As you are using your kitchen now more than ever during this unique time of working from home, homeschooling, meal prep, cooking and baking, or just as a space of serenity during your morning cup of coffee, I'm sure there have been moments of "when it's time to redo our kitchen, here's what we will need to change" or maybe thoughts of "there has to be a better way," and "if only my kitchen had..." and fill in the blank. One thing is for sure; you don't have to compromise beauty for functionality in your kitchen.
The heart of the home can be both beautiful and practical! When it's the right time to renovate your kitchen, we want to equip you with the correct information to maximize functionality and create a beautiful aesthetic to suit your home and lifestyle.
#1 KICTHEN LAYOUT - Design a Layout for Work Flow and Movement
An essential element to consider when thinking of your kitchen layout is, how will your workflow operate? When positioning the three main elements of the kitchen (storage, preperation and cooking), make sure that there are proper accessibility and traffic flow. What kind of movement does your layout allow? Sufficient space between the working station is also important to make sure that 2 people can interact in the same space comfortably without bumping into each other.
Here are a few questions to consider when renovating your kitchen:
• Is your current kitchen layout functional? If not, what would you want to change in your kitchen?
• Do you have the ability to reconfigure the kitchen layout, including moving electrical, gas and/or plumbing fixtures?
• How will changing my kitchen layout accomplish my goals?
#2 ORGANIZATION
Organization is good for the soul. We know that when our kitchen is organized with a designated spot for cooking gadgets, knives, spices, pots, and pans, it's a joy to navigate in the space. When items can be appropriately organized inside of a cabinet or a drawer, and are easily accessible, it frees up valuable countertop space for prep work. It makes cooking far more enjoyable and less stressful. Carefully planned interior accessories are a great investment that makes a huge difference in cabinet functionality.
Take a look at a few examples here:
#3 OPEN SHELVING
In addition to closed storage, we love the look of open shelves in kitchens. For ultimate fictionality, open shelving shouldn't take the place of necessary storage in your kitchen. Open kitchen shelves are not intended for bags of flour, boxes of cookies, and everyday food items, simply because they aren't that aesthetically pleasing. Use this space to highlight your fine china, fresh flowers, or even everyday tableware, provided it's made up of well-coordinated sets. In many kitchens, open shelves are pure luxury. This is where you can easily place a few items of decor so that they are out of the way and keep your countertops clear for workspace. For a more polished design, use open shelves to feature a contrasting wood species and finish.
Take a look at a few examples here:
#4 KITCHEN LIGHTING
Proper lighting often one of the last things to be incorporated in kitchen design, but it is essential for creating a productive working environment. Under-cabinet and in-cabinet lights can be used to illuminate a work surface, provide ambient light in place of overhead lighting, and highlight decorative elements such as cabinets with glass doors and finished interiors. These details certainly add to the investment of a kitchen renovation, but their importance is significant in function, beauty, and smart ideas for the cook in all of us!
Take a look at a few examples here:
Bakes and Kropp Fine Cabinetry will be here to support our industry partners during these extraordinary times. Now more than ever, we need to stay connected! We would love to hear from you. If you have any questions about product or process please don’t hesitate to contact our Sales & Marketing Director, Joyce Malavé at jmalave@bakesandkropp.com
