When you are renovating your community group kitchen, you might start with a very clear idea of what you want it to look and feel like, you might not know where to start, or there might be a range of competing visions about what the finished article should be.
This is your guide to finding clarity about the form, function, design, and materials that you should consider in order to get the kitchen that you need.
How will you be using the kitchen?
Are you simply updating the kitchen to use it just as you always have, or are you doing the renovation in order to fulfil new plans and bigger ambitions?
There is probably no more important question in this project than ‘what is it for?’ Is the kitchen going to be used by a wide range of people for a variety of cooking and food preparation? Then you will need equipment to cover the diversity of activity. Are there likely to be a lot of people in the kitchen at once? Then your design needs to take into account the flow of people and the space they will need.
A semi-commercial kitchen environment like community group or a church will need a design that can withstand the stress of heavy use. The most durable option is a Zintec polyester powder coated mild steel carcass and a stainless steel worktop. Not only is that the most resistant to wear and tear, but it is also the most hygienic, with wipe-clean surfaces and no need for sealant, which deteriorates and makes areas hard to clean.
You could also opt for a wooden kitchen (Woodplan), but take care in your choice of design. Cheap domestic wooden kitchens are not built to last, especially not in communal kitchens. They also usually involve a ‘screw and glue’ approach to joinery, which easily separates after time and heavy use, meaning frequent repairs and replacement. If wood is your preference, make sure to choose a design with a tongue and groove joint system (such as Woodplan) that is certified for heavy use by the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA). That connection interlocks along the length of the joint, eliminating the weak spots that arise with screws and adhesives.
If you’re not sure which materials to go for, a design professional can offer advice based on the goals for the kitchen. Our team are always happy to lend an ear and offer some suggestions, so please feel free to contact them on [email protected] or 0208 254 0090.
Can your kitchen reflect your group’s personality?
You don’t need to think of your kitchen purely as a functional space. Fun has to be part of the equation too. One of the advantages of a semi-commercial kitchen is that it allows you to stamp your personality on the room, with combinations of colours and finishes to suit any community group.
Want a kitchen that complements the sense of tranquillity that your community seeks to foster? There are shades of white, oyster, sage, cashmere, and greys that could suit you. Is your group about exuberance, joy, and celebration? Then you might like vivid shades like lemon, strawberry, tangerine, or paprika.
The key, of course, is designing a space that people want to use. A weathered old kitchen is off-putting, and a restaurant-style stainless steel kitchen is cold and intimidating, but a semi-commercial kitchen is a fresh and welcoming environment designed specifically for your community.
How budget affects kitchen design
There’s no escaping it. Budgets are tight and quality is an investment. Budget is often the reason that people need a new kitchen in the first place — they chose a cheap kitchen and it ended up costing more by needing replacement sooner.
The most important thing is to get the kitchen that you need, that your community will love, and that fulfils your requirements. To that end, you should choose a kitchen based on specification as well as price. You can make savings elsewhere. For example, if there are remedial or even structural changes to your building required to accommodate the kitchen, then that is a good place to gather and compare quotes to find the best deal.
In terms of materials, a wooden kitchen will be cheaper than a mild steel kitchen, and it may be the only path you can take from a financial point of view, but don’t opt for a domestic style kitchen. Review a robust Woodplan variant. It bears repeating that you should be guided by your needs. There is no point having the wrong kitchen just because it is inexpensive.
Steelplan’s experts have been designing kitchens for decades, and can help you make sense of your renovation, whether you’re wondering what you need in the kitchen, what materials are best for you, or what layout would suit your purposes. Get in touch at [email protected] or 0208 254 0090, and we will be delighted to chat about your kitchen project.
