Start from the top
Expert kitchen designer Darren Genner shares some suggestions for benchtop materials and designs
The appearance and functionality of your kitchen is a result of the many choices made during the design process. The different materials, heights and thicknesses you can select for your benchtop, for example, will have a significant impact on the look and convenience of your kitchen and living spaces.
Kitchen designer Darren Genner of Minosa says the size of the kitchen space, its shape and layout, how the owners plan to use it, and even their own heights should all be considered when you start thinking about the kind of benchtop to have.
"For example, the benchtops in a large kitchen or in a kitchen that's part of a large open-plan living area can seem more in proportion with the rest of the space when they are made of a thicker or chunkier material. On the other hand, a smaller space may look better with a slimmer, more refined material," he says.
"The type of material often dictates the most appropriate thickness for the top, so this should also be considered when making your selection."
It also makes sense to take account of the function of the benchtop in the choice of material. In hot zones, such as close to the hob, heat-resistance is important, or if the top is used as a table or servery, a different material may help define the purpose.
By varying details such as height or materials, the benchtop can help identify the zones in a kitchen. In the apartment on the left, the dining table and kitchen benchtops are fabricated from different materials that meld seamlessly together to ensure the small space doesn't feel cluttered. But having the benchtops at different heights and thicknesses creates several zones in the kitchen.
Benchtop heights, says Minosa designer Simona Castagna, should really be dictated by the height of the homeowner and by the function of the different zones in the kitchen.
"Colour, too, is often suggested by the design. A white kitchen always feels larger and lighter, while a darker kitchen can be moody. It all depends on what you want to achieve for your home," she says.
Story by: Trendsideas
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