While kitchens and bathrooms are designed to serve a distinct purpose, it would be remiss to suggest that their design should be solely utilitarian. Regardless of their size, both are essential parts of the home that should not only complement your lifestyle, but enhance it. As such, these rooms should promote ease of use and bring you a sense of joy, which can be difficult to achieve when space is limited or underused.
As Western Australia Home Design + Living explores, there are many ways to revamp your home without altering its square footage by simply using a few clever interior design tricks.
CLEVER KITCHENS
Storage Galore
A sure-fire way to make the most of the space within your kitchen is to install bespoke cabinetry. For a seamless appearance, opt for joinery that is uniform in length. By extending cabinetry as close to the ceiling as possible, you will accentuate the height of the room, while additional storage installed below sink level will balance the overall design.
Think of ways to customise your cabinetry to feature or hide appliances like your dishwasher, which can easily be concealed with a matching front panel. Open shelves can also add a personal touch to your kitchen by showcasing select décor and keepsakes, but remember to keep the styling minimal to avoid clutter.
Break It Up
An island bench is a great way to break up your kitchen as it will serve as a central point from which dedicated kitchen zones can be assigned. When determining these zones, think of the space in terms of how it will be used. A highly practical kitchen will include areas in which to store and prepare food, and house dishes and glassware, as well as provide cooking areas around the stovetop and a cleaning zone where the sink, dishwasher and rubbish bin are in close proximity.
If your kitchen is to be a communal space, consider placing stools along the island for a breakfast area, or to provide seating for guests while you’re cooking. A fireplace is also a great way to divide the space between your kitchen and living area, as it still allows for open-plan living while partially enclosing the kitchen to define each zone.
Break It Up
In terms of styling, it pays to tailor your kitchen to suit your personality. While showroom styling is appealing, it can also look cold and uninhabited in the context of your own home. Your kitchen is made
to be used on a daily basis, so homely touches are important.
Stick to similar tones throughout
the design to create a cohesive
and spacious appearance.
Light colours tend to feel clinical when used in large areas, so add a pop of colour to draw focus in the space. Navy cabinetry will remain popular in 2019, particularly when paired with wooden accents, which add a touch of warmth to the dark hue. However, be wary of using wood with red undertones, as it may date your kitchen.
The Art Of Illusion
Not everyone has the luxury of a large kitchen, but there are some ways to make better use of the space that you do have. Stick to similar tones throughout the design to create a cohesive and spacious appearance; light and neutral palettes work best in small spaces.
De-clutter the space by concealing practical objects within ergonomic storage units that are easy to access. Utilise a mirror to make the room appear larger, but remember that whatever you choose to feature in the reflection must add depth to the room. Consider installing a mirror splashback, which will extend the space by reflecting the room beyond or the kitchen itself.
BRILLIANT BATHROOMS
Function And Finesse
When designing your bathroom it’s important to keep functionality in mind. The bathroom is primarily used for washing and preparing for the day, so installing practical products and fixtures will greatly improve your quality of life.
Consider how many people will be using the space, if it’s more than one then a double shower and vanity unit will optimise the amount of space that can be used simultaneously. A double vanity unit will also contribute additional storage for toiletries and linen.
A sectional wall in front of the toilet area can also be used to create separate zones within the bathroom and maintain privacy.
Bathed In Style
A freestanding bath will add a sense of drama to a large bathroom by serving as an anchor point. A platform beneath the bath can further enhance its appearance, particularly if the platform features a contrasting material. Natural materials such as wood and stone will give your bathroom character and make the space more inviting.
Any well-designed bathroom includes layers of task, accent, ambient and decorative lighting. Under-cabinet lighting or backlit mirrors are
popular ways to achieve full-face illumination, which is perfect for makeup application and daily grooming. A skylight is also a great addition as it will allow natural light to flood your bathroom and give the space an airy quality.
Luxurious Living
When it comes to styling a large bathroom, add elements of texture to make the space seem less clinical. Keep the tones similar throughout to add a luxurious feel, and style the space with feature towels to introduce a pattern or pop of colour.
It’s often hard to know what type of art will suit a bathroom, so for something a little bit different, why not incorporate wainscoting? This technique is a great way to break up bare walls that can otherwise leave the space feeling unfinished. Try this in combination with a fresh colour to add a two-tone effect to your walls.
A touch of greenery never goes amiss in a large space. Plants will not only give your bathroom a luscious look, but also improve the air quality. Fortunately, the warmth and high humidity of a bathroom provide the perfect conditions for many tropical plants.
A skylight will allow natural
light to flood your bathroom and
give the space an airy quality.
Positive Space
If your bathroom is on the small side, there are plenty of ways to maximise the use of available space. Add more floorage by removing swinging doors; instead choose sliding options. Extend tiling to the ceiling as gaps can shorten the appearance of walls. Have some fun with the materials to add visual interest, but try to stick with a neutral base palette.
A floating vanity unit will create negative space and trick the eye into believing the room is larger than it is. Avoid frosted-glass showerscreens or dark curtains, as they can shorten the room by concealing spaces that could be opened up with transparent alternatives.
Don’t let your existing or planned interiors overwhelm you; there are endless ways to make the best of what you have. You may only have to expand your mind to expand your home; think creatively, stay focussed on utilising your space well, and you can’t go wrong!