4 Functional Features You Need in Your Kitchen
When it comes to kitchen design, you probably already have an image of “musts” in your mind. For many people, this includes a large island, a top-of-the-line range, and aesthetically pleasing cabinets. All these things are beautiful and valuable, but you also want to ensure your kitchen is practical and designed with your needs in mind. As one of the most used rooms in the home, it’s essential to make it as functional as possible. Keep reading to learn a few of our favorite functional kitchen features you will want to add during your next remodel.
1. Smart Storage
One of our clients’ most significant pain points when remodeling the kitchen is storage. In today’s modern world, we fill the kitchen with not only plates and bowls but a plethora of tools, Tupperware, and serving dishes. Having an organized space where every item has its place makes cooking or baking much more manageable. There are many options to help achieve this. A vertical utility drawer next to the stove with utensil holders for your spatulas and wooden spoons helps keep everything you need while cooking within reach and easily accessible. No more searching for a spatula while your pancake burns! A vertical drawer with dividers for cookie sheets, cutting boards, and other flat items helps save on space and makes each item more straightforward to access.
To truly help organize all your pots and pans, consider adding sliding pull-out drawers and shelves. Pull-out shelves make it convenient to store and retrieve items in deep cabinets. This way, you can take advantage of all the cabinet space available. Of course, one of the trickiest parts of the kitchen to achieve maximum storage is in the corner. While this cabinet offers the most storage space, it’s also the hardest to get to. Two great options for this spot are a lazy susan or pull-out cabinets. Both allow you to quickly access items stored in the back of the cabinet by either rotating the tray or sliding out the shelves.
2. Appliance Garage
Pots, pans, and spatulas aren’t the only items that need a spot in your kitchen. From toasters and air fryers to blenders and Keurig machines, we all have various appliances that need a home in our kitchens. While these devices help simplify our lives, they take up a lot of space, and it can look messy to have everything displayed on your countertops. The solution? Add an appliance garage!
An appliance garage is a storage cabinet installed on your countertop or under your upper cabinets with a door that lifts or slides to the side. The purpose of this type of cabinet is to keep your smaller appliances out of sight but easily obtainable. Not only does it free up valuable counter space that you can use for food prep and other tasks, but it also helps keep your kitchen looking clean and organized. The appliance garage is perfect for everyday items that take up too much counter space, such as coffee makers, blenders, and toasters.
3. Workstation Sink and Hands-Free Faucet
The kitchen sink is one of the most hard-working items in the room. From cleaning fruit and vegetables to filling pots and washing dishes, there’s no denying the sink is the MVP of the kitchen. Installing a workstation sink is one of the best ways to get the most from your sink. Workstation sinks are large and typically come with built-in cutting boards, colanders, drying racks, and other helpful features that make cooking and cleaning a breeze. With this sink, you can prep, cook, and clean all in one place. If a workstation sink isn’t in the cards, consider installing a double sink with dedicated spaces to wash dishes and food or a farmhouse sink with extra room to clean large pots and pans.
No matter the sink option, installing a hands-free faucet to go with it is a must. A hands-free faucet helps keep your kitchen clean (no more germy faucet handle) and makes filling pots or watering plants much more effortless. It also helps conserve water by shutting off automatically seconds after use.
4. Layered Lighting
Lighting may not be the first thing to come to mind when designing your kitchen, but it’s essential to be able to work in the space properly. When planning your kitchen lighting, you want it to be inviting and functional. To start, illuminate the entire room by installing recessed ceiling fixtures. Next, add some focal point fixtures like pendant lights over the island or sink. These add a stylish element to your kitchen and elevate the room. One of the most essential lights to add is task lighting. You can incorporate task lights in many areas. Placing them under the cabinets ensures your countertops are well-lit, making it easier to chop and prep meals. Of course, there’s no replacing natural light. Installing large windows or skylights guarantees your kitchen will be filled with natural light to brighten the space and make it inviting.
Are you ready to build your dream kitchen? Connect with us to see how we can help!
