When planning their Warkworth renovation, Art and Matilda Green had a simple kitchen-design brief for LaBella Kitchens: create a functional, beautiful space that works for their family of five.
Louise Robertson explains how she helped the family rethink their layout and eliminate some key “pain points”.
ZONED OUT
Louise recommends dividing an open-plan kitchen into distinct zones to enable multiple people to use the kitchen simultaneously during everyday routines.
“For example, a specific breakfast station where everything is in the same place: cereals, the fridge for milk and the breakfast bowls. This also makes it easy for kids to be more independent at breakfast time.”
Dishwasher placement is a key consideration, something Art and Matilda learned the hard way in their current kitchen, where the dishwasher and cupboard for crockery “are about five metres apart”.
“The dishwasher needs to be handy to the plate and bowl drawer, and they both need to be able to open simultaneously. Ideally, there’s a single movement between the two.”
SMART STORAGE
Storage is one of the most important elements of good kitchen design. Louise recommends accessible but hidden benchtop storage with bulky appliances tucked out of sight. On-bench cabinets with bifolding doors are a great option.
“For Art and Matilda, we’re installing a Blum Movento pull-out shelf at the bottom for even easier access.”
Deep drawers are another must-have.
“Nobody has time to reach into the back of cabinets,” says Louise. “Internal drawers in the pantry also make it easy to see everything you have – and help avoid buying duplicates.”
One of Matilda’s favourite features is the Docking Drawer charging drawer. “One of the things that does my head in about our current kitchen is that there are cords everywhere,” Matilda says. “There’s nothing I hate more than cord spaghetti. It makes me feel stressed.”
The in-drawer system will allow phones, iPads and laptops to charge neatly out of sight, keeping benches clear.
SEATING WITH PURPOSE
Kitchens naturally become gathering spaces for family and guests, so Louise designed Art and Matilda’s island with socialising in mind.
“If possible, I recommend designing island seating, so everyone isn’t sitting in a straight line,” she says. “Art and Matilda’s seating is curved to maximise family seating. Not sitting in a line feels far more social and comfortable.”
RETHINKING RUBBISH
It may not be the prettiest part of kitchen design, but waste disposal is a key part of kitchen flow.
“In the average kitchen nowadays, at least three separate waste areas are needed and hiding them away keeps the benchtop clear. Here we’ve used a Hideaway Concelo four-bin drawer for everyday waste, recycling, soft plastics and compost. Different coloured lids help differentiate what goes where.”
For bespoke kitchen design in the Auckland area, reach out to Louise and the team at labellakitchens.co.nz
