little john kin

Trying to work and cook in a cramped kitchen is one of the most annoying things in the world. Of course there are always people who want to come in and chit chat or ‘help’ in preparing tea or making the roast dinner for the whole family. What can be done to eliminate constant crowding and body bumping in the family kitchen?

If it is something that can be done, remodelling is the key to making your kitchen the dream kitchen you have always wanted. Draw out the dimensions of the kitchen as if nothing was in there. Then, create a design that suits you to a tee. Plan where the electric cookers or gas cooker will be as it will be the centre of attraction. Then, making a triangle, plan where the sink and the fridge will go. Design your working space and cabinetry and decide if you need the washer in the kitchen or if you have room for a dishwasher. Project how people will be working in the kitchen and make sure there are enough work spaces for preparation and cleanup when cooking together. Pick out your countertops and if you have chosen a gas or electric cooker, there is also a choice of built in models or free standing models.

Now, taking the kitchen down to the bare walls, re-wiring and re-plastering are the first steps to perfection. If you can afford the space, try to get a full sized fridge as it will make it nice to have room for those lovely ‘BOGOF’ (buy one get one free) items. Design the cabinets so that your cookware can be placed close to your gas or electric cooker. Place the dishwasher where unloading it will be easy as the cabinets for dishes, glassware and cutlery will be within reaching distance.

Placing the electric cooker with a workspace in between it and the fridge will be handy for taking things out and setting them next to the cooker for preparation. If you can turn and face the sink it would be handy for washing veggies and then turning back to the cooker. Placing the gas or electric cooker on rails with wheels makes it simple for cleaning purposes. These can be bought at any store and will make life so much easier and will save dragging the cooker across a newly laid floor.

There should be several cabinets dedicated solely for the storage of food since most kitchens no longer have a larder. Again, these should be near the gas or electric cooker so it will be easy to put the contents into pots or pans and then directly onto the hob. Finally, choose a colour of paint that will accent your new kitchen. Hang your favourite pictures where you will appreciate them the most. Set your table for a party and invite your friends over to test out the new kitchen.   Hopefully it will now be a kitchen to die for!