A kitchen set is not just furniture, but the heart of the home.
But make one mistake and instead of a culinary paradise you will get a space where every sandwich is a fight.
Designers close their eyes in horror when they see owners repeating the same mistakes.
Imagine: the set has already been delivered, the assembly is complete, but the refrigerator does not fit into the niche, and the cabinet doors are hitting the wall. All because the measurements were taken by eye. Trust the measurements to professionals.
Kitchen planning is like a game of chess. If the stove, sink and refrigerator are all out of alignment, cooking will turn into a marathon with jerks between the corners of the room. Remember: the distance between the main "points" of the kitchen should be no more than two steps.
Beauty is a trap. A set with glossy facades and gold handles looks like something out of a magazine cover, but the first splash of oil will leave indelible patterns on it. Design must be subordinate to functionality: hidden handles, matte surfaces, drawers up to the ceiling.
The cupboards are bursting with dishes, but the frying pans have to be stored on the balcony, and the cereals in the hallway. The problem is that vertical space is wasted.
Narrow spice cabinets, pull-out baskets for pots, mezzanines for rarely used equipment - this is not a luxury, but a necessity.
A countertop made of porous stone or cheap plastic is a secret enemy. Wine stains are permanent, and a hot saucepan leaves marks like a kiss from a hot iron.
Quartz surfaces or acrylic are the choice of those who value their time. They are not afraid of knives, acids and endless fussing with dough.
But wood, no matter how environmentally friendly it is, will swell over time from moisture and become covered with cracks, like dried earth.
Saving on materials is like playing Russian roulette. A frame made of loose chipboard will fall apart in a year, and PVC film facades will turn yellow in the sun like an old newspaper. Make sure that all connections are metal, not plastic, and that the hinges have closers.
The kitchen is an area of extreme stress: only hardwood, high-quality MDF and steel fittings can withstand daily attacks from knives, steam and children's experiments with dough.
Lastly, a set that seems spacious today will feel cramped tomorrow. Don't overcrowd your cabinets—leave room for an air purifier, a new coffee maker, or a stash of cereal in case of an apocalypse.
Author: Elena Shimanovskaya