KBB l KNOW HOW 14


Invest in quiet appliances. If you’re dreaming of an open-plan


kitchen-living-diner, choose appliances with noise levels of less that 60dB (the level of average human conversation) to make sure family meals or evenings watching TV aren’t disturbed by a loud washing machine, dishwasher, or extractor.


left The latest look for extractors is in-hob systems such as the Modula hob by Falmec, £3256. Apart from sleek design and extraction rate of 600m3/h the Modula’s unique selling point is that there are three different combinations of induction surfaces and integrated extraction to choose from depending on your needs.


below Whether you want to achieve a luxury look or simply need plenty of storage for fresh produce, Fisher & Paykel’s RS6121SRK1 column fridge, £6999, combines the two into one sleek appliance. Discreetly hidden away, you can customise the doors with your own kitchen fronts and handles, for a seamless fit. The matching column freezer is also priced £6999.


15


Get connected. Many appliance brands, including Miele, Siemens, Smeg, and Hoover now have apps that allow you to control them from your smartphone or tablet.


16 17


VENTILATION IS IS CRUCIAL, PARTICULARLY IN OPEN-PLAN DESIGN. Pick an extractor compatible with the size of your


room. A good rule of thumb is to work out the volume of your kitchen (length x width x height) – for instance 4m x 3m x 2.5m = 30m3 – and then multiply that by 10, as that’s how oſten your appliance should be able to filter the air in your space per hour. This will give you a rate of extraction. “Choose a design that is powerful, silent and ideally extracts outside,” agrees Nicky Dobree at Nicky Dobree Interior Designs. Also ensure good ducting for top performance.


Make sure your sink and taps look good together – especially if you’re buying them from different brands, as finishes will vary.


18 19


SAVE SPACE BY THE SINK. The advent of three and four-in-one taps means you no longer have to include an extra hole for a boiling-water or


filter tap – plus you don’t have to keep an area clear on the worktop to place a kettle, which can be a bonus in compact rooms. However, make sure your plan includes a spot for the water tank below the sink if you choose a multi-purpose tap.


Make clever flooring choices. Whatever style you go for, it needs to be hard-wearing. Engineered


wood is a good option as it’s more forgiving if you have a habit 60 KITCHENS BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS l SUMMER 20


of dropping things. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are easy to clean and picking a large-format design, which requires less grout, can give a room a sense of space.


flows from inside to out or if you have children and animals.


material that will stand up to the use you’ll give it – especially in the areas where preparation and washing up take place.


20 21


Pick a durable worktop. Surfaces are probably the most used element in a kitchen so invest in a


LAY A FLOOR WITH AN ANTI-SLIP SURFACE. This is always a good safety consideration, but particularly important if it


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148