The cardinal rule in a kitchen is to make sure you have enough storage space. I'm amazed by the kitchens in some show apartments which are beautiful but have no storage space for even a packet of cornflakes. Cabinets come in lots of different sizes. Cupboards will be supplied with basic shelves but, if you can, you should upgrade to pull-out draws. They make life much easier as you can always see everything in the cupboard without having to take things out.
Consider having double-decker cutlery trays, telescopic trays and shelves, and carousel shelving in under-counter units, ideally lit with a 10w spot lamp. The plinth beneath the units can be used as extra storage space. These add to the cost but also to the practicality of the kitchen.
Kitchens do follow fashions and at the moment lime green and orange laminates are in. They look great in advertisements and showhouses but will probably haunt you in five years' time. Buy something calm such as ivory and chalk, lighter hues of brown, or wood - cherry and maple are the current favourites. Bar handles are popular now, especially on German kitchens, but if you have a lot of doors choose smaller handles otherwise it can look as if there are handles everywhere. Aluminium or stainless steel handles can be followed through with the same material on an oven or extractor fan.
One long kitchen comprising eight identical doors can look boring and if you have cupboards extending all the way to the ceiling, they will make the room look about 1ft lower as the eye can't read the real ceiling height.
Manufacturers are making a much wider range of units than they used to and the kitchen elevation will often look better if it is broken up by glazed cupboards and small shelves to create an interesting composition.
Use integrated appliances wherever possible to achieve a tidier and quieter finish - a kitchen full of different appliances, all on show, can look messy. Having everything behind one facade will also enable you to highlight one item, such as a huge fridge in stainless steel.
Think about fitting the dishwasher in a slightly raised housing. As this is one of the most used appliances, it will save you lots of bending.
Everything should be arranged so that the kitchen can be used efficiently. There should be a rational relationship between cooking, washing and fridge functions. They should be arranged in a triangle - which can be a long isosceles one. If you have an L-shaped kitchen it would be ideal to have the cooker at 90 degrees to the sink.
If you have a small kitchen and want to cook with electricity, buy a ceramic hob, even though it is more expensive than a standard one. It gives you an extra flat surface to put utensils and crockery on, and is a safe place to rest hot items. Touch controls on a ceramic hob make the appliance much easier to clean than one with knobs. You can also now buy a dishwasher and washing machine that will not flood your floor if it breaks, which is worth considering if you can afford it as flooding can destroy floors. Consider investing in a frost-free fridge, especially if you have a built-in one.
Worktops come in a variety of finishes including laminate, solid wood, stone, Corian or stainless steel. Solid wood is popular but it is almost impossible to stop it deteriorating around sinks. Some clients avoid stainless steel if they have small children as it shows small finger marks but it is very durable, looks superb and is a practical surface that is easy to clean. It's not a good idea to use tiles on horizontal surfaces as it is difficult to keep the grout clean. Laminates make good counter tops and stone and granite are wonderful because they're so hard wearing and can take hot pots. Corian is also good but expensive.
If you want an island unit make sure you have enough space for one. It needs to be 1.2 metres away from the main units to allow two people to stand back to back, and so doors don't crash into each other. It also enables someone to move objects easily from the island unit to the main counter. As well as being determined by the size of your room, the decision to have an island unit also depends on your lifestyle.
People are far more likely to socialise in the kitchen nowadays and if you're entertaining guests you can cook on the island unit while they sit and have a glass of wine next to you. This is better than working with your back to visitors. Island units with cookers need extractor hoods above them.
When you are planning your kitchen, consider other finishes such as flooring, wall surfaces, joinery, ironmongery and furniture in the room. Stainless steel handles on your kitchen furniture will not blend harmoniously with brass ironmongery on doors and windows. If you are upgrading to a new kitchen, it will probably be the best time to take on a bit more work and refurbish the whole room.
In an interview with Emma Cullinan
Sean Carew is a director of contemporary furniture and kitchen design specialists Enclosure, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Tel: 01-2765000 and Charlotte Quay, Limerick. Tel: 061- 316580.
