Looking to create the kitchen of your dreams? Here are our top tips and tricks for designing the heart of your home.

Start Smart

No matter what the scope of your kitchen project is, the most important step is the first step! It is highly recommended you take the time to start your project off on the right foot and do not rush. If you're in a hurry, it adds twice as much stress to the project.

It is not always easy, but when going into a renovation or building project try to enjoy the process. To facilitate that, it is really important to interview professionals and find a designer and a general contractor that can help you execute your project according to your budget, timeline and vision. Any kitchen project is an investment, and the professionals to guide you along the way should be included in that investment, too. A new kitchen really is a team effort so focus on finding the right people to bring your vision to life.

See Everything in Person

While there are lots of bargains online, do not be hasty and ensure that you see everything in person before making a major decision. You can really tell the quality and features better when you can touch, feel, and see how everything works in person. Work with your Designer and take your time to find exactly what you want!

Invest In Quality Cabinetry

Cabinetry is the most important investment in a kitchen because cabinets are a product that you will literally use every day. They are also difficult to replace down the line (unless you want to completely re-renovate your kitchen). It is therefore recommended you try to purchase the best quality cabinet that budget permits.

Choose Smart Appliances

Depending on budget, smart appliances are worth considering. Many have truly game-changing features. For example, touch technology can open doors with the tap of an elbow. These days you can even get a smart range hood that offers guided cooking apps to assist while you cook, streams music and video, and can even record a video of your stovetop while cooking.

Build An Island

Kitchen islands are still very much in style and are far from a fad. If space permits, a new or renovated kitchen absolutely needs an island. You may even consider outfitting the island with power and plumbing to make the space more usable. It's also better for resale.

Prioritise Flooring

Flooring is often an afterthought in renovations but that doesn’t mean it should be. While wood is the number one flooring choice for kitchens today, tile should not be overlooked as it offers some advantages over wood. For example, when your dishwasher overflows or the garbage disposal has a back-up, tile will handle the water.

With radiant heat becoming more economical, tile is now a cozy selection. Also, tile can solve matching wood issues. With natural wood and driftwood on-trend in today’s kitchens, the floor needs to blend or match to the wood cabinetry selections. Tiling your floor is a great way to enable multiple tones and materials to work together.

However, if resale is a concern, consider installing hardwood instead of tile as it provides a clean and seamless experience from your main floor living space. If the flooring is a major issue, wood tile is certainly worth considering because it has the look of hardwood with the durability and benefits of ceramic tiles. Just make sure the grout lines are very thin or the aesthetic changes completely and certainly not for the better.

Don’t Forget Lighting

There are lots of ways to light a kitchen and while this might feel like a minor detail, it is anything but. Lighting is always a worthwhile investment and literally can change everything. Examples include extra pot lights, under counter lighting and pendant lighting over the island. These specific task lights make the space come alive and if you can put the pendants on a dimmer, this will make all the difference.

White Kitchens Still Prevail

Style trends tend to happen in cycles and the bold colours that you might love one year can become stale as your family evolves. But you can't go wrong with a white kitchen coupled with mostly neutral and classic finishes. Most people find that any variation of white keeps the feeling classic, clean and modern. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t have colour in your kitchen. Choose bright stools, window treatments, art, and other décor to help personalise the space with colour.