How to Use Software to Design Your Kitchen in 2020

The new year is a time of resolutions. You will go on a diet, learn a language, find your dream job, or finally do some of the home improvements you’ve been putting off for so long.

Planning to design your kitchen used to be an onerous task. First, you would have to find an interior designer and architect to produce the designs and plans, taking a sizeable chunk out of your budget.

We spend so much time in our kitchens, it’s important we get it right. They are often the heart of a home, much more than just a space to prepare meals.

Designing a kitchen that suits our needs and reflects our sense of style is far easier now thanks to the range of kitchen planning software available on the market.

Here are some things you need to consider when designing your kitchen.

Get Some Inspiration

You may know exactly what you want your kitchen to look like. Or you might need a little inspiration. Luckily, a quick Google search or visit to Pinterest and you have thousands of ideas at your fingertips to get those creative juices flowing.

Create a Floorplan

An accurate floorplan is essential. Get the measurements wrong and your whole design will be inaccurate.  Make sure you mark all doors, windows, vents, and plumbing inlets/outlets.

It’s worth getting yourself a laser measurer. You can pick them up for a good price and could potentially save you thousands of dollars.

Flow with It

When designing a kitchen you need to think about how you will use it on a day-to-day basis. Simple things like storing pans near the cooker or crockery near the dishwasher.

You’ll thank yourself every time you can unload the dishwasher directly into the cupboards, saving you plenty of steps every time.

Walkways

Depending on how big the space is you have to work with, make sure that paths through the kitchen are 36 inches wide at a minimum. This should be increased to 42 inches if it is a zone for cooking in.

By doing this you will be creating a safer environment and won’t be constantly getting under each other’s feet if more than one person is in the kitchen.

Keep it Kid-Friendly

If you have a young family, or kids in your kitchen often, this can cause a number of headaches in your design. Make sure you’re creating a kid-friendly kitchen by keeping the cooking area away from the main walkways. Consider lower countertops if they are going to be helping you in the kitchen.

You might want to place the refrigerator in easy reach and place any snacks etc they might want in lower cupboards and drawers.

Don’t Get Cornered

It can be tempting to fill up all the available space with cupboards and appliances.  Make sure that any doors that are near corners can open freely, without banging into another door.

There are now many kitchens ranges with special corner doors that maximize the amount of space you have while still letting you open the doors fully.

Islands

If you’re lucky enough to have space for an island in your kitchen, decide if you’re going to use it for cooking, eating or both. You’ll have to plan accordingly and separate the cooking space from the dining area.

Power Where You Need It

A modern kitchen needs multiple outlets for all your appliances. Ensure you have them installed near countertops and wherever you plan on placing your refrigerator, washer, and dishwasher or anything else that needs power.

Keep it Clean

A little bit of thought in the planning stages can save you a lot of unnecessary cleaning. Glossy surfaces and chrome will show up dirt and fingerprints very easily and will need cleaning often. Matte finishes are more forgiving.

Choosing the Right Kitchen Design Software

Though there’s a lot to think about, deigning your dream kitchen should be fun. The choices are endless and you can create the design and color scheme that suits your personality, lifestyle, and budget.

Choosing a specialist kitchen planner will provide you with a range of tools to design your kitchen in no time.

Interior design programs are popping up all over at the minute. From phone apps to detailed architectural design software. There are both free and paid options to consider.

General Home Design Tools

These tend to be more basic, allowing you to create from a library of features or crowdsourced designs. They are useful when first dipping your toe into kitchen design but do not have the necessary features or detail to produce a working plan.

Kitchen Manufacturer’s Planning Tools 

More and more kitchen manufacturers are now offering free online planning tools on their websites. The Ikea kitchen planner is a very popular one. They have a good level of detail and functionality.

Their biggest downside is that they will only allow you to design your kitchen using their limited range of products.

Specialized Programs to Design Your Kitchen

Planning tools that were only available to interior designers and architects can now be used by anyone to produce detailed kitchen designs.

Kitchen design (along with bathrooms) are the most difficult to get right and the most costly to get wrong. As their design involves specific plumbing and electricity placement, you need to get it right the first time. It’s not just a case of moving furniture around as you would in a bedroom or lounge.

By using a third-party planner, you’re not restricted to a small range of cabinets and appliances. You’ll have a whole catalog of choices open to you.

Now there’s nothing stopping you from designing your perfect kitchen in 2020. Good luck!