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DENISE O'CONNORon kitchen improvements

WHEN INVITED to anyone’s home, people always congregate in the kitchen. Be it a generous open-plan dining and living space or a small, galley-style affair, there’s no denying that the kitchen is truly the heart of the home.

It is no surprise, then, that top of practically every one of my clients’ lists of desired improvements is an optimised kitchen-dining area.

I was asked to sit on the judging panel for the Irish Kitchen Trade Awards.

One of the finalists told us that as a rule he embarks on a mini counselling session prior to starting work on a kitchen, because of the level of upheaval that can be expected. As an architect I thought this was a fantastic idea, as popular TV shows have created the illusion that these things can be done overnight.

Because the kitchen is such an important room in the house, it can be very unsettling when it’s out of action. We had one client who was so distressed at the thought of the works that we arranged to have everything done while she was on holidays.

Buying a kitchen is a substantial investment. This is the room in the house that you and your family will spend most of your time in, so in changing anything it’s vital you make the right decisions.

When it comes to great kitchen design, good ergonomic planning and clever storage are essential. If you are bamboozled by layouts and how best to use the space you have, do call on the experts for advice. This doesn’t have to be a costly exercise.

When it comes to the best layout, a simpler more contemporary kitchen layout tends to function better than the more traditional wraparound L-shaped and U-shaped versions.

When planning your kitchen, try to open up the space as much as possible to create good flow from the living area through to the kitchen and even out to the garden.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a functional and stylish kitchen. Just as in fashion, if you get the accessories right nobody will know the difference in overall cost. Spend a little more on good-quality surfaces to give a high-end feel to less expensive units.

We’ve had clients who have had solid timber kitchens which we’ve resprayed. By making slight adjustments, like changing the handles and splashback, the kitchen looks brand new for a fraction of the cost of replacing it.

For those on a tight budget there are plenty of companies offering cost-effective options. But the devil, as they say, is in the detail. Get yourself a good, no, a great fitter. Even the most expensive kitchen can look cheap if it’s poorly installed.

Denise O’Connor is an architect and design consultant