How A Multi-functional Kitchen Will Change Your Home For The Better

After 4 months of lockdown in the UK, the majority of us have spent more time than ever at home, looking at our surroundings and where we live in more detail, and with a fresh set of eyes planning ways in which to change things, improve spaces, and adapt our rooms to be more multi-functional. We have put together a few reasons as to how a multi-functional kitchen will change your home for the better...

A multi-functional kitchen can come in all shapes and sizes, and how functional it really is will depend on your needs and requirements as both a homeowner and a family, so to ensure your kitchen is as multi-functional as it can be for you and those you live with, work with a kitchen designer who will create a design around you and your lifestyle.


Burlanes Wellsdown Kitchen In Maidstone, Kent. ©Sarah London Photographer.

Consider Open-plan Living

Open-plan kitchens and living spaces are not a new thing, but dining at home and entertaining guests from the comfort of your own kitchen is certainly on the increase;  particularly with the uncertainty of the UK at the moment, and the social distancing regulations in place.


Burlanes Hoyden Kitchen in Saffron Walden. ©Sarah London Photographer.

If you find yourself struggling for space, particularly if you have separate, smaller rooms for your kitchen, dining room and living rooms, considering removing walls, or building an extension, to open up the floorplan of your main living spaces in your home.


Burlanes Hoyden Kitchen in Greenwich, London.©Sarah London Photographer.

Maximise Storage Solutions

Although the bulk buying may have died down (toilet paper and pasta are no longer considered as gold dust!!), a well stocked pantry and dry goods larder has never been more desirable, particularly as popping to the supermarket is no longer an easy feat!


Burlanes Hoyden Kitchen in Saffron Walden. ©Sarah London Photographer.

Having a well stocked larder with everything you need to hand is fantastic when entertaining or cooking in-front of guests too; you are less likely to be rifling through cupboards and drawers for those last minute spices or bottles of sauce, and ingredients can be tucked neatly away until the very minute you need them.

Burlanes Wellsdown Kitchen in Hythe. ©Sarah London Photographer.

A larder does not have to be just for food and dry goods either... the grown ups' larder has very much hit the ground running in kitchen design!


Burlanes Decolane Kitchen in Upminster. ©Sarah London Photographer.

What more could you want than your very own home bar, tucked neatly behind two beautiful, handmade larder doors. It is like the new Narnia in kitchen design!!


Burlanes Wellsdown Kitchen in Maidstone, Kent. ©Sarah London Photographer

Include Space For Hosting

Staying in is the new going out (in 2020 anyway!!), and with things set to stay this way for the foreseeable future, now is the time to ensure your kitchen is as multi-functional as ever, and that includes having space to host. Whether it is your child's birthday party, an afternoon tea party for family, or an evening of dinner and wine with your friends, there are lots of things to consider to ensure your kitchen is cut out for the job.

From ensuring your appliances are up to the job of catering for many (and being used more frequently too), to ensuring the layout allows you to move quickly and freely around your working triangle whilst guests are in the room, and allowing for seating areas and space to serve food and drinks regularly too.


Burlanes Wellsdown Kitchen In Leigh-On-Sea, Essex. ©Sarah London Photographer.

Think breakfast bars, large kitchen islands with seating, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry for maximum storage and second prep sinks for drinks and ice.


Burlanes Decolane Kitchen in Sevenoaks. ©Sarah London Photographer.

A Place To Work

The majority of the UK has found themselves having to work from home this year, and with very little warning too, meaning lots of makeshift home office spaces have been created. With such a huge shift in the way many UK companies will operate their working schedules moving forward, a multi-functional kitchen with a workspace has never been so appealing, and with such uncertain times ahead, a very sensible design consideration.

Easy To Clean

'A kitchen that is easy to clean' has always been top of the list of many of our clients' design requirements, but now more than ever, this is an essential factor to consider throughout your home. 

If space allows, a dedicated utility room or area within your kitchen will help keep your main surfaces clear, especially when hosting, and a second dishwasher will allow the clean unto be much quicker and easier too.


Burlanes Wellsdown Kitchen in Leigh-On-Sea. ©Sarah London Photographer.

A second sink or dedicated handwashing area will allow guests to regularly wash their hands whilst in your home, and with fresh air and proper air flow being so important, consider bi-fold doors, skylights that open, or even inner court yards to allow for a good air flow throughout.


Burlanes Hoyden Kitchen in Crystal Palace, London. ©Sarah London Photographer.

We hope this has given you an insight into how a multi-functional kitchen will change your home for the better, and please do get in touch if we can help with absolutely anything at all. We are incredibly proud of the unrivalled design service that we offer here at Burlanes, and our kitchen designers will work alongside you every step of your journey.

Both Burlanes Sevenoaks and Burlanes Chelmsford are open for design appointments and browsing, but we ask that you kindly call ahead to let us know you will be visiting, so we can ensure our premises remain COVID secure, safe and clean environments at all times.