photo courtesy BHG website
As I surf around, I am continually impressed by the creative and beautiful solutions people find for their homes. Sometimes, however, I see something that worries me because it is unsafe. Sometimes I see something that is not as functional as it could have been, and sometimes I see something that could easily have been more beautiful.
Often these are kitchens that have been designed by builders, but sometimes they are designed by the homeowner. In either case, a lot of issues might have been avoided if a design professional, such as a qualified interior designer or an architect, or an experienced kitchen designer had been involved early on in the process.
As a designer, it is heartbreaking to see someone spend huge amounts of time, energy, or money on something, and end up with a product that isn't fabulous.
Good kitchen design is hard. It involves a million little details, like making sure you have appropriate landing areas. And being familiar with local building codes...
image from
Good kitchen design involves understanding how the human body works, and how much space it needs to perform certain tasks. And knowing how much room you need for your feet -- or your knees.
Anthropometric (body) measurements of most use to designers of interior spaces (Panero, J. and Zelnik, M., 1979, p. 30).
Good design involves understanding lighting design concepts. I once had a client whose contractor convinced her she did not need to pay for a lighting design -- he would design the lighting for "free". Rather than spend a couple hundred dollars for good lighting design, this client ended up with SEVENTEEN recessed six-inch cans in her kitchen! The money she spent on unnecessary cans and installation would have more than covered my design cost. I feel so bad for the client. She has a beautiful, expensive kitchen. It took several months for her contractor to complete the project. And she has SEVENTEEN cans! And they are HOT. And she's at an age where she gets hot flashes! image lightingdirect.com
photo courtesy http://rkrc.blogspot.com/
And we cannot forget cabinet layout -- have you ever tried to open a drawer, and discovered the adjacent range was in the way? Or been trapped in front of your corner sink when the dishwasher is open?
source unknown. Note the placement of the prep sink in relation to the stove and
dishwasher. If either of these were opened, the person at the prep sink would be
trapped. That could be especially bad if the combustible window frame over the
range ignited! Also, anyone standing at the prep sink, would be in the way of
people working at the range. And forget about having the dishwasher and the
oven door open at the same time. This kitchen makes me sad, because the
owners obviously spent a lot of time and money here. By spending a just a few
hundred dollars more, they could have gotten a great design to go with their
beautiful appliances and finishes.
Thank God Susan doesn't cook! This set kitchen for Desperate
Housewives has a ridiculously high microwave! Sadly, so do
many real life kitchens. Photo via Hooked on Houses.
This post is being linked to Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday.