You have bought a property in Cyprus and are about to move in or you have decided to completely renovate your long-established home. Either way, the kitchen is the place that needs the most attention. Firstly, frequent repairs in the kitchen are simply impossible (it is difficult and long), secondly, here you can not do a full-fledged rearrangement, as in the other rooms. Thirdly, furniture for the kitchen is often made to order, so everything should be as close to the ideal as possible.
In general, there is no need to explain why the planning of the kitchen should be approached without haste and with great thoughtfulness. In this article we will analyze 10 mistakes and immediately "fix" them, offering the most successful options.
1. Not enough light
In the kitchen, especially in the working area, there should be not just a lot of light, but a lot of light! Just one light fixture, even for a tiny kitchen, is an unacceptable option. Lighting is simply not enough to make the "cook" feel comfortable.
Even if the kitchen is small, even if there is a huge window, even if your family does not cook much. Believe me! It is not worth saving on light fixtures. Every time you get up to the stove, the lack of lighting will make you nervous and create a lot of inconvenience.
Based on practice, the most advantageous option is the location of spotlights above the working area. And not on the wall, but exactly from above: on the ceiling or the second row of cabinets (if any). The third option is a special board or bar hanging from the ceiling, to which small lights are attached. It is ideal if each zone is switched on/off separately - this will save electricity, which in Cyprus, as we know, is not cheap at all.
Tip: choose warm but bright lamps. This will relieve eye strain and create a pleasant atmosphere in the room.
2. Marked or unstable flooring
The first thing that comes to mind from non-marking and durable is porcelain tile. Indeed, this surface is very easy to clean (plus it doesn't absorb liquids), and it can't be cracked if you drop something heavy on it. It is not slippery and looks aesthetically pleasing. And porcelain stoneware is also pleasantly cooling in the heat, which is very important for summer in Cyprus.
But from here follows the opposite: in winter it is very cold on the tiles. If the floor is not heated, you will have to walk in real shoes. However, native Cypriots do this in winter. If you can run a warm floor system or are ready to adopt Cypriot traditions, porcelain stoneware is ideal.
Other flooring that would be suitable for kitchens:
- regular tile - easy to clean, but can rub through and chip;
- linoleum - easy to clean and quite warm, but with a relatively short lifespan;
- cork flooring - easy to clean, looks stylish, and keeps out the cold in winter, but it can quickly be brought into disrepair.
It should be noted right away that laminate flooring, especially for a Cypress kitchen, is not a good option. He does not like moisture and high temperatures (for example, near the oven), and certain types can be permanently colored from food (from carrots, a spilled juice).
Also for a large kitchen, you can consider a combined floor. In this case, the working area is covered with the most durable and non-marking material (porcelain tiles, tiles), and the dining area - something more cozy.
3. a small number of outlets
These days, you want more outlets in any room. But with the advent of wireless technology, the living room, bedroom, and even the study can do with an average number. Whereas in the kitchen, there should be a VERY large number of outlets.
To keep them out of sight, they can be "hidden" in the wall, located behind cabinets, or near the floor. The main thing is that they were in their place, and you do not have to use extension cords all the time.
So, in the area of the refrigerator, there should be at least 2 outlets, in the area of the stove - two more outlets. If there is a dishwasher, coffee machine, and microwave, the situation is the same. Near the work surface should be at least 4 outlets - so that you can turn on 4 appliances at once.
Additional sockets will not be superfluous: near the dining area and the bar, if there is one. In other words, it's best not to skimp: in the kitchen, you need outlets the most.
4. cabinets without good door closers
It would seem that this is an obvious point. But, for some reason, some people continue to save on such a necessary thing. Or maybe they think that it is simply not needed.
The door closer is a guarantee of safety. Not only children and pets but also adults. Plus it is a convenience that simply cannot be overestimated.
Closers should be of high quality so that they operate smoothly and close the doors tightly. Also, a good door closer should not force you to force the door open.
5. Small or uncomfortable sink
Even if you have a dishwasher or don't cook much, you should still make your sink large, deep, and comfortable. This will save you nerves, and the surrounding space will be dry (at the very least, there will be less splashing).
The following are recognized as the most common mistakes when choosing or installing a sink:
- shallow depth - everything will be splashed with water;
- inconvenient shape (square, rectangular) - the corners of the sink accumulate dirt faster, which is inconvenient to wash out;
- a bad faucet - this applies both to the size (too short/ too low) and other characteristics (for example, now more and more often for kitchens are installed bending gooseneck, and it is very convenient);
- one section - practice proves that a sink of two sections is much better and more functional;
- installation in the corner - this makes the approach to the sink itself inconvenient.
If you have the money or the opportunity to install a modern sink with a bunch of "contrivances" - be sure to do it. The modern industry offers a lot of very convenient options, but "grandma's" square sinks in the corner should be a thing of the past.
6. Bulky kitchen cabinets
If you take into account that the kitchen in Cyprus is usually combined with the living room, you should think about aesthetics, "lightness" and freedom of common space. In the usual sense, the kitchen is one or two walls (with an angle), filled at the bottom and hung on top of cabinets. From the point of view of storage, it is very convenient. From the point of view of use - doubtful, and from a design point of view it is a big and fat minus.
If possible, it is worth abandoning the so-called "second tier", that is, the upper cabinets. Free space under the ceiling will significantly "lighten" the kitchen. But then how to store kitchen utensils, which is usually a lot?
Option one: make 1 or 2 narrow cabinets under the ceiling. Visually something narrow and tall will draw out the space and "raise" the ceiling, and only part of the wall will be occupied.
Option two: make a more extensive "first tier". So that all the kitchen things could fit into it.
If the "second tier" can not be refused, you can resort to a trick. For example, to place on top of not closed cabinets, and open shelves. They are narrower and also do not look bulky. An alternative - glass small cabinets. They can be closed (to protect, for example, dishes from dust and grease), but will still look small and stylish.
7. Lack of a hood and "apron"
Humidity in the kitchen is always elevated. What to say about the humidity in Cyprus? Add to this the constant splashing of water and food, and specific odors. In other words, you just can't do without an "apron" and an extractor hood!
If you read this with surprise - how can you refuse such necessary things - then we will explain. Recently, many designers have advised removing these familiar attributes to "free up" the kitchen, make the space more cozy, and generally take a fresh look at the place for cooking. In terms of aesthetics, the direction of thought is interesting. From a practical point of view - it does not stand the test of real life.
Today, hoods are made very ergonomic and almost invisible, so you can easily choose a device to your taste. And the "apron" can be performed as discreetly as possible, so that it does not catch the eye. But it is not worth giving up these two key items in the kitchen.
8. Uncomfortable dimensions of kitchen furniture
It would seem, how can you customize an uncomfortable thing for yourself? It turns out that you can. And such mistakes are made very often. The reason is usually the same: there is no opportunity to try everything that is depicted in the drawings, in life. The inconvenience is discovered only in operation. And if dining chairs can be changed quite easily, then with a kitchen set such a trick will not pass.
What to do? Remember your experience: what in the previous kitchen you were comfortable with, and what - not? If possible, go to visit friends to "try" their kitchens. Note all the pros and cons. Do not be lazy to spend more time in furniture stores to look around and familiarize yourself with the range in person, not online.
And be sure to take a few measurements. Be clear about the height of the work surfaces and their width. Ideally, it's worth ordering a 3D visualization to get a better idea of what's going on. Don't rush into ordering a set until you are sure of your wishes and measurements.
9. Misuse of corners
One example of the unfortunate use of a corner was above - the corner sink. There are a couple of other examples - the "blind" space in the corner or ignoring it. It is worth utilizing it. For example, with the help of special corner cabinets or shelves.
A more complicated, but interesting option is to place a cooktop in the corner and above it an extractor hood. This will save space and give an unusual result. If high costs are acceptable, you can make a redesign of the kitchen so that the corners are "smoothed" at all.
10. No separation from the living room
In Cyprus, a common layout is an open plan, where the space is shared by both the living room and the kitchen. In this case, you get a large and spacious room, which nevertheless needs to be zoned and sometimes completely separated.
The division should be not only visual (different finishes, popular bar counter) but also functional. It is good if it is possible to make a difference in the height of the floor or to position the dining area so that it acts as an organic-looking "intermediary" between the kitchen and the living room. Lighting also works well for zoning.
In some cases, it makes sense to put a non-solid partition: a decorative grid or glass. A separate wall between the kitchen and living room should be made only if it is vital to separate these two rooms (for example, so that the housemates do not interfere with each other).
Interested in accommodation in Cyprus? Check out DOM! The agency's website has the largest real estate database in the country - more than 30 thousand residential and commercial properties all over the island! Here you will find information about the latest development projects. Select and contact professional real estate brokers who will help you make the right choice!
Read also:
- The best gated family complexes in Limassol
- Hi-tech, constructivism and minimalism: popular interior styles in Cyprus
- School next to home: properties for sale near the most popular educational centers in Cyprus
- How to prepare your home for winter in Cyprus?
- 5 Life Hacks to use mirrors in interior design in Cyprus
- Best color solutions for your apartment in Cyprus
