Your kitchen and bathroom will be the busiest rooms in the house, so how can you ensure they’re up to the challenge? Jo Caruana chats to interior designer Henry Borg Barthet to find out.
When it comes to planning your home, getting the details right is important: the soft furnishings in the living room, the colour palette in the playroom and the mattress in the bedroom. But while details are great, nothing matters more than the careful planning of the spaces that really need to function – primarily your kitchen and bathroom.
I really believe that having enough storage space is a true cornerstone of a great kitchen
In the kitchen
Nicknamed ‘the heart of the home’ for a reason, a lot of love goes into planning the perfect kitchen. But long before you can think about colour schemes and décor choices, you need to get your groundwork done right.
“In my line of work I see so many kitchens that haven’t been planned effectively,” says interior designer and project manager Henry Borg Barthet. “You really need to think about your lifestyle before rushing into something. Do you entertain a lot? Are you fond of cooking? Do you make your own pasta or bread? Do you eat out most of the time? Are you happy with just a microwave, fridge and sink, or do you spend endless hours enjoying the art of food preparation? Do you have a large family that also requires space to relax in and dine together? Or will you just be popping in and out to burn toast? Assess your needs and go from there.”
Additionally, Borg Barthet details the importance of keeping the ‘work triangle’ in mind and designing around it. This term basically refers to the three main activity areas of any kitchen – food storage, preparation and cooking. Lines here mustn’t crisscross as it can make the space messy, but similarly, they can’t be too far off, as that can turn cooking into a marathon.
“One of the best kitchens I ever cooked in was at a rental farmhouse in Gozo,” Borg Barthet continues. “It was circular, which meant you simply had to turn around to get things done. That said, the style wouldn’t have suited a really avid cook as it wasn’t big enough to fit all the appliances, pots, pans and utensils that go with it. I really believe that having enough storage space is a true cornerstone of a great kitchen; without it, your counters and cupboards become just another piece of furniture.”
Finally, once you have the basic layout considerations sorted, you can move on to the more fun aspects: picking the right counter tops, colour scheme, decorative items and appliances. Just be sure to keep practicality in mind every step of the way, as your kitchen is the room that will need to work hard for you every single day for many years to come.
In the bathroom
Your bathroom is absolutely essential. From spending a penny to washing off the dirt of the day, you couldn’t possibly live comfortably without a practical bathroom to escape to. Careful planning can help you to get it just right, making it both appealing and attractive to all those living in the house.
Start by considering the space you have to work with. For instance, do you have room for a bath? “Whenever possible, try to fit at least one tub into your home,” says Borg Barthet. “Aside from being practical and nice, it also adds value to your property. Of course, if a bath simply isn’t an option, then opt for the largest possible shower. It is guaranteed to be a very worthy addition.”
Additionally, at planning stage, think of what else your space and logistics will allow. Do you have room for both a shower and bath? Can you fit in a double sink? Will the room also house your washing machine or tumble dryer? Do you need to incorporate plenty of storage? Will you need bright or ambience lighting?
When you have answers to your questions, plot the outline of the results on graph paper, remembering to include all windows, doors and connections. If you’re unsure, it is best to get an interior designer to help you maximise the area.
Once you know what is going where, think about the right flooring for you. Porcelain, ceramic, marble, granite and slate tiles are all durable choices, while special waterproof parquet adds an extra touch of style. Opt for a darker colour if you want the space to feel intimate, and a lighter one if you hope to make it appear larger.
As for the fixtures themselves, keep things simple. The more complicated you go (by picking a pea-green toilet, for instance), the harder you will make things in the long run – both because the item will date quickly, and prove hard to replace.
Finally, design for convenience. Keep towel racks or rails in easy reach of the bath or shower, the toilet roll holder in front of the toilet, and plan mirrors with plenty of lighting. Also think of long-term solutions vis-à-vis cleaning and maintenance, as the items in here will definitely be some of the busiest in your whole house.