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Imagine this: You stumble upon a captivating kitchen design online—gorgeous cabinetry, sleek benchtops, and a sink that exudes elegance. Excitedly, you save the image and share it with your designer, adding notes like “love those open shelves!” or “hardware perfection!” But here’s the twist: The features you anticipated in your kitchen design, such as those lift-up wall cabinets that you wanted, have been omitted by your kitchen designer from the final design. Why? Because not everything that looks good translates flawlessly into functionality. 

Let’s delve into the delicate balance between aesthetics and practicality in kitchen design.

Lift and Swing Cabinet Doors

There are unique ways to lift cabinet doors instead of swinging them open as usual. With “Swing Up” hardware, the door opens from the top, not the side. With “Lift” hardware, the door slides out and then lifts, almost touching the top of the cabinet.

Things to Think About

These door styles can work well in certain situations—many people like them for cabinets near counters where you might keep appliances. But if you’re taller than 5’3″, the door might block your view of what’s inside. We often place these cabinets higher up to avoid this. Be careful not to put them too high, or they might not close properly. You might need expensive automatic hardware to close them automatically. Also, they might only be suitable for tall windows with high ceilings. Ensure there’s space above the cabinets, like in kitchens where cabinets don’t reach the ceiling.

The Art of Hardware Placement in Your Kitchen

Decorative cabinet hardware exerts immense power in a luxury kitchen design. The choice between knobs and pulls, the orientation (vertical or horizontal), and even the size—all these decisions can either augment or deter your kitchen’s functionality. But fear not; we’re here to guide you through this intricate maze of options.

Knobs vs. Pulls

Knobs are like the elegant bow ties of the kitchen—they add a touch of class. However, let’s be practical: pulls are generally easier to use. But why choose one when you can have both? Consider mixing them up—knobs on swing doors and pulls on drawers and pullouts—for a harmonious blend of style and convenience.

The All-Pulls Trend

If you’re hopping aboard the “all-pull” bandwagon, here’s a little nugget to ponder: placement matters. The position of those sleek pulls can impact the overall aesthetics and functionality. So, before you commit, think about the flow of your kitchen—how smoothly will those pulls glide as you whip up culinary magic?

Remember, hardware isn’t just about looks; it’s about creating a kitchen that balances beauty and practicality.

Drawer or No Drawer

We talked about drawers and pullouts earlier. Now, let’s look at how drawers look. Have you seen doors and drawers that don’t match up? Well, it can look chaotic or feel wrong. Most people like things to line up neatly. But does this always make a kitchen practical? Only sometimes. Let’s explore some ways to make it look better.

Four-Drawer Base Units

Imagine this: A three-drawer base is fantastic for storing pots and pans and works well near your cooking area. Conversely, a four-drawer base is better for shorter items like utensils. Four-drawer bases can be ideally positioned next to the stove, and three-drawer bases next to those. However, this can present a problem – the lines didn’t match up. To solve this, use dark walnut colour for the four-drawer bases to make them stand out and hide the mismatched lines. And move these base cabinets out slightly to make a deliberate difference. It’s a simple way to solve a design problem!

Picture this: You’re in an entirely different kitchen space—the left end of the run demands four-drawer bases for cutlery, utensils, and miscellaneous items. But as you venture toward the trash bins, sink base, and dishwasher, things get chaotic. Fear not! The solution lies in illusion: make all cabinets appear as four-drawer bases, even if they secretly harbour other secrets. And reserve that far-right cabinet exclusively for towels!

A practical kitchen—oh, it’s a thing of beauty! Balancing aesthetics and functionality requires delicacy. Sometimes, you’ll need to make trade-offs, but fear not—your kitchen designer can help navigate those culinary crossroads. So, please pay attention to our wise advice: team up with a professional kitchen designer for a harmonious blend of style and practicality.

Get in Touch with Emporium Kitchens

Need help with building your kitchen renovations ? Call us at Emporium Kitchens on (02) 9645 6706 or enquire now, and our expert team will be glad to assist you.