What You Must Know About Kitchen Benchtop Design
When it comes to designing a home and living space, whether it is for a new build or renovation, the kitchen can require the most attention in the design phase.
Kitchens are mostly functional, and their space has always been structured according to an industrial logic. The advancement of household equipment, as well as the precise description of the layout, ensure a functional design and the most efficient use of kitchen space.
Kitchens require a wide range of furniture with specialised functions, appliances, electrical and hydraulic points, and, most importantly, a diversity of tasks to be considered.
In addition to choosing floor and wall coverings, the kitchen benchtop, which plays an important role in the family’s daily life, must be carefully chosen in order to have a functional and appealing kitchen.
The Apollo Kitchens design specialists have combined several factors that you must take into consideration and be aware of when you are planning your kitchen benchtop design.
Determine flow and workspaces
A kitchen’s design must take into account the spaces, flows and work areas.
While the kitchen triangle is still a good starting point, the five-zone kitchen layout accommodates more modern needs, open-plan areas, and connecting spaces.
Modern kitchens are used for more than just cooking; they are also frequently used for entertaining, dining, and even working. As a result, the five-zone layout takes into account modern families’ and living situations’ changing needs.
Research has identified five function zones in a kitchen:
Consumables zone: This is where you keep the majority of your food. This could be divided into two sections: one for your refrigerator (fresh food) and another for your pantry or food cabinets (dry goods, oils, etc.).
Non-consumables zone: A storage area for everyday dishes such as plates, bowls, glasses, and silverware.
Cleaning zone: The area where the sink and dishwasher are located (if you have one).
Preparation zone: The area of your kitchen where you do the majority of your cooking. This could be the kitchen benchtop or a kitchen island.
Cooking zone: The area where the cooktop, oven, and possibly the microwave are located.
Wet and dry areas
As the new-age kitchen design progresses, the recent trend is to divide the entire kitchen into a separate wet and dry zone to accommodate our changing lifestyles.
The wet area is near the sink and tap. This is where food is typically handled, whereas the dry area serves as a workspace but can also be used for support, storage, and dining. These two areas may be connected by a single benchtop in smaller kitchens, or they may be separated by space, as with islands and kitchen counters.
The distinction between wet and dry kitchen benchtops is based on practicality, but it also acts as a criterion for selecting finishing materials. Since they are constantly in contact with water, the material of the wet benchtop must be non-porous and resistant to persistent humidity. Wet benchtops are sometimes accompanied by a wall-mounted element that covers the entire benchtop and prevents water infiltration behind the furniture.
Dry worktops can be composed of organic materials such as wood, while wet benchtops are made of stone, stainless steel, or even concrete.
It’s important to note that kitchen benchtops can elevate your kitchen design. The right choice of kitchen benchtop finishes creates useful, durable, and acceptable kitchens for each location’s culture and day-to-day life.
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Kitchen benchtop materials
Choosing a benchtop material for your kitchen can be a difficult task with so many great options available in the market. Preference should be given to materials that are easily washed and disinfected, preventing the spread of bacteria and possible food contamination.
As a result, surfaces should be smooth, and free of holes, fissures, and cracks.
Stainless steel, granites, natural stones, polished concrete and resin materials such as Corian, are among the most commonly used materials.
All are washable and prevent the penetration of microorganisms that cause a variety of diseases when consumed from contaminated food during the manufacturing process.
The right height and length
The kitchen benchtop height should be between 86 cm and 93 cm. It is a standard measurement that serves adults of average height and does not prevent people who are slightly shorter from making good use of it.
This height can vary depending on the stature of the people in the house and even the coating used on the surface.
The length will depend on the layout chosen for the environment and the size of the space. Linear kitchens, for example, have the benchtop placed between the fridge and the sink, making it ideal for smaller spaces.
If you want to make an L-shaped kitchen, you can have a larger benchtop that can accommodate more than one person cooking at the same time.
Interested in learning more about how you can build your dream kitchen? Contact our experienced team today to set up a consultation today.
We’ve helped countless Sydney homeowners transform their spaces by combining current trends with timeless core concepts to create a look that will last for years. We’d be delighted to assist you, too.
