Disclaimer

As an interior designer, I’ve created kitchens in every project and always keep in mind countless aspects and nuances. Some of them you probably know, some are very subtle, and some I learned only through experience. I’ve put together this checklist to help you structure all this information—whether you’re designing with a professional, doing it yourself, or working with a kitchen company. The better input information you have, the better results you’ll get.

If you have any suggestions or questions, feel free to contact me via email at andrey_interior_design@gmail.com
or on Instagram @andrey_the_designer.

Fridge

Built-in

• looks as a part of a kitchen

• precise size 60x60cm (23.6x23.6’’)

• cabinet height is 200cm (78.7’’)

• can place 2 next to each other for extra space

• a lot of various models

Standalone

• can fit more groceries

• larger than built-in

• larger depth (can place in line with kitchen cabinets

• size depends on the model

• needs gaps on both sides and above for ventillation

Countertop

Laminated

• particle board base

• 4cm (1.5’’) thick

• covered with plastic

• cheap

• less resist than stone

Acrylic stone

• can be thinner than laminated - up to 2cm (0.8’’)

• medium price

• sink might be settled underneath

• seamless

• small textures

Quartz stone / Dekton

• can be thinner than acryllic stone - up to 1.2cm (0.47’’)

• Most resilient (water, fire proof)

• Various textures

• Seamless (within a slab of 300x140cm (118x55’’))

• most expensive

Sink

Standard

• can be installed in any countertop

• installed on top of a counter

Under a countertop

• can be installed with acrylic or quartz counterop

• installed under a counterop

• easy to clean worktop

Cooktop

Standard electric/gas

• cheap

• easy to maintain

• be aware of a hot surface

• not convenient in cleaning

Induction

• heat cookware, not surface

• easy to clean

• needs a bit of space underneath a countertop

• not the cheapest but affordable

With integrated ventillation

• can place on a kitchen island

• don’t need to add a hood above

• expensive

• very efficient ventilation

• air goes through a coal filter

Face materials

Particle board

• cheapest

• limited variations of colors and textures

• laminated

• can’t be with any insets, only flat

MDF

• more expensive

• more resilient to water

• can be painted (any color), laminated, covered with wood or stone veneer

• last longer

Door opening

Handles

• very easy to install

• a lot of options

• cheap (except custom ones)

Integrated

• only with MDF

• can be made in one style for all doors + fridge

• doors go in line with the kitchen

Gola profile

• with any doors

• opening by pulling the door

• can add a LED light below a countertop

• can be horizontal and vertical (for fridge or any tall cabinet)

Push-to-open

• very useful for tall cabinets with oven and MW

• good for upper cabinets

• very expensive for dishwasher and fridge cabinets

• don’t last for long

Offset opening for upper cabinets (2cm (0.78’’) lower)

• height of the door is 2cm (0.78’’) longer that the cabinet height

• opening by pulling the door

• very easy to install

• cover a built-in hood and LED light

Backsplash

Ceramic tiles

• cheapest

• small tiles

• fragile

• easy to maintain

Porcelain tiles

• affordable

• robust

• bigger sizes

• easy to maintain

Quartz stone / Dekton

• can be the same as a countertop

• seamless up to 310cm (122’’)

• robust, resilient

• expensive

LED light wall

• LED light behind translucent material (glass, stone)

• not easy to install

• need to place sockets anywhere else (bottom of upper cabinets for example)

• stunning look

Hood

Standalone

• efficient

• placed separately from upper cabinets

Built in an upper cabinet

• affordable

• efficient

• hidden

• can use upper cabinets space (particularly)

Inside a cooktop

• one cooktop is cheaper than a cooktop + a hood

• hood is closer to a cookware

• efficient

Built in a countertop

• much more expensive

• needs additional space

• hidden

Ergonomics

Order

• consider the order: fridge → sink → cooking space → cooktop

• place a sink closer to the main drain (place dishwasher right after the sink)

• place a socket, drain and water pipes for a dishwasher in the cabinet with sink (not behind the dishwasher)

• don’t place a dishwasher right next to the corner (L-shape kitchen)

Distances

• min 120cm (47.2’’) between kitchen cabinets and a dinner table or a kitchen island

• min 60cm (23.6’’) between a sink and a cooktop

• 60cm (23.6’’) between a countertop and upper cabinets

• min 1cm (0.4’’) between the top of upper cabinets (to hang the cabinets)

Recommendations

• use particular board for inside elements of kitchen cabinets and MDF for facing elements - it’s much cheaper than making all the kitchen from MDF

• use kitchen taps with a flex hose - it makes sink rinsing convenient

• if you want to have a garbage disposal or water filters, keep in mind that it needs additional space under the sink