new, new kitchen
Mix and match Of course, you don’t have to stick to just one school of thought. The best approach is usually a personalised one. This kitchen, for example, mixes high uppers, an artful single shelf and open space to balance storage, decoration and a breath of fresh air. The one hint I would like to make is that to avoid a "cluttered" look with so much out in the open is to keep your kitchen counters clear!!!
Shallow uppers Another way to compromise between open space and closed cabinets is to use slimmer uppers that don’t project as far from the wall. Standard cabinets are usually 30 centimetres deep, but the need to store bulky appliances has raised that depth to 40 centimetres on many cabinet lines. Returning to a 30-centimetre depth or choosing even shallower cabinets gives you ample space to store cans and spices, with those bread makers and slow cookers getting stashed down below or somewhere else.
High uppers The standard placement for upper cabinets has long been between 45 and 60 centimetres above the benchtop. Modern installations now often hang them higher, to give the work surface below more of an open feel. This reduces the amount of cabinet space within easy reach, but still allows for plenty of storage for less commonly used items.
The reach for average American woman is 77" (for man about 84), so essentially anything taller than a 24" upper is not good ergonomic storage suitable for regular or everyday use by most people. A better option is horizontal uppers 24" tall that lift up. Typical builder grade base cabinets (one drawer over doors) are only about 54% ergonomic readily accessible space suitable for regular or everyday use. Put your money in drawer bases and pantries, even if that means cutting back or altogether eliminating uppers.
Play around White, wood and green don’t have to stick to their traditional platforms of walls, floors and plants; you could take these colours and combine them elsewhere. This light green cabinet, with accompanying white crockery and wooden wall art and chairs, is a clever example of how to introduce this winning trio of hues in other ways. Add in a leafy plant and you’ll be ticking all the on-trend boxes.
Distress to impress If you’re partial to the patina of well-worn boards and can’t wait for them to acquire a few scuffs and scrapes, you could experiment with achieving a distressed finish. You can try similar techniques to those used to distress furniture, including applying wax in some areas to prevent paint adhering, or adding several layers of paint and scraping off sections to reveal contrasting colours beneath. I’d recommend trials on spare boards or scrap timber to see which finishes you prefer. There are various workshops around the country teaching techniques for using paint and wax in this way.
Play with a trio Mix up a selection of greens to create depth in your design. Here, forest-green tiles mingle happily with a sage dining set and a pale pistachio wall. To find compatible shades, try picking three from a paint colour card. Try them out on sheets of paper, and tape them on different walls and surfaces around your kitchen to see how each looks in the light and how well they work together.
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