POSITIONING YOUR kitchen services
When you are designing your new kitchen you need to consider what services you will need and the best location for each one. Kitchen services include plumbing for sinks, dishwashers and fridges with water supply. Kitchen services also include all your electricity needs such as power points, lighting and any hard wired appliances. Deciding where to put these services can be overwhelming especially if this is the first time you have designed a kitchen.
Plumbing exposed
When you are designing your kitchen you need to consider the following plumbing requirements:
- Always place your dishwasher next to your sink. This will save you the added expense of running plumbing pipes through cupboards and under kitchen floors. It is also a practical solution for moving dirty dishes from the sink to the dishwasher without creating a mess.
- If you have chosen to have a fridge that supplies cold drinking water you will need to ensure the plumber is able to run pipes to the location of the fridge. Also make sure you place the fridge somewhere that the doors can be fully opened without hitting walls or other cupboards.
- Filtered, boiling and chilled water from the sink are a feature that many people are including in their kitchen designs. If you decided to include these make sure you have enough bench space or back landing on your fitted sink to include two taps.
Power play
Have you joined the electrical appliance bandwagon? Do you have a powered gadget to conquer every culinary task? Now that you have the ability to purchase just about any electrical appliance you can think of you need to consider how you will run these great devices in your new kitchen. Your kitchen design may need to include:
Hidden power points - in cupboards, pantries and behind doors. With the onset of the minimalist look most of us want to hide away our appliances, toasters in 'garages' and microwaves in the pantry. Don't forget you need to power these.
Multiple power points - you need to be able to use your appliances simultaneously and that means having several power outlets in different locations around your kitchen. Ensure you include at least two double outlets as a minimum.
Location of power points - consider how you use your kitchen. Where will you be using your appliances and how will you be using them. You will need to locate power points next to your oven, fridge, dishwasher and if you have a free standing appliance such as a Thermomix you will need to cater to that as well. You will need to chose the location of all your kitchen lighting. Power will need to be run to the location of pendant lights, main ceiling lights and any cupboard lighting.
Hidden power points - in cupboards, pantries and behind doors. With the onset of the minimalist look most of us want to hide away our appliances, toasters in 'garages' and microwaves in the pantry. Don't forget you need to power these.
Multiple power points - you need to be able to use your appliances simultaneously and that means having several power outlets in different locations around your kitchen. Ensure you include at least two double outlets as a minimum.
Location of power points - consider how you use your kitchen. Where will you be using your appliances and how will you be using them. You will need to locate power points next to your oven, fridge, dishwasher and if you have a free standing appliance such as a Thermomix you will need to cater to that as well. You will need to chose the location of all your kitchen lighting. Power will need to be run to the location of pendant lights, main ceiling lights and any cupboard lighting.
preparing your kitchen design
If you need help determining the best position for your plumbing and electrical services you can consult KICH, your Gold Coast or Brisbane designer kitchen company. KICH offer a FREE kitchen design service and their team of professionals will help you place your services in just the right spot.