The kitchen is more than just a place to cook meals; it represents the heart and soul of the home, where families and friends come together to create memories, share experiences, and nourish both body and soul. But many homeowners pass over functionality to focus on style during their kitchen renovations only to regret it in the long run.
If a kitchen remodel is in your future, here are 6 tips to maximize function without sacrificing comfort and style.
- Choose the right layout.
One of the best ways to improve functionality in a kitchen is to choose the right layout. To achieve this, keep the “work triangle,” in mind which positions the stove, sink, and refrigerator in the shape of a triangle, with an appliance at each corner. From there, consider whether there is enough room for an island, if more workspace is needed, if a workstation is necessary, and so on. Such factors could lead to tweaks in the design to create a space that works best for your household.
- Pick appliances carefully.
Sure, you can choose appliances that do their job and nothing more. But today’s modern appliances have smart features and interfaces that allow users to get much out of them. For example, a refrigerator can scan contents and let you know what is needed at the supermarket. A WiFi-enabled stove allows you to adjust temperatures and timers from a smartphone or tablet. And even rangehoods are made to produce much less noise while keeping humidity in check.
- Maximize space.
Lower cabinets can become a no-man’s land for functional storage. Large pots, pans, and baking sheets take up a lot of space, but they also leave a lot of unused space inaccessible. Look for sliding drawers, trays, and racks that mount to the cabinet’s interior and provide easy access to everything inside. These helpful items can work for accessing spices, garbage cans, pots and pans, and more.
- Add convenient plumbing features.
No longer reserved for commercial kitchens, a few custom plumbing features can really ramp-up your kitchen’s functionality. For example, consider running a plumbing line to the wall behind the stove for a pot-filler. Or add a prep-sink on an island to keep the main sink free and keep the kitchen more sanitary while cooking.
- Include lots of outlets.
Is there anything more frustrating than looking for an open outlet? No one needs that kind of stress while cooking. Consider adding a row of outlets built into the backsplash of a tiered kitchen island. Or add outlets at both ends of the island. With so many outlets available, plugging in that waffle maker or blender won’t be a problem.
- Improve lighting.
Add functional lighting over the countertops where food is frequently prepped, over the stove where food is cooked, and over any workstations where reading or writing might take place. Top it off with under-cabinet lights that can be adjusted to provide a bit more light when needed or dimmed for a little bit of ambience.
Whether you’re taking on a complete kitchen remodel or simply need a few upgrades, Blau Sudden Service is here for you. From plumbing and electrical to heating and air conditioning, Blau Sudden Service has been providing expert indoor comfort services to southern Wisconsin area customers since 1960. And we can do the same for you.