Kitchen furniture falls into two categories – fitted and unfitted. Fully fitted kitchens have several runs of wall, base and tall units that fulfil all the storage and functional requirements of the room. The units usually have identical door fronts, but designers have recently been combining either two colors or painted and natural wood to add more character and individuality to the kitchen.

Unfilled kitchens have a combination of free-standing and built-in units. This approach enables the designer to create a more casual atmosphere by introducing individual pieces of furniture to the room, such as dressers or free-standing larder units, which helps to detract from the utilitarian atmosphere often associated with a fully fitted kitchen.

Kitchen units

There are three basic types of kitchen unit – base, wall and tall units – plus those designed to house built-in appliances. Base units are normally 60cm/24in deep; wall units vary from 30-35cm/12-14in deep. Wall and tall units are generally used for storing foodstuffs, glasses and cups. Base mills can be used for storing crockery and utensils. Cleaning products are often kept in base units beneath the sink, while pots and pans are frequently stored in units below a cooker hob. Base units can also be used to house pull-out fittings such as bins, racks and revolving carousels. Even ironing boards can be hidden away in them.

Runs of base units are often joined together by a large corner unit. While these offer generous storage space, their contents can be difficult to access. A single door that is centrally hinged and spans across both sides of a corner cupboard is a good solution, as it gives maximum access to the space. Another Option is to have a built-in three-quarter carousel onto which the cupboard doors are attached. With this type of unit, the doors spin with the carousel, giving access to all the items stored within.

Shelving

Shelving is being used more and more in modern kitchen designs as a decorative storage solution. This is a swing back to the traditional working kitchen, and indicates the current trend towards casual styles of decor. Many modern kitchens, whether decorated in a traditional or contemporary style, feature open shelving. China and frequently used ingredients can be stored and displayed on easy-to-reach shelves. With this approach, the items being stored become an integral part of the decorative scheme, so attention should be given to the design and appearance of these items. If you intend to use this style of storage, it should be incorporated into the color scheme of the room.

Work surfaces

Professional kitchen designers are very aware of the needs of the individual working within the kitchen. This has resulted in both a wide range of practical storage solutions and the introduction of varying work surface heights. Chopping and kneading, for example, should be carried out at a low level to generate the greatest power from your arms. General tasks, such as coffee making, however, are made easier when items such as the kettle are at a higher level.