Ultimate kitchen design for beginners

The history of mankind has started by hunting that he could able to feed himself.  So it may not be like the modern kitchen but obviously, he needed basic tools to prepare his food. 
In the kitchen, the layout should reflect the sequence of events in storing, preparation, and cooking, which means the efficiency of the kitchen is one of the most important criteria in its design. 

However, only the efficiency of the kitchen layout is not just enough to get your dream kitchen. The style and the zones of the appliances are the basics of your dream kitchen.

Types of Kitchen Styles

1- The Country-house Style Kitchen:

It is similar to the farmhouse kitchen in terms of cosiness. The comfort of the householders and the lady is the main characteristics of this kitchen style. The wide worktops, plenty of ’smart’ storages in a generous space.

2- The farmhouse style kitchen:

Though it is named as ‘farmhouse’ this style has given credit by both farmhouse and city/urban dwellers because of its posh and comfy look as being the masterpiece in the house. 

The key to this style is simplicity and function; if it works well it probably looks good. Natural colours, the earthy shads of brick, slate, wood and tile, look best in this type of kitchen.

Terence Conran (ed. David MacFedyen), 1977. ‘The Kitchen Book.’ Mitchell Beazley Publishers Ltd, London, p.80.

3- The Traditional Family Style Kitchen:

The traditional style is one of the most confusing styles- which I can say because it stays in between the modern style and classic aesthetics. The dictionary meaning of traditional is described either established/conventional and even sometimes old or historical. It may be said as orthodox. It has no usual and surprising details but the unique details make it warm and homely. The natural or painted wood- with muted colours, some minimal use of ornaments and crown folding are the basics of this style.

4- The Urban Modern Style Kitchen:

This style is a modern revision of the traditional kitchen. The details still are fixed but added a touch of modern clean lines.

5- The Contemporary Style Kitchen:

This kitchen either ultra-modern or classic- however in both it has details ahead of its time. 

6- The Minimalist Style Kitchen:

Should you either have a small space or like decluttered space, the option you follow is the minimalism in your kitchen. 
The efficiency of the layout and use of the modern small scale appliances determines how happy in your minimalist kitchen. It is desirable to hide the appliances by built-in storages and use every inch and square foot of your kitchen space make you feel more of a normal kitchen. 

7- The Scandinavian Style Kitchen:

The details with Scandinavian architecture and interiors define this kitchen.

8- The Classic Style Kitchen: The more ornament and layering than the traditional kitchen. 

The zones of the appliances:

A- The Sink Area

1- Sink

The accessories related to the sink area are soap powders, mops, detergents etc, draining racks, washing-up bowl, dishcloths, knives, peelers etc. and chopping boards.

B- The Food Storage Area

1- Refrigerator

2- Smart storages

The accessories related to the food storage area are dry stores, spice jars, knives, pastry board, mixing bowls, scales, electric mixer and glassware.

C- The Cooking Area

Any upper-floor window in a wall or roof slope in a side elevation must be obscured- glazed and non-opening unless the parts which can be opened are more than 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which it is installed.

1- Either gas electricity hob/cooker

2- Oven

3- Microwave oven

4- Extraction/Electricity fan

The accessories related to the cooking area are seasoning and herbs, wooden spoons, splits saucepans, frying pans, pressure cookers, toast machines and bread box etc.

1- The single-line kitchen:

“A very basic layout that should be kept as compact as possible. In the photo, the standard arrangement of work-top/cook-top/work-top/sink/work-top is sandwiched between an oven and a refrigerator that was built in at a high-level link and linked across the top to high-level cupboards. Thus, the entire run of units is framed in and stands like a piece of furniture. The overall length is only 4870 (16 ft). 

2- L-Shaped layout:

The classic work triangle is kept reasonably compact. If the refrigerator has to be placed near the cooker, the refrigerator may use more electricity to keep its cool- which is not the best indeed.

3- The Galley Kitchen:

They are less tiring kitchens that they have a compact work triangle. 

4- U-Shaped Layout:

It allows refrigerator and tall storages on a separate wall section. 

5- Island layout:

If there is enough space, island kitchens work best. 

6- Central Table Layout:

Usually, in a classic farmhouse kitchen, the huge table is placed in the middle and the work areas are placed adjacent to the walls. 

Choosing Work-Surfaces:

Timber / Marble / Slate / Terrazzo / Patent / Ceramics/ Corianders/ Polypropylene/ Plastic Laminates / Tiles or Mosaics/ Stainless Steel/ Copper and Zinc.

1- Work Surface Lighting

“The most efficient method is to fix strip lighting to the underside of wall cupboards or shelves directly above counters.”

2- General Lighting

“Avoid a central light if it is the single source because it throws shadows on the counters. Background light should always be subordinate to work-top lighting. Fully luminous ceilings can be created with suspended louvres, which conceal fluorescent lights that may different lighting levels connected with two or more circuits. 

3- Concealed Lighting

If you consider a concealed lighting, the light bulbs that concealed should not be observed with the eye level. Also, ensure that they are not betrayed by mirrors or other reflective surfaces. 

4- The Dining Table Pendant

The low-hung pendant over the dining area define the dining zone and bring a comfy feeling/atmosphere. Rise and fall fittings adjustment make it easy for the eye level of the family member. 

5- Switchers and dimmers

Heating and Air Conditioning;

1-Radiators

Radiators are usually hung 150 mm (6in) above the floor, using up valuable wall space. Wall cupboards can be hung above a radiator but not within 300 mm (12in) or the heat will warp the unit and damage the goods inside. In a fit, a radiator can be hung anywhere on the wall and in any position, as long as the pipework can supply it with water. 

2- Fan convector

They are the smaller and neater than radiators with similar heat output. Fans can be thermostatically controlled. 

3-Gas heaters

Individual gas heaters are small and compact, giving out a considerable amount of heat for their size. They must be sited on an outside wall as they require flue ventilations. If there is pipework already supplying gas to the cooker, then gas heating is an economical choice. 

4- Electric Heaters

They are easy and clean to operate. Individual electric wall heaters can be fitted on the wall above the cupboards. Alternatively, free-standing electrically heated oil-filled radiators are efficient and fairly economical. 

5- Underfloor heaters

They are ideal for ceramic tiles, slate, marble, stone or brick finishes in terms of heat transfer and material quality. Sub-floors are heated by electric wiring or hot water pipes embedded in concrete or screed, and their temperature is thermostatically controlled. This method is well worth if a new kitchen is being built or if a timber sub-floor is being replaced with a concrete one.  This is very inconvenient where the weather changes rapidly, and for weekend homes unless it can be turned on before you arrive. 

6- Wall and ceiling heating

Electric wiring embedded in the plaster thickness of vacant walls or ceilings provides instant heat at the touch of the switch. It is expensive to run.

7- The warm-air ducts

If the rest of the house is heated by this method, it is reasonable to do the same in the kitchen. 

8- Solar heating

The solar panels of copper, steel or aluminium with a glass cover incorporated into the roofs are an alternative way of heating. These collectors absorb the sun’s dirt and diffused energy and transfer it into a pumped circulating liquid, usual water with an anti-freeze additive for winter use. 

9- Air conditioning

The great advantage of an air-conditioned house is that it is cool in summer and warm in winter. 

10- Ventilation

Fans and hoods