Kitchen Design Features For Your Custom Home

The kitchen is the heartbeat of the home, and during your custom home design phase, it’s the room that needs the most consideration. From cabinets and storage to fixtures and lighting, Zee Builders understands custom kitchen design. This guide will help you select those unique kitchen design features that will make your kitchen the focal point of your home and a functional space for day-to-day living.

Sinks

The kitchen is typically the most-used room in a home, and its functional nature makes having a useful and stylish kitchen sink a necessity. As you design your new custom kitchen, keep in mind your day-to-day activities, including home cooking or entertaining guests. Consider the following styles of sinks as you plan your custom kitchen.
• Drop-in sinks: These spacious sinks drop into the counter cabinet and rest on the countertop. The visible seal and flush mount make these sinks more sanitary and easier to clean than undermount styles. Installation is also more straightforward, and repair and maintenance costs are much less than undermount sinks.
• Undermount sinks: The unique sinks are mounted underneath the counter cabinet, with the countertop extending over the sink’s rim. The seamless design gives your kitchen a streamlined and sleek look and is ideal for minimalist and modern design schemes.
• Farmhouse sinks: Known for their huge basins and waist height, these sinks are a trending option in Sydney custom homes. Kitchens are returning to their function as the gathering place of the house, and these sinks harken back to a time that was focused on creating good food and sharing it with family and friends.
• Restaurant-style sinks: If you plan to do a lot of entertaining in your new custom home, a commercial-grade restaurant-style sink may be an option. This sink style is usually stainless steel and features a large spray hose. This look is ideal for the modern industrial design aesthetic.

Islands

In the middle of many spacious kitchens is a central island—a freestanding cupboard and countertop with additional storage. Some islands are more complex and include inset appliances or room for seating. Consider the following styles of islands as you design your custom kitchen.
• Bi-level island with seating: An island with a raised section and room for seating is ideal for families with children. This informal seating area makes a great space for homework, learning cooking skills, or spending time with friends and family. The bi-level design also separates the cooking prep from the activities at seat level.
• Storage cabinets: An island is a functional work surface, and it also provides plenty of extra storage space. Islands with a bank of storage cabinets are ideal for smaller kitchens with limited storage space. Cubbies and exposed shelving are also popular options for island storage.
• Countertop range: Installing a countertop range in your island can be a great way to gain back counter space in the rest of your kitchen. A central range is ideal for entertaining or for keeping an eye on other areas of the house while cooking.
• Heated or refrigerated drawers: If you like to entertain or cook more formal meals for friends and family, consider including heated or refrigerated drawers in your kitchen island. The cooling drawer can keep food items chilled until right before serving, and a heating drawer can be helpful when serving hot food at parties or for keeping plates warm.
• Sink and Dishwasher: A fully functional kitchen island usually includes a sink and dishwasher. This island feature gives you more counter space around the perimeter of your kitchen and creates an accessible central place to put your dishes while preparing and cooking meals.

Cabinetry

All kitchens feature a selection of kitchen cabinets. Depending on your needs, you may require more or fewer cabinets in your kitchen space. Different cabinet styles provide ample storage, structure for your countertops and appliances, and room to display some of your favourite kitchen décor items. Consider the following types of cabinetry as you design your custom kitchen.
• To-the-Ceiling Cabinetry: Cabinets that extend from the floor to the ceiling are a trending option to maximise kitchen space and give you more room for storage. Sky-high cabinets also make smaller kitchens appear larger and are a popular addition to continental or traditional custom kitchen designs.
• Under-Cabinet Lighting: Installing lights under your upper kitchen cabinets is a great way to add ambient lighting and make kitchen counters and work areas more functional. Under-cabinet lighting also increases your home’s resale value because it increases the overall brightness of the kitchen.
• Custom Drawer and Cabinet Storage: Different drawers and storage options for custom cabinets are based on the type of cooking you do and the other equipment you use day-to-day. As you think about your kitchen design, consider your pots and pans, baking trays, and crockery and how you would like them stored for accessibility and ease of use.
• Concealed Trash and Recycling: Many modern custom kitchens include drawers or lower-cabinet compartments that can hold trash, recycling, and compost bins. This unique feature helps keep your kitchen free of clutter and keeps trash bins away from pets and children.
• Display Cabinets: If you have fine dinnerware or decorative items that you want to display, consider including open or glass-enclosed display cabinets in your custom kitchen design. The cabinets blend in with your other cabinetry but feature glass panels that allow the items inside to be visible.

Pantry

The kitchen pantry is one of the more functional parts of your kitchen design because it’s where your surplus food and sundry items are stored. Depending on how much home cooking is done in your home will dictate the size and style of your pantry. There are different styles to suit your lifestyle and the amount of cabinet space you want to dedicate to dry storage. Consider the following pantry styles as you design your custom kitchen.
• Walk-In Pantry: A walk-in pantry is the most common type of pantry in a custom-designed kitchen. These large pantries have their own doors and can be hidden to blend in with the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. Walk-in pantries are ideal for home cooks and families who want to stock many dry goods and staples for long-term storage.
• Butler’s Pantry: Also known as a scullery, a butler’s pantry is a popular addition to new custom kitchens. This area is usually found between the kitchen and dining room and acts as a formal food preparation and service area. This unique pantry also has additional storage and is often used to store more formal dinnerware, china, and crystal.
• Slide-Out Pantry: These functional pantries feature tall open shelves on casters that allow homeowners to access all goods in the cabinet easily. This shelf style is popular for smaller kitchens where space is limited.
• Built-In Wall Pantry: A built-in wall pantry is essentially an extension of your cabinets. They are built to match your cabinetry and can be enclosed with drawers or open with exposed shelving. Built-ins maximise shelf space, create a seamless look, and provide easy access to pantry staples and food preparation items.
• Freestanding Pantry: A freestanding pantry is a piece of furniture separate and detached from the surrounding cabinets. Although the pantry itself won’t be part of your kitchen design, you must allocate enough space for it in your design before custom cabinets are in place.

Lighting

As the house’s focal point, the kitchen must have bold and functional lighting. Most kitchens are used for a variety of tasks, from cooking and entertaining to homework and office work. Incorporating different lighting styles into your kitchen design will allow you to modify the lighting to suit each situation and occasion. Consider the following lighting styles as you design your custom kitchen.
• Ambient Lighting: The overall lighting scheme of your kitchen is known as its ambient light. This is the base level of lighting and is akin to a soft, warm glow. It provides uniform light density and is the perfect backdrop for accent and decorative lighting.
• Accent Lighting: Accent lighting is used to highlight specific kitchen areas, such as art displays, open shelving, or unique décor or design elements. Accent lighting can include wall sconces, track lighting, or mini spot lights to illuminate the inside of your custom kitchen cabinets.
• Recessed Lights: If you are looking for a modern and sleek custom kitchen design, opt for recessed lighting. These lights are inset into the ceiling and give the kitchen a minimalist aesthetic and uninterrupted visual flow. They can also be positioned to highlight specific areas of the counter and walls.
• Pendant Lights: If you are looking for a decorative way to provide ample light to your kitchen space, consider a series of pendant lights. These lights hang down from the surface and provide direct light to the kitchen counters, sink, stove, and island areas.
• Oversized Light Fixtures: What better way to make a statement in your custom-built kitchen than to include oversized light fixtures. Whether you choose a large vintage chandelier or a modern decorative fixture, this is your chance to create a focal point in your kitchen and tie together elements of your dining room and lounge room to create a cohesive overall aesthetic.

Zee Builders understands the function of your custom-designed kitchen as the center of your new home. Working with Zee Builders to design your new custom kitchen is an ideal way to create a functional and inviting space for your family to enjoy for years to come.