Need a new kitchen or planning to install a new kitchen
Whether you are building from scratch or refurbishing your kitchen in Portugal it’s important to get the basics correct from the start. Assuming that you are not buying a flat pack kitchen from IKEA and you have some design flexibility in how you utilize the available space.
You can achieve stunning results without breaking the bank. Don’t assume that having a kitchen made to measure is too expensive for your budget you will be surprised at what you can get for your Euros.
The range of materials and styles is fantastic and the prices very reasonable. You can probably have the kitchen of your dreams for 60% of what you would have paid in the UK.
First of all its YOUR kitchen so do not leave it all up to a kitchen designer or you will overtime come to dislike the compromises that you made in fitting in with the “experts design” and missing the features that you really wanted.
Back to basics, before looking at doors drawers or worktops.
Stand in your kitchen space and move around it. Walk from your imaginary sink, cooker and preparation area. It is these main functions that dictate the layout. Can you see out of a window from any of these areas ?
What will the through flow of people be like and in which direction?
Sketching the kitchen on the floor in chalk may also help. You are trying to get a feel for the logical positions of things. Kitchen sink under a window for instance so you can appreciate the view while washing up or preparing vegetables. The cook top or hob needs to be near an external wall so that the exhaust tube for the extractor can be nice and short.
Once you have the basic positions worked out the rest will go in between these. Drawers and doors can be made to any size so they will fit. The standard size 60cm wide items such as dish washers, washing machines, fridges, ovens and microwave ovens need to be positioned next. It is a good idea to locate those items which require a water supply and drainage to be located fairly close together for ease of installation.
However your favorite kitchen layout is more important than the work involved in moving some drainage and water supply pipes so don’t compromise. Attention to drainage is important of course if you want to avoid bad smells in the kitchen.
The rule of thumb is – If you have lots of bends in the kitchen drains make them larger diameter and make them a little more inclined (fall) so that they keep clear.
A drainage inspection trap positioned in the kitchen floor is also advised. Lighting is often left until last and is the first thing to be jettisoned when the costs are added up. If the kitchen companies lights are too expensive do without go to a large out of town store such as Izi and buy them much cheaper.Please make sure that they are earthed or 12 volt for safety.
A brief introduction, Castelo Construction Lda. We carry our all types of construction work to a high standard, we project manage and help source items that you may require to be added you your new home. Most of our new build or refurbishment clients are living outside Portugal when the work is being done.
We understand a client’s need for regular and clear communication. We send frequent reports with photographs detailing work done, suggestions and questions. We can be contacted on www.casteloconstruction.com or 00351 927168247
