What Does a Kitchen Designer Do?

Kitchen design refers to the rational arrangement of cabinets, kitchen utensils and various kitchen appliances in accordance with their shape, size and use requirements, and ingenious matching to achieve the integration of kitchen utensils.

Kitchen design

(decoration design)

1. Operating platform height: When working in the kitchen, the height of the operating platform plays a decisive role in preventing fatigue and turning around flexibly. When you bend your body forward 20 degrees for a long time, it will cause a great load on your waist, and back pain will accompany it in the long run. Therefore, the height of the platform must be determined according to your height.

2. Lighting arrangement: The kitchen lights need to be divided into two levels: one is for the entire kitchen, and the other is for the washing, preparation and operation. The latter is generally equipped with local lights in the lower part of the cabinet, convenient switching devices, and generally good range hoods also have lights, which is sufficient for cooking.

3. Electrical equipment embedded in the cabinet: In the kitchen design of the new house, the relevant kitchen utensils can be arranged in the appropriate position in the cabinet due to the different needs of each person, which is convenient to open and use.

4. The low cabinet in the kitchen is best to have drawers: The low cabinet in the kitchen is best to be made with push-pull drawers, so that it is easy to access and put in, and the visual is better. The hanging cabinet is generally made into a multi-layer lattice with a width of 30-40cm, and the cabinet door is made in the form of a split or a folding sliding door.

5. Make full use of the effective space: The gap between the cabinet and the operating platform can generally be used, and it is easy to put some utensils in the middle of cooking, and some can also be used as simple rolling shutter doors to prevent dust from falling on small appliances. Such as food processors, toasters, etc.

6, child safety protection: In many places in the kitchen, consideration must be given to preventing children from becoming dangerous. If necessary guardrails are set on the stove to prevent the pots and bowls from falling, various washing products should be placed under a low cabinet (

Three principles of kitchen design: rational line, attention to detail, and beautiful appearance

The room is a user-friendly design, so in addition to some standard sizes and heights, the kitchen can be tailored to the user's height:

The width of group 1 pools should not be too narrow. It is best to connect the pools to the operation platform, and the height of the cabinet above the pools should be measured carefully, otherwise it will increase labor intensity.

2 The width of the countertop and the width of the hanging cabinet should be paid attention to, otherwise there may be a chance of collision during operation. And the best way to open the cabinet is to lift the cabinet door, which is convenient and practical.

3 It is best to use more drawers for the layout of the base cabinet, which has more storage and is easy to use at a glance.

4 It is best to use glass doors or glass frames for the cabinets, so that the kitchens that are not too large will not feel depressed.

Kitchen maintenance and protection, we must first understand the various materials of the kitchen. The materials of kitchen utensils can generally be divided into plywood and melamine. Plywood is widely used because it meets environmental protection requirements and has strong plasticity. In terms of floor materials, rubber and plastic also have many advantages, such as cheap price, flexible material, safer, easy to clean, rich patterns and so on. However, it should be properly treated on the back of the building material during use, and placed on a flexible, heat-insulating and level surface. When handling cement floor, pay attention to moisture-proof measures. The best method is to add a layer of moisture-proof pad and insulation. The boards are then laid on the floor.

(1) One-line: All working areas are arranged on one wall, which is usually used when the space is not large and the corridor is narrow. All work is done in a straight line, saving space. However, the workbench should not be too long, otherwise it is easy to reduce efficiency. Without obstructing the passage, a telescopic or foldable panel can be arranged for emergency needs.

(2) L-type: Three working centers of cleaning, catering and cooking are arranged in order in the L-shaped wall space connected to each other. It is better not to design the L-shaped side too long, so as not to reduce the work efficiency. This kind of space is more common and economical.

(3) U-shape: There are two corners in the work area, which have roughly the same functions as the L-shape and require more space. The sink is best placed at the bottom of the U-shape, and the catering area and the cooking are separated on both sides, so that the sink, the refrigerator and the cooking utensil are connected into a regular triangle. The distance between the U-shapes is based on 120 cm to 150 cm, so that the total length and sum of the triangles are within the valid range. This design can add more storage space

(4) Corridor type: arrange the work area on two parallel lines. In the work center allocation, the cleaning area and the catering area are often arranged together, while the cooking is located in a single place. If there is enough space, the dining table can be arranged at the end of the room.

(5) Variation: evolved according to four basic forms, and can be innovative according to space and personal preferences

Kitchen design

. It is a novel and unique design that separates the kitchen table into an island type. The table design is added in the appropriate place, which can be flexibly used for breakfast, ironing, flower arrangement, wine mixing, etc.

The height of the worktable is set according to the height of the human body. The height of the cabinet is suitable for the height of the person who uses the kitchen most. The worktop should be 800-850mm high. The distance between the worktop and the bottom of the hanging cabinet should be about 500-600mm. The height of the stove top is preferably not more than 600 mm. The door handle of the cabinet door should be convenient for the height of the most common users, and the place for easy storage is best used for storing common items.

The table or bar in the open kitchen is at a moderate distance, which can raise the table top to 1000-1100 mm, and the chair or bar stool can be about 400-450 mm high. Adding a foot pedal under the bar makes it very comfortable.

The cabinet panel emphasizes durability, and the cabinet door is the main facade of the cabinet, which has an important influence on the look and feel of the entire cabinet. Fire-resistant rubber sheet is the most commonly used door panel material, and the cabinet board can also use clear glass, frosted glass, aluminum plate, etc., which can increase the sense of the times of design.

Illumination should also take into account recognition. It is better to use fluorescent lamps that can maintain the original colors of vegetables and fruits. This will not only make the dishes appeal to appetite, but also help the housewife to have higher discrimination when washing.

A more economical and practical option for the ceiling is to install a grid reflective lamp panel, which has sufficient lighting and is easy to disassemble and clean; the lower part of the ceiling cabinet can also be equipped with lights to avoid hand shadows caused by the light emitted from the ceiling, further facilitating washing.

The layout of pipelines focuses on skill. As kitchen equipment becomes more and more electronic, in addition to basic equipment such as refrigerators, rice cookers, and range hoods, there are also disinfection cupboards, microwave ovens, and various food processing equipment. The distribution of the plugs must be reasonable and sufficient.

The most basic concept of kitchen design is a "triangular work space", so the sink, refrigerator and stove should be placed in an appropriate position. The most ideal is a triangle, and the distance between them is preferably no more than one meter. At the beginning of the design work, the ideal approach is to use the daily routines of household chores as the basis for design. ^[4]

Connotation of kitchen design space

Let the kitchen space show a rich connotation

The dark-colored space, in order to match the festive atmosphere, does not need to use the same style of chandeliers. A creative red chandelier can break the seriousness of the dining space and adjust the dining atmosphere to a lively and relaxed atmosphere. Industrial scales can be used for metal scales, metal knife holders, coffee machines, etc. at the operating table, which makes the kitchen space express a rich connotation.

Kitchen design decoration note

1. The kitchen door should not conflict with the refrigerator door;

2. Never set the drawer in the corner of the cabinet;

3. The floor is suitable for non-slip and thick floor tiles, and the interface should be small, which is not conducive to the accumulation of dirt and easy to clean.

4. There are many electrical appliances in the kitchen, so reserve more jacks, and all need to install leakage protection devices.

5. The lighting in the kitchen should be sufficient, and the lighting should be white, otherwise the color judgment will be affected, and the food will not be recognized. At the same time, avoid the shadow of the light, so the spotlight is not suitable for use.

6. Before decorating the kitchen, you need to take into account the radiators in the kitchen to prevent cabinet doors and drawers from colliding with them;

7. Do not collide with the kitchen window opening and sink faucet. Measure the kitchen twice to avoid being passive afterwards.

8. The distance between the stove and the sink should not be too far or too close.

9. It is a trend that refrigerators enter the kitchen, but the location should not be near the stove, because the latter often generates heat and is a source of pollution, which affects the temperature in the refrigerator.

10. The refrigerator should not be too close to the sink, to avoid leakage of electricity due to splashed water.

11. The cutting board should be placed near the window, it is best to let the sun shine.

12. Do not approach the window to prevent the stove from being blown out by the wind.

13. The three major functional areas of storage, washing, and cooking in the kitchen often form working triangles. Depending on the type of house, they can be designed as a flat, U-shaped, L-shaped, corridor-shaped, and variable-type. The clever design and use of the working triangle will make your kitchen more reasonable.

14. Avoid materials that are not water resistant. The kitchen is a place that is prone to moisture accumulation, and all surface decorative materials should be selected from materials with excellent water resistance and water resistance. The materials on the floor and operation surface should not leak or leak. Wall and ceiling materials should be water-resistant and washable with water.

15. Avoid flammable materials. Fire is an indispensable energy source in the kitchen, so the surface decoration used in the kitchen must pay attention to fire prevention requirements, especially the fire retardant properties of the materials around the stove. A friend told me that he had used plastic plates to shield the pipes standing by the wall, which was convenient and beautiful. Because the gas stove was placed next to it, the plastic plates ignited by a cooking fire were almost a fire. Such a lesson should be taken as a warning.

16. Avoid drinking tableware. In the kitchen, there are many and miscellaneous items such as pots and pans, bottles, cans, etc. If exposed, it is easy to stain and difficult to clean. Therefore, the furniture in the kitchen should be closed as much as possible, and various utensils and articles should be stored in cabinets in separate categories, which is both sanitary and tidy.

17. Avoid pinching and sewing. The kitchen is a place where dirt and dirt can be easily hidden. Try to keep it free of cracks. For example, the gap between the ceiling cabinet and the ceiling should be avoided as much as possible, because the ceiling is easy to condense water vapor or oil fume stains, and the top of the cabinet is easy to accumulate dirt, which will become a difficult point of daily cleaning in the future. The gap between the pipes below the pool is not easy to clean. It should be sealed with a door, and it can also be used to put garbage cans or other debris inside.

18. Avoid using mosaic flooring. Mosaic is water-resistant and non-slip. It is a flooring material used in the kitchen in the past. However, the mosaic surface is small, there are many gaps, it is easy to hide dirt, and it is not easy to clean. It is best not to use it in the kitchen.

Kitchen design history and culture

History of European Kitchen Culture

In Europe, beginning in the first half of the 13th century, due to the emergence of Gothic architectural style, a styled whole carved out by several parts was recognized by all levels of society. The kitchen decoration that had been ignored for a long time began to have Inspiration and thought.

In the Baroque period after the fourteenth century, the attention to detail was admired by the royal family and aristocracy, and soon affected the whole

Kitchen design

All residents of continental Europe. Gold-plated handles, elegant combinations, and luxurious decorations seem to be part of the kitchen. The influence of the Baroque style on the kitchen makes the kitchen visually convey a sense of extreme luxury and nobility, becoming a symbol of power, status, and wealth.

The artistic influence of the Italian Renaissance greatly promoted the popular trend of kitchen life. European countries are decorated with various colors on traditional furniture and decorated with various special jewelry. The combination of tradition and fashion makes furniture products more individual. Due to the strong artistic atmosphere of this period and the ancient and complicated historical legends of Europe, the cabinet and kitchen life are also full of strange and dreamy colors. The designers cleverly combined art and cabinetry, which established the style of European kitchen life-noble and elegant art, just like Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa". Until today, this gorgeous style of medieval Europe is reflected in furniture, and its noble atmosphere is still appreciated by modern people. It was a century-old art, and of course it will always have its supporters.

From the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 to the outbreak of World War I in 1911, Europe has had peace for nearly 40 years, and the people lived in romance and fantasy. At that time, the designs were more or less nostalgic, such as The arts and crafts movement, the art nouveau movement, they tried to prevent the emergence of industrialization.

In World War I, people's fear and anxiety replaced the long-cherished vision of the future, forming a special point of view: if the machinery is out of control, it will kill humanity itself. This is the first time that human beings have judged the negative consequences of large-scale industrialization. At that time, Europe was in a very unstable situation, and social democratic thought began to gradually move into the minds of a group of sober kitchen designers. They worked hard to improve the society from kitchen design and put forward the view that "kitchen design is for the public" In the end, these people became the core of modern kitchen design. Germany's kitchen design position is influenced by social engineering and social work positions, and it emphasizes how kitchen design can create better conditions for the German nation. Berthaus (Bauhaus) 's first principal and well-known architect Walter. WalterGropius once said: "My design is to allow every family of German citizens to enjoy 6 hours of sunshine." It can be seen that they are doing "social work

Kitchen design

"Engineering activities", that is, engineering reform of society. The modern design form of "Lessismore" is not the result of considering the form, but the result of solving the problem and satisfying the basic needs of the public. It produces The reason is the idea of social democracy, the purpose is to create cheap products that can be mass-produced.

After the Second World War, Italy's indelible art and culture have recovered, and the field of kitchen design has begun to reiterate the "source of art" and emphasize the "combination of art and science". It is the first time to try a modern style kitchen design. At the same time, Germany began to gradually express the ideal functionalism better

Because German cabinet manufacturers focus on industrial production, German design is calm, highly rational, and even impersonal, so that sometimes there is a lack of consideration of the psychological relationship between design and people. Italian modern kitchen design pays much attention to this relationship, and its rich historical and cultural heritage is the determining factor. In addition, Italians like to eat and eat, and spend more time in the kitchen, which makes the relationship between the kitchen and the kitchen extremely close. This requires that the kitchen design must pay attention to people's psychological feelings. The Italians regard design as a culture, not just as a tool for making money, so small batches and high taste have become the advantages of Italian kitchen design.

Generally speaking, Europeans consider design as an integral part of their lives, Americans use it as a tool to make money, and Japanese consider design as a means of national survival ... Based on their different pursuits, the European cabinet industry and even the furniture industry It is the most mature and beautiful development, especially Italy and Germany.

Pushed back to the 1980s, kitchen design is facing a new situation. European kitchen designers have begun to explore: whether you should pay attention to the relationship between the design object and other products when designing, you must go beyond the design scope of the design object

Kitchen design

Come and think about it. For example, when designing a cup, it is not simply based on whether it is ergonomic or beautifully shaped, but it must be considered on which occasion it is used, and the cup must be adapted to the surrounding environment. As the scope of design considered by designers is increasing, there is a problem of blurring at the edge of classification by variety, and various disciplines have also become compatible with each other, that is, the intersection of disciplines. Under the collision of thought and art, and the fusion of life and rationality, the European cabinet industry has proposed the concept of "creating a personalized kitchen" for the first time in the world!

At the same time, another powerful shock came from the computer. In the 1980s, the popularity of personal computers had an unimaginable impact on kitchen design. Originally, the renderings were painted with brushes or other special techniques. In the 20th century, only a computer with good hardware configuration and excellent drawing software could be used to reduce the time spent on drawing by more than half, and the drawings were beautiful and accurate. . This is a revolutionary impact on design and its education system.

Under the influence of two major shocks, European cabinet manufacturers began to develop professional kitchen design software suitable for themselves. Speed, efficiency, system, justice, science ... This type of professional software is popular in Europe because of its insurmountability.

In today's era, with the continuous deepening of global cross-regional cultural exchanges, the concept of kitchen life has changed significantly. Specific manifestations: a strong atmosphere of the times and personalized styles are being advocated, the science and rationality of kitchen life are gradually strengthened, the traditional kitchen style and the fashion style are deeply integrated. Due to the large expansion of home space, the open kitchen is no longer the exclusive land of the housewife, but the place where the whole family lives. The concept of people's kitchen has also changed from basic cooking functions to multifunctional, entertaining, and comfortable methods.

Kitchen design

Toward development.

The change in the concept of the kitchen means a change in people's quality of life and lifestyle. In Europe, the concept of the kitchen removes traditional dietary functions, and most of them already have many functions such as entertainment, leisure, family emotional communication, and friends gathering. "LivinginKitchen" has long become a lifestyle that penetrates the bone marrow and is a necessity. AR-DUE, Italy's top cabinet, is such a representative. She is committed to liberating people from the work of the kitchen, and making the kitchen a truly enjoyable place for body and mind.