Exploring function over aesthetics with Ergonomic Expert Amanda Hughes

In this episode of "Love Your Kitchen," Faye Newman is joined by Amanda Hughes, the ergonomics and ageing solutions expert for Blum. They take a deep dive into the art of kitchen island design, offering expert advice for creating a centrepiece that fits your space perfectly. They emphasise the need for thoughtful planning, covering key aspects like size, layout and seating options to ensure seamless integration and functionality.Key TakeawaysWhen designing kitchens, prioritising functionality, ergonomics, and universal design principles is advised over aesthetics. This ensures the space meets your long-term needs, promoting usability and comfort.A great way to maximise storage space is by increasing drawer depth, expanding cabinet dimensions, and integrating pull-outs and lift systems. These strategies enhance organisation and accessibility, making your kitchen more efficient and user-friendly.Investing in high-quality, durable components like hinges and drawer boxes that undergo rigorous testing is recommended. By prioritising quality, you ensure that these components last the lifetime of the kitchen, reducing maintenance costs and enhancing your overall satisfaction.Best Moments"We've always been anthropologists...we've been operating since 1952. Believe it or not, I would say quite a long history. And we've always been really interested in patterns of human behaviour, but patterns of behaviour I suppose in and around domestic architecture, and particularly the kitchen.”"One of our CLIP top BLUMOTION hinges, which again, I think if the listener looks at their current kitchen, and opens a cupboard door and has a little look and see whether you've got blue hinges, but in one of those hinges potentially there's 58 separate components, which make us 58 production lines, 58 components that have had to be developed.”“People say… a draw's a draw. A hinge is a hinge, a door's a door; are they really bothered…why would you buy a car that looks nice and that you don't know what's under the bonnet you're buying. You want to actually know that the working components in that kitchen have been well thought out well designed, they're gonna last, they’re kind to the environment…we make our product, our flat strip steel, which is one of the world's most recyclable materials''About the GuestAmanda Hughes has nine years of experience at Blum, focusing on ergonomics, gerontology, and anthropometrics. Blum conducts extensive research on human behaviour patterns in domestic spaces, informing Amanda's work. Her expertise in kitchen design trends and ergonomic principles ensures Blum prioritises user perspectives in product development.Find out more at blum.comAbout the HostFaye Newman is a freelance Kitchen Designer with eight years of experience in the industry. With a background in furniture design and a passion for creating spaces that reflect the essence of the home, Faye brings a unique perspective to kitchen design. Connect with Faye Newman DesignVisit the website at www.fayenewmandesign.com for more kitchen design inspiration, resources, and services.Join our vibrant email community to receive exclusive updates, tips, and special offers by clicking [here](https://subscribepage.io/fayenewmandesign).Follow us on Instagram @fayenewmandesign for daily doses of kitchen design inspiration and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.