A mistake some people make when deliberating on custom kitchen design is focusing on changes that will make this room appear trendy. The problem with this approach is that whatever may be in right now, could easily become an outdated fad the following year. A better way to customise this space would be to focus on elements that make the room uniquely suited to your needs and house at large!
If you do not know where to start, it is always a great idea to request your general contractor to make this space bright, as lighting affects the mood and overall aesthetic of the kitchen. Check out the following features to incorporate into a custom kitchen design for enhanced illumination.
Switch out solid cabinet doors for glass
Solid cabinet doors have been the gold standard for decades! And this pervasiveness in homes all across Australia can be attributed to the fact that homeowners think this is the best way to keep their kitchens clutter-free, as everything is hidden behind these doors! But this is not ideal if you want to make the most of the lighting in your kitchen. Solid cabinet doors tend to cast shadows in your space, making the room look darker than it is. To revamp this room, you should start by switching out these cabinet doors for glass fronts instead!
Firstly, you get the chance to display expensive china or other special dishware. Secondly, the glass lets light filter through the cabinets, so you do not have to worry about unnecessary shadows in this space. As a bonus, you should install cabinet lighting that highlights the cabinets while simultaneously adding more illumination to your space.
Invest in strategically placed solar tubes
Undoubtedly, the easiest way to increase the natural illumination in your kitchen would be to expand your current windows or add more windows. Nonetheless, this is not always an option for every homeowner. Perhaps you cannot have a picture window in this room since you do not have a view to enjoy. Or maybe your budget does not allow for tinkering with the walls. Whatever the case, you can make up for a lack of an adequate amount of windows by opting for solar tubes!
Similar to skylights, these fixtures are installed on the roof of your kitchen. However, unlike skylights, they have a much smaller footprint as they look more like recessed cans than actual windows! Solar tubes are highly unobtrusive, and this allows you to install them on multiple parts of your ceiling depending on where you want additional illumination! A few great places to install solar tubes include over benchtops, islands, breakfast nooks and more.
