider before you shop.

Working triangle
A successful kitchen is one that works for you, not the other way around. To achieve this consider the working triangle: the natural flow between the three main work centres – sink, cooktop and refrigerator. It’s important these centres are within easy reach of each other. Visit mitre10.co.nz/kitchenplanner and use the online planner to create your layout. You’ll be able to see all the elements, from lighting to materials, in context.

Layout
Consider your kitchen shape as a whole, and think about different layout options. Is an L-shape or a galley best for you? A U-shape or a straight line? Visualise how you might use your kitchen, consider your lifestyle and how the right design can make life easier. How often do you cook? How much benchspace do you need? Do you want to include a kitchen island?

Colour/paint
Easy-to-add bursts of colour can brighten up a kitchen, bringing in warmth and personality. If you love colour, embrace it by way of a feature wall, splashback, on your kitchen island, with pale-coloured cabinetry, or simply with the addition of accessories. Whatever your choice, remember you will be in your kitchen daily so it’s important you love the space.

Surfaces
Your benchtop can be one of the most prominent features of your kitchen, so get creative and select a material with a colour and texture that makes your heart sing. It will need to withstand plenty of wear and tear so ensure you choose a durable style, thickness and finish.
Mitre 10 MEGA’s large range of benchtops allow you to be even more flexible with your design.

Appliances
Choose smart appliances that make life easier for you, and select designs that suit your kitchen style, room and family size, and how frequently you cook. Think about whether you need extras such as a warming drawer, or whether a medium-sized fridge would do, rather than an extra large one. Check the Energy Rating label and choose efficient appliances that save energy and water. Appliances with the Energy Star Mark are the most energy efficient.

Cabinetry
Replacing your existing cabinetry is a great way to add life to a tired-looking kitchen. Cabinetry sets the tone for the entire look of your kitchen, so keep in mind the colour and style of your benchtop and flooring when making your choice.

Sinks and tapware
Explore the array of styles and sizes on offer before choosing one that fits your kitchen aesthetic. Consider what styles you like and find comfortable to use. Choose tapware that works with the size of your sink – you don’t want a tap that is too small or big for your sink. Nor do you want an overtly modern tap within a classic-style kitchen.

Storage
The better your storage, the less clutter you’ll have on your kitchen bench. Think about how much space you need for cutlery, your pantry, crockery, pots and pans, linen and rubbish bins to help you determine how much space you’ll need. Check out the Hafele storage range, exclusive to Mitre 10 MEGA. Their clever soft-close storage designs maximise unused space, leaving you with more room to work with.

Lighting
You’ll need well-illuminated areas for preparing and cooking food, but you’ll also want soft mood lighting in other parts of the kitchen. Aim for a good spread of light over large surfaces such as islands and tables. How many pendants or spotlights are needed depends on the space but a row of three is common (odd numbers of fittings look better than even). Consider concealed lighting such as LEDs in cornices or hidden in plinths. Explore the colour and warmth of your bulbs and have switches positioned inside main doorways for easy access.

Finishing touches
Handles have a big impact on the look of your kitchen – replacing only these in an existing kitchen can instantly update it. What handles you go for should be determined by the style of your kitchen as a whole. A splashback is one way in which you can have a little fun – explore textural shades and colours with glass or mosaic tiles.

Visit mitre10.co.nz/kitchens or your local one-stop shop Mitre 10 MEGA to design your dream kitchen.

Prices are indicative. Subject to availability and while stocks last.

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