THE KITCHENISTA

Expert advice on kitchen design, trends and innovation

Posts Tagged ‘magnet kitchens’

All I want for Christmas is… A Party Kitchen

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

If you enjoy entertaining and want your kitchen to be ideal place for your guests congregate during the festive period, there are a number of ways to help create the ‘Perfect Party Kitchen’.

Wine coolerStep One – The Wine Fridge
No party kitchen is complete without a built-in wine cooler which are designed to store bottles at the right temperature. Keep them well stocked to make sure that no party, whether planned or impromptu, leaves guests with a dry mouth.

Step Two – Ice Dispenser
A constant supply of ice is vital for any party. Whether mixing cocktails or fruity soft drinks, ice dispensers are great for keeping drinks chilled this winter. They come as standard in most American style fridges.

Step Three – Kitchen Island
At most parties guests have a tendency to congregate in the kitchen. Installing a kitchen island provides the perfect place for revellers to gather ‘round. They are also a great place to dispense drinks or food from.

Step Four – Lighting
The position of lighting can be used to create the right ambience in the kitchen. When hosting a party never switch all the lights on – select carefully and you’ll be able to create the perfect party atmosphere.

Step Five – Coffee Machine
Vital for the morning after the night before. Help put the hangover on hold with a professional coffee machine. Forget instant and enjoy the taste of real percolated coffee, ideal for those who like a strong espresso to start the day.

How to maximise space in a compact kitchen

Friday, November 6th, 2009

The most important thing to take into consideration is the size and shape of your kitchen. Magnet offer a number of slimline units and built in space saving solutions to help maximize the space in kitchens of all shapes and sizes. Smaller kitchens benefit from plainer frontals or those with a lighter finish. Simple slab doors like the Urban Calico range help create a minimalist feel, while gloss finishes help increase the feeling of space by reflecting light.

An example of a specially designed compact kitchen range

An example of a specially designed compact kitchen range

Don’t feel you need to choose between wall and floor units if your kitchen is compact. A bank of tall larder units can be a great solution and look striking in one area of the kitchen.

Lighting is an important feature within any home and non-more so than in the kitchen when preparing food. Light can enhance the perception of dimensions whilst clever use of reflective services can maximise the look without the discomfort of installing numerous high intensity lighting features. To maximise room height, avoid suspended ceiling lights and the use of lamp shades.

Bring colour into dark shadowy rooms that often create an inhospitable and depressive atmosphere. Avoid beige at all costs and do not plump for dark shades or metallics, be adventurous – choose a colour that will bring a smile to your face.