4 features every amazing kitchen should have

The kitchen is the heart of the home, it’s where friends and family gather, tucking into delicious food and enjoying each other’s company.  Needless to say, a lot of time will be spent in the room so it’s essential you get the design and features just right.

Whether it’s a big kitchen, small kitchen or anything in between, there are 4 features that can ensure any kitchen isn’t just a place to cook and eat, but a safe haven for adults and children alike to enjoy each other’s company and make memories you’ll never forget.

We’re going to take you on a journey through the ideal kitchen so that you can make sure you have the best space possible, whether you’re having a kitchen fitted in a new home or you’re looking to renovate.

1. A stylish stone worktop

Worktops are always at the centre of the action when it comes to the kitchen itself.

It’s the part of the kitchen that sees the most action, whether it’s preparing lazy Sunday morning breakfasts, calamity filled recipes that you complete with your children or whether they’re used as an ad-hoc workspace when you’re working from home and fancy a bite to eat.

The kitchen worktop is the undisputed king of the kitchen and as a result, it’s essential you get this aspect of your kitchen right.

As we are exclusive stockists of GT Quartz by Quartzrite in the North West of England, in addition to other leading natural stone suppliers, our customers have access to some of the finest stone available in the world marble, granite, quartzite and porcelain. This enables our team to work with you to find the stylish stone kitchen worktop that will work best in your kitchen design.

Granite kitchen worktop

When it comes to stylish kitchen worktops there aren’t many materials that tread the fine line between luxurious and practical with as much swagger as natural stone.

Granite worktops, in particular, are highly-regarded among people across the world, and for good reason.

The veining and colouring are often unique to each piece of granite, giving a sense of exclusivity and luxury for those who own a granite kitchen worktop and it has the added bonus of never going out of fashion.

Likewise, granite kitchen worktops are widely regarded as one of the best worktops that utilise natural materials.

Granite is hard and highly resistant to both heat and scratches. It’s also stain-resistant in most cases, making it perfect if you’re prone to a kitchen mishap.

It’s a type of kitchen worktop we highly recommend to our customers.

The most important consideration you need to make is how you intend on using your space, this will help you make the most informed decision as to which material is right for your kitchen worktop.

If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry, our team have vast experience in this area and will be happy to help.

Quartz kitchen worktops

If granite isn’t your style, then a quartz kitchen worktop is another great option if you’re looking to add natural stone worktops to your kitchen design.

Quartz is incredibly hard, durable and unlike granite, quartz kitchen worktops don’t require sealing before their initial use.

It’s also a great alternative to granite as it is also remarkably resistant to stains, scratches and cracks thanks to its non-porous nature.

A well-maintained quartz kitchen worktop has the potential to last a lifetime, not only because they are perpetually in fashion and never fail to impress, but they are also incredibly versatile and practical for a kitchen of any size.

2. Reliable appliances

So you’ve picked out your natural stone worktop with our team, but what’s next?

Every amazing kitchen has reliable appliances that look great but also cope with the strains that are put on them during day to day life.

Again, as with the type of kitchen worktop you choose, the appliances you select need to suit the way you’ll be using your kitchen on a regular basis, but one feature that every appliance should share is that they are energy-efficient.

Each appliance will usually be equipped with an energy rating label, so make sure you study this before making your purchase.

When you’re debating where to allocate your budget when you’re deciding which appliances to include in your kitchen, make sure you consider which ones will be used most frequently.

For example, you may want to think about allocating more budget to spend on your fridge, oven and hob rather than forking out for a food processor you might only use a handful of times a year.

3. A floor that lasts

If there is one part of the kitchen that will see just as much traffic if not more than your natural stone kitchen worktops, it’s the floor.

Whilst the cost and initial look of vinyl or linoleum may be appealing, they don’t always stand up well to excessive use.

Make sure you choose something hard-wearing.

Natural stone, tiles, concrete, ceramic and even wood can be good options, just be aware of the benefits and pitfalls of each material before you decide on your perfect kitchen floor, it can be expensive to replace once it’s been laid.

The material you choose will also likely be determined by the type of finish you want to compliment the rest of your kitchen.

So make sure you have committed to a final design before adding which flooring will complement the rest of the kitchen.

4. Lighting

Last but by no means least, it’s lighting.

If there’s one thing we know from our years’ of experience in providing outstanding stone kitchen worktops, it’s that lighting that can transform a kitchen from a humble workspace and entertaining area into a work of modern art.

Lighting plays a key role in providing a polished aesthetic and has the power to make or break the ambience of an amazing kitchen.

Make sure you plan where you put your lighting carefully and prioritise the functional areas, such as your cooking and food prep areas in addition to the sink and other spots you’re likely to spend time carrying out kitchen tasks.

Couple the right lighting with high-quality natural stone kitchen worktops, a beautiful hard-wearing floor as well as the reliable appliances that will make life in the kitchen that much easier and you’ll have yourself an amazing space you’ll probably never want to leave.

So there we have it, 4 essential aspects every amazing kitchen gets right.

Of course, there are many more details that you can add to embellish the kitchen space, including cookware, utensils, storage areas and storage space, but if you ensure these 4 features are covered you will have a solid foundation from which to branch out and really make your kitchen your own.