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KITCHEN UNITS

The world of effective kitchen design is a maze of design ideas, guides and tips – and a seemingly endless stream of expert advice. Before you start planning your brand new kitchen, you first need to decide what your needs are. Do you want to simply give your kitchen a facelift, or start completely fresh? Budget, of course, will be a big determining factor. But you should also decide which elements (if any) you like in your kitchen – and would like to keep. If your kitchen layout works for example, why change it? It’s best to focus on areas in need of attention – replacing those rickety cabinets or updating the worktop can completely transform your space. If you do want an entirely new kitchen, there are many things to consider. To help you determine your needs, ask yourself these questions:

 

  1. How can you keep the distance between your main work stations as short as possible? Most efficient kitchen layouts harness the power of the triangle.

  2. Where do you need the most worktop space? Next to the stove and oven, or closer to your serving area?

  3. What are your storage needs? Take a look at how much you need now and plan accordingly. Small kitchens require more thought and clever ideas.

  4. Are you a dinner party person? Do you have kids? Consider whether you need space for a table or bar for someone to sit and talk to you while cooking.

  5. Where do you want to store the appliances and utensils that you use most?

  6. Are you a gadget person? Do you want your tools stored away or out for quick use?

  7. What appliances are non-negotiables? Do you require a double-door fridge or gas stove? These decisions will affect your layout.

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BUILT-IN-CLOSETS ("BICs")(wardrobes)

Walk-in closets are the epitome of luxury. While they're a great place to store your clothes, shoes and accessories, walk-in closets can also become a respite from the rest of your house (if done right). But even if you have tons of space to work with, it's easy for your things to get scrambled, especially if there isn't a proper organisation system in place. That's where PlanetHome’s inspiring walk-in closet ideas come into play. Whether you're looking to transform part of your bedroom into a walk-in closet or revamp what you already have, we've got plenty of ideas to help you make the most of your space, big or small. Keep in mind that there are two main factors to consider: the room's style and function. Along with finding an inviting design, it's equally as important to go with an efficient layout and organization system to create a sense of order, whether it's with baskets, color-coded shelves or additional storage solutions. 

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 Prioritize space for dresses or longer hanging clothes.

Design for a long hang section first and then place drawers and shelves after.  Make all remaining space double hang in order to maximize vertical space.

 

Fold knits and sweaters to avoid damage to the clothing.

Help maintain the garment's shape by stacking or folding sweaters, knits and t-shirts in drawers or on shelves.

 

Consider seasonal storage when designing.

If you are pressed for space, rotate your seasonal clothing (spring/summer and fall/winter) from the master closet into a secondary closet or storage space. Baskets and bins will work wonders when keeping seasonal items organized and out of the way.

 

Create a noticeable divide for a shared closet.

This will prevent any future arguments about crowding each other space or mixing clothes. Women's clothing tends to take up more space then men's and require more long hang.

 

Design with extra shoe storage in mind.

The average woman has four times more pairs of shoes compared to the man. Design for ample shoe storage and allow room to grow. More shoes can fit on a flat shelf and they are best stored heel to toe for maximum space functionality.

Gallery: Gallery
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BATHROOM VANITIES

1. Consider Who Is Going to Be Using It, and How

The vanity you choose should take into account the people who are going to be using it, and the type of things they will be using it for. For example, if you are renovating an en-suite for you and your partner, both of whom need a sink at the same time in the morning, you may be leaning towards a vanity with a double sink. If you’re by yourself, you could make do with something smaller. You also need to take into account how you will be using your vanity. If you are someone who likes to do their makeup and hair, you’ll want more counter space and storage to accommodate supplies. PlanetHome has created many vanities over the years, and we’ll be able to help create a design that works for every person and every use.

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2. Find Out Where Your Plumbing Is Located

Plumbing will most likely be the part of your bathroom that dictates where your vanity is going to go. It costs time and money to make changes to your plumbing. This means that your plumbing will also have a say when it comes to choosing a style. For example, a floor-mounted vanity can make use of the typical plumbing layout. A wall-mounted vanity would require moving the plumbing hookups for your sink. Moving plumbing is not impossible; it depends on what you want, and the budget you have set aside for the project. If you decide to work with the existing plumbing set up, this will help you narrow down your vanity styles.

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3. Look at Potential Obstacles to Determine Placement and Size

Bathroom designs can always be changed. Doors and walls? That’s a little harder. This limits the places you can put your vanity. Things you want to consider when determining placement include:

Door swing: If your bathroom door swings inwards and hits the vanity, this is both ineffective and annoying.

The shower: Are you opting for a shower with a door instead of a curtain? This is another swing you should account for when deciding where to place your vanity.

The toilet: Do you want the vanity in front of, beside, or far from the toilet? Will you be bumping into the vanity when trying to ‘go’?

The flow of traffic: Your vanity shouldn’t make navigating the rest of your bathroom a bother. If you’re constantly bumping into it trying to avoid something else, you’re going to get frustrated, not to mention bruised.

Experiment by walking around the space.

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4. Decide How Much and What Kind of Storage You Want

One of the perks of a vanity is having more storage. You’ll finally have a place to put everything! Before we get too excited about the storage, you have to look at the space and sizing you settled on in step three.

Depending on the space and what you want to store, there may have to be some compromise. For example, you may not be able to accommodate three columns of drawers and room for the sink plumbing in the space available. You may have to mix and match. Don’t worry, PlanetHome is great at creating a design that works no matter what. Remember drawers and cabinet doors take up different kinds of space. Drawers will extend out in front, and doors will swing out and to the side. Depending on the placement and layout of your bathroom, one may work better than the other. No matter what style you go with, PlanetHome has some organizational tools that will give you maximum storage with minimum problems.

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5. Determine Your Sink Style

You’ve probably spent a lot of time determining what faucet and taps you want, but don’t forget that they are only one part of the sink. You also need to carefully consider the bowl, and how it will impact the look and utility of your vanity. With so many sink styles available, it can be a little overwhelming trying to pick the one that you’ll like the most. The best way to approach it is to decide how much counter space you want, and how much should be allotted to the sink.

A sink is going to take up some counter no matter the style, but depending on which one you go with, you can minimize the amount of counter space it will take up.

 

 

6. Pick Out Materials That Will Handle Wear and Tear and Look the Way You Want

Your vanity is going to come in contact with a lot of substances during its life. Water, spilled makeup, cleaning products, just to name a few. It’s also going to be in a room that is more humid than not thanks to those steaming hot showers we love so much. This means that you are going to want a vanity that can hold up against whatever life throws at it. Certain materials are better suited to warm, moist climates than others. While you may like the look of one material or finish, it may not be waterproof, or could be susceptible to scratches. Melamine, wood veneers, laminate, and thermofoil are materials that will hold up well in the bathroom environment, and they look good, too. It is also recommended that you choose a vanity top that is durable, and avoid doing any grouting that will be hard to clean later. PlanetHome has a variety of materials and counter tops to choose from which will give you a vanity that is beautiful and functional.

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7. Remember That There Are No Wrong Choices When It Comes to Personal Style

By the end of the process, your vanity should look like a vanity you can’t wait to use and keep forever. There are no wrong choices when it comes to final designs – only your choice!

If you’re still trying to figure out what your style is, the PlanetHome design gallery has some great examples of its work that are sure to get your imagination going.

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OTHER PRODUCTS 
i.e. bank counters, tv stands, desks, etc