1) Use different, but complementary, materials and finishes to visually divide a room into separate areas for cooking, dining and living.

2) Choose a colourscheme that you are happy to live with at any time of the day. While bold and bright colours can help create a wow factor, the setting may also need to have a comfortable ambience for the tasks of working or relaxing.

3) Low-level base units can be used to ‘zone’ areas, while keeping the open plan feeling. As well as a home for general kitchen storage, these can also be used for toy storage in a children’s play area, or for office desk space.

4) Consider the lighting used – products such as backlit wall panels help to create a relaxing ambience at the end of the day, when work in the kitchen is done. Under-shelf lighting can also be used to create just enough light for dining and relaxing.

5) Practicalities such as flooring type should be considered. A non-slip surface will be essential if the area is to double up as a children’s play area, but it needs to be easy to wipe clean in case of spillages. It should also be warm underfoot to provide comfort.

028 7965 1650 | www.kitchenstori.com

Posted By: Eamon Donnelly, managing director, Kitchen Stori