1. Integrate your dining and kitchen space
Design director of Akihaus Design Studio, Lawrence Puah, says that practicality should always be the key consideration in kitchen design, particularly in small kitchens. “This means giving priority to creating as much counter space as possible. In doing so, it may mean that a homeowner’s dream of a kitchen island may not be practical. Avoid going for an island which ends up looking like a stump in the middle of the kitchen, and losing counter space for food preparation,” he says.
Design: Akihaus Design Studio
![92001-kitchen-design-functionality-akihaus-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/92001-kitchen-design-functionality-akihaus-1.jpg)
2. Swap the island for a peninsula
Lawrence continues, “An alternative to the island design is to create a peninsula counter, which forms a G, C or L-shape profile, with the freestanding portion designed deeper such that you get storage on one side and leg room at the other. This creates sitting space for a bar counter. It is practical in creating more counter space while part fulfilling the kitchen island dream.”
Amilia Gani, principal designer of Facelift Design, adds, “Keep the island or peninsula counter the same height as the rest of the kitchen counters to make the kitchen look spacious.”
Design: Akihaus Design Studio
![92000-kitchen-design-functionality-akihaus-2](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/92000-kitchen-design-functionality-akihaus-2.jpg)
3. Bling up flat front cabinets
“While Shaker-style kitchens (recessed panel doors) have been all the rage, thanks to the popularity of TV shows like Fixer Upper and Property Brothers, modern flat front cabinetry are always relevant and timeless for practical homeowners who want easy-to-maintain, cost-efficient designs,” says Amilia.
“To give your kitchen a unique personality, opt for a classy solid brass handles or marble knobs to give your space a refined or elevated look.”
Design: Facelift Design
![91998-kitchen-design-functionality-facelift-design-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91998-kitchen-design-functionality-facelift-design-1.jpg)
4. Add warmth and detail with textured wood finishes
“While the minimalist look has been a dominant design trend for the past decade or so, there is definitely a return to an appreciation for details and materiality,” Lawrence notes. “Designers and homeowners alike are more open to the use of materials with strong patterns or prints. There is a greater consideration for wood finishings, where the beauty of its grains is appreciated and integrated into the overall design scheme, as opposed to using clean solid colours.”
Amilia says, “Textures and patterns add ambiance and personality to the space. And compared to flat coloured laminates, textured wood are also favoured for practical reasons such as leaving less visible finger marks, stains and being easy to clean and maintain.”
Design: Facelift Design
![91997-kitchen-design-functionality-facelift-design-2](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91997-kitchen-design-functionality-facelift-design-2.jpg)
5. The marble look is in
Amilia says, “The white marble look is very popular for flooring and wall finishes, be it in natural stone or simulated marble in porcelain tiles and surface tops. Last year, I designerd a Japanese-inspired kitchen with dark umber-toned cabinets and bold marble-like textured porcelain tiles for its backsplash that look like Japanese calligraphy strokes on the wall.”
“Marble is definitely making a comeback,” says Lawrence, “though often in the form of man-made materials such as quartz which is much easier to maintain.” Another low-maintenance yet sleek option is a glass backsplash; it is classy, and can cover a stretch of wall without jointing.
Design: Akihaus Design Studio
![91999-kitchen-design-functionality-akihaus-3](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91999-kitchen-design-functionality-akihaus-3.jpg)
6. Streamline bulky appliances
“The main equipment that affects both a kitchen’s space and design is the refrigerator, due to its large size. Instead of leaving it to stick out in a corner, try to integrate the fridge into the cabinetry so that it appears to be built-in within the cabinets or flushed within a wall,” says Lawrence.
Another way to achieve a more polished and neat space is to have tall appliances like ovens and fridges on one side of the kitchen, and sink, hob and food prep countertop on the other. “A long counter top will always make the kitchen visually spacious,” says Amilia.
Design: Akihaus Design Studio
![91996-kitchen-design-functionality-akihaus-4](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91996-kitchen-design-functionality-akihaus-4.jpg)
7. Know when to use warm and white light
“A well-designed open concept kitchen tends to double as an entertainment space as well. As such, the lighting typically should be designed with a warm white tone. Warm light is not conducive for cooking, though, so incorporate white or day-light in the design as well, so you can cater to both settings. Use white light for the ceiling, and warm white for pendant lamps over the bar counter,” says Lawrence.
No space for pendant lights? Amilia says to use track lights with warm white light bulbs as the main light fixture, and LED strip lights for under cabinet task lighting, which helps to brighten up countertops for food prep.
This story was first published on Singapore Women’s Weekly.
![91995-kitchen-design-functionality-facelift-design-3](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/91995-kitchen-design-functionality-facelift-design-3.jpg)