Important kitchen design considerations to make when planning your space
The kitchen is the hub of most homes— from a simple eating place to a lavish entertaining space, there is a lot to consider when it comes to kitchen design. Definitely take advantage of visiting local models and showrooms when planning. Physically peek in drawers, open cabinets, investigate appliances, and sit at the island. Get a feel for what you like, hands-on is the best way to gather good design ideas!
Check out these additional kitchen design considerations when your planning fashionable yet functional kitchen:
LifeSTYLE
Evaluate personal needs to ensure your kitchen is designed in a way that fits your lifestyle. If you entertain frequently you may want a larger island and/or workspace to accommodate groups of family and friends in the kitchen. Islands are a favorite space to eat from and stand around enjoying company, plus they are often a focal point in the kitchen. If you host a lot of parties, you may even consider an adjacent room or sitting space that would allow guests to interact from outside of the kitchen. If you are a gourmet cook, make room for specialty appliances, ample prep space and a well-stocked pantry.
Love the Layout
Think about your ideal work triangle when laying out the kitchen. A work triangle is the distance between the sink, refrigerator, and range—the most used features in a kitchen. All distances should be relatively close, just a step or two in between is ideal. You will love having the pantry and garbage nearby too. If space allows, a walk-in pantry is an attractive addition. There are also plenty of integrated cabinet systems available that make food storage functional and seamless. Make a list of what you like to keep in your cabinets and pantry, then think out a space for each item to ensure you are planning ample storage space.
Planning Convenience
If you spend enough time looking at kitchen galleries online you will notice pot fillers, beverage stations, breakfast bars, and butler’s pantries are all the rage. That is because they add convenience to busy schedules, something we all desire.
Pot fillers can be plumbed directly above the stove and alleviate the need to carry heavy pots of water across the kitchen, plus they look cool. Beverage stations and breakfast bars help jumpstart the day with easy organized access to coffee, tea, smoothies, cereal, and other grab-n-go items. This may also be a handy place to store the toaster, waffle iron, cute mugs, and pretty plateware. A butler’s pantry also increases storage and serving space in the kitchen, plus it adds high-end looks. Added cabinet and counter space for a butler’s pantry may include a beverage refrigerator, curated pantry items (in adorable jars!), favorite dinnerware, and other select items.
Picking Appliances
Standard appliances include range, refrigerator, dishwasher, and usually a microwave. Commercial sizes and apartment sizes are available to support different lifestyles and living. Range hoods are popular for making a fashion statement in the kitchen while offering functional ventilation and added lighting. Specialty appliances include warming drawers, steamers, espresso machines, beverage coolers, ice machines, and more. Smart enabled kitchen appliances like app-operated ovens and alerting refrigerators are now available for the tech savvy cook. Efficient appliances make cooking faster and more fun.
Style Statement
Cabinetry, countertop, hardware, and lighting selections all offer opportunities to embellish a space with unique style. For a modern look, opt for slab or shaker style cabinets. Raised panel cabinets are more traditional in design if you are after timelessness. Countertops consume a lot of space in the kitchen, so aesthetics are as important as function. Consider your cleaning routine and countertop uses when selecting materials. Our recent post on countertops has lots of great info to contemplate. Hardware in the kitchen is like jewelry, a chance to make a bold statement. Make selections that reflect sought after style. Lastly lighting—it’s time to shine! Spotlight workspaces and overall design with appropriate fixtures.
Everything Home designers know their way around the kitchen. We would love an opportunity to design your happy place—a kitchen that makes cooking more efficient and fun. Contact us to learn about our signature process.
Happy Home. Happy Life.
What kitchen design considerations did you take into account when planning your kitchen? Did you forget any? Share your kitchen design experiences in the comments below.
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