The Challenges of Designing a New Modern Kitchen for a Period Property

Designing a modern kitchen that perfectly fulfils a client’s every wish can be a challenge in itself. However, when designing a new kitchen for a period property, there are often additional conditions that must be taken into account.

In this article, we explore some of the key points that should form part of the kitchen design planning process. Without thinking about, and finding answers to these questions, the success of a project may be compromised.

- Does the property have listed building status?

- Have you considered the interior architecture of the property?

- How do you create a modern kitchen design whilst remaining sympathetic to the character of the property?

- When should the kitchen be considered in the planning process?

Does the property have LISTED BUILDING STATUS?

Achieving a modern open plan kitchen, dining, living arrangement in a period property, especially one with listed building status, can pose numerous challenges. Adaptations to walls, ceilings, and floors may be restricted depending on the grading. A solution can usually be found that works for everyone with some clever design, the right appliances, and highly skilled installers.

We would recommend consulting the land registry if you are unsure about your property.

Have you considered the interior architecture of the property?

High Ceilings - Modern downdraft extraction has made removing unwanted cooking odours from rooms with high ceilings much more effective. Recirculating appliances, such as a BORA induction cooktop, can eliminate the need for external ducting whilst overcoming specific Listed building requirements.

Angled Walls – The original design and construction, or later movement of the foundations, could mean not every wall is perfectly straight or set at 90 degrees. For example, the arrangement of homes in Bath's beautiful Crescents or Circus may create interior spaces that require a considered approach to furniture alignment. Hobson's Choice designers will accurately check wall angles during a full survey to ensure the kitchen design isn't compromised.

Alcoves and Recesses - Georgian properties, in particular, sometimes feature alcoves or recesses, presenting exciting design opportunities for a kitchen. In a recent renovation project, a disused chimney space was transformed into a hidden larder accessible from the kitchen. It is also possible to use alcoves to reduce the visual depth of kitchen storage units by building the furniture into the wall space.

Historic Decorative Features

At Hobson's Choice, we believe the bulthaup kitchen should complement the interior architecture. Highlighting the craftsmanship of ornate ceiling decoration and detailed ironwork can be achieved through considered planning and material choice.

For example, a kitchen cabinet door's vertically aligned wood grain can lead the eye towards the artistic ceiling cornice. Whilst a flawless stainless steel worktop can accompany an intricate iron fireplace surround, each piece demonstrates artistry and manufacturing skill.

How do you create a MODERN kitchen design, but remain sympathetic to the character of the house?

Our designers may suggest a softer colour palette and material choices in a property with decorative period features, such as textured timbers and matt finishes, to create a sensitive and subtle kitchen. A space that doesn't try to compete for attention.

Instead, the kitchen sits comfortably in its characterful surroundings, contrasting the visible interior architecture with clean lines and flawless surfaces. A hand-finished bulthaup kitchen by Hobson's Choice, like the Georgian architecture, is full of design details to appreciate. Thin and lightweight furniture panels, the finest materials, seamless furniture edging, and a build strength that will last over 20 years.

When should the kitchen be considered in the planning process?

From our experience, we, Hobson's Choice, would suggest thinking about the kitchen very early on in the restoration planning process.

Listed Building - Does the listed building status prevent changes to the room's structure? Can the walls, floor or ceiling even be touched? Challenges like this are surmountable but can come as a shock if not thought about early on. For example, a solution might be to position kitchen furniture away from the walls, resulting in a room that will require a fresh coat of plaster and paint before the kitchen build commences.

The Kitchen Infrastructure – electrics, plumbing, extraction, broadband.

Modern appliances can have high power demands and need appropriate wiring. If you are moving water and waste services to accommodate a new kitchen layout, pipework will need to be installed.

Finally, extraction ducting will need to be channelled into a ceiling or under the floor. It would be a horrible situation to dig up a freshly laid floor or make a mark on a newly plastered ceiling or wall!

The kitchen is now a popular place to watch TV, listen to streaming music, and work from home. Will the thick walls of the period property allow a strong enough wifi signal to pass through, or do you need to route an ethernet cable into the room? What's the point of having a wireless video doorbell if you can't receive a signal at the back of the house to tell you your friends have arrived?

SPEAK TO A PROFESSIONAL

Only considering the aesthetics and finishes of the kitchen early in the planning process might have a very costly and stressful effect on the latter part of your renovation.

If you get to grips with the kitchen project early on, its design parameters and related challenges, you will be much better placed to efficiently organise the build and renovation as a whole. All of the necessary trade first fixes can be coordinated and completed well before the kitchen furniture arrives on site by preparing the space correctly.

We always recommend talking to a professional kitchen designer who has experience in period property renovation – they may save you a great deal of time, money and stress.