| are some universal topics that come up in the initial | | | | visits? |
| stages of designing a kitchen. They concern your | | | | The Equipment |
| personality and circumstances, the architecture of | | | | • Which kitchen appliances do you want: |
| your house and your needs when preparing food. | | | | free-standing cooker; wall oven; separate hobs; a |
| You need to ask yourself many questions so you | | | | griddle; a barbecue grill; built-in or free-standing |
| can determine your priorities and anticipate future | | | | microwave oven; refrigerator; freezer; waste-disposal |
| need. | | | | unit; dishwasher; trash computer? |
| The Space | | | | • How much storage space will you require |
| • Is your kitchen properly sited in relation to | | | | for: portable cooking appliances; electric equipment; |
| other rooms in the house, and spacious enough for | | | | bulk foods; fresh food and groceries; wine; cutlery |
| activities, appliances and storage required; or does it | | | | and china; cleaning products and equipment? |
| need extending or combining with other rooms? | | | | • Witch other activities would you ideally like |
| • What is the size of your budget? | | | | to have better space for: sewing; laundry; |
| • Would you feel happier handing the entire | | | | homework; home office; phone; sports equipment; |
| project either partly or fully over to the | | | | recycling; preserving foods; toys and games? |
| professionals? | | | | • Which kitchen appliances do you want: |
| • How long will you live in your current home? | | | | free-standing cooker; wall oven; separate hobs; a |
| Is a full – scale remodeling feasible for the | | | | griddle; a barbecue grill; built-in or free-standing |
| value added to the property? | | | | microwave oven; refrigerator; freezer; waste-disposal |
| • Can you design a new kitchen without | | | | unit; dishwasher; trash computer? |
| undermining the character of your home ? Have you | | | | Safety |
| considered the architectural features in the room? | | | | • Install cookers and hobs away from |
| The Activities | | | | windows –draughts may blow out gas flames |
| • Which activities will you do in your kitchen: | | | | and curtains might catch fire. |
| food preparation and cooking; food storage; | | | | • Choose a non-slip floor material and always |
| everyday eating; entertaining friends, family and | | | | mop up spills straight away. |
| business associates; catering professionally; laundry; | | | | • Many kitchens in older house have painted |
| homework from the office and school; watching | | | | walls or cabinets that cross the line from period |
| television; childminding? | | | | charm to decrepitude. If paint was applied to a |
| • Who uses the kitchen regularly ? Do you | | | | surfaces in your kitchen before 1980, there is a 50 |
| get in each other’s way? | | | | percent chance that it contain lead. |
| Your Needs | | | | • Fire is a kitchen's worst nightmare. Flank |
| • What are your challenges, priorities or | | | | cooking areas with a non-combustible worktop |
| preferences: a view from your kitchen; a sunny | | | | material. |
| exposure and more light; food preparation with | | | | • Consider allocating space for a fire |
| maximum efficiency; a clear division between cooking | | | | extinguisher or fire blanket. |
| and dining areas; use of the kitchen as a family room; | | | | • Never trail flexes across a sink or hob. |
| safety for children; direct access to outside areas; | | | | Install electrical switches and power points well away |
| • What are the good and bad features of | | | | from the water source. |
| your current kitchen and or other kitchens you have | | | | |