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5 Golden Rules for Designing a Kitchen that Inspires Daily Well-being
Our designers and kitchen design experts offer 5 essential tips for transforming your kitchen into a true sanctuary.
The New Year is like an hourglass turning over. Beyond the resolutions that often fade as the days go by, there’s something profoundly reassuring about the idea of a fresh new page. It offers a moment to reflect on the new lines we wish to draw, shaping a path that helps us navigate time more intentionally. Yet, the first canvas we should focus on is our immediate environment since it shapes our thoughts, our daily lives and our well-being, profoundly influencing the way we evolve in the world.
Every day, our brains process the places and objects around which we gravitate to construct our experiences. They shape what we see and, by extension, what we feel. Rethinking our living spaces enables us to redefine our daily lives. It’s not a question of reducing our possessions to a minimum, but of shaping an environment where every object has a real purpose and finds its place.
The kitchen is the heart of the home, a place where we spend a lot of time, where bonds are forged, and moments are shared. Optimizing this space to create a soothing, welcoming and functional interior contributes directly to your quality of life, promoting well-being, serenity and better organization. Here are five essential rules to follow when designing a kitchen that will set the tone for your foggy mornings, your spaghetti-sauce afternoons, and your unwinding evenings.
1. Optimize the kitchen work triangle for better fluidity and ergonomics
The kitchen work triangle, which links the sink, the stove and the refrigerator, must above all offer fluid, intuitive access, so that each of your gestures flows naturally and efficiently. According to a study in the Research Gate International Journal of Design, the ideal distance between these three spaces should not exceed 7 metres, a particularly important point for people with limited mobility. A well-thought-out design also ensures that raw and cooked food preparation areas don’t cross paths, reducing the risk of contamination. In addition to making your space more functional, a well-thought-out layout helps create a more hygienic environment, but above all, one that is pleasant to gravitate around daily.
2. Choose natural materials and let nature in
The choice of materials plays a major role in the overall ambience of the kitchen. By favouring natural textures, you’ll also strengthen your connection with nature. Examples include marble, wood, quartz or any other textured, organic material that naturally age and evolve over time, helping to create a sense of place. Besides often being eco-friendly, natural and sustainable materials contribute to physical and mental well-being by adding depth to the room while reducing exposure to certain chemicals, provided they are sourced sustainably and opt for eco-friendly finishes. Handmade objects or those made from natural fibers, plants and herbs add life and warmth that soothes the soul.
3. Rethink lighting and play with light
Lighting plays a key role in kitchen ergonomics, combining aesthetics and functionality to enhance visibility and create a calming atmosphere. We recommend aiming for colour temperatures around 3000K to 4000K, which are bright enough to ensure good contrast yet soft enough not to induce eye fatigue. Well-thought-out lighting, especially above worktops, ensures greater safety when you’re cooking, while creating a pleasant atmosphere that promotes well-being. Playing with natural light creates movement, balance and connection with the outside world. Light and clarity, in addition to providing a sense of lightness in the space, help boost your energy, improve your mood and reduce headaches.
4. Reduce noise to make the big and small moments more enjoyable
An excessively noisy kitchen can become a daily stress factor. To create a soothing atmosphere, it’s essential to limit noise pollution. Consider opting for a quiet extractor hood (below 50 dB at normal speed) or for quieter kitchen appliances, which greatly contribute to creating a quieter environment. Perform regular maintenance to prevent noise caused by mechanical problems (blocked filter, clogged motor, etc.). To further enhance well-being, prioritize a design that considers acoustics, creating a space where preparing a béchamel sauce or enjoying a quiet Sunday morning routine can take place in peace.
5. Design to suit your needs and desires
Customization is essential to create a kitchen that truly reflects you. A bespoke design allows you to shape the space to meet your specific needs, with your habits, tastes and practical constraints in mind. Whether it’s optimized storage, perfectly adapted work surfaces or aesthetic choices that comfort you, a made-to-measure kitchen not only offers fluid, functional use, but also represents a place where every moment feels like you.
Creating a made-to-measure space is first and foremost about designing a space that meets your needs and reflects who you are. It’s about simplifying your environment by optimizing it. By following these five simple golden rules, you’ll transform your kitchen into a place where people enjoy spending time, whether cooking, sharing a Sunday lunch or just chatting at the counter.
If you’d like to take things a step further, Ateliers Jacob is here to help. Our kitchen designers will work with you to create a custom kitchen that combines coziness, functionality and a sense of well-being. Contact us to discuss your project.
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