You want your kitchen to be beautiful. With some careful planning ahead, it can be that and so much more.
Before you even begin to select the cabinetry, hardware, flooring and appliances, you may want to develop a list of practical as well as dreamy ways that you would like your new kitchen to serve you. Following are some tried and true ideas to begin with. Once you get going, your ideas will flow:
- My personal favorite- ergonomics: With the help of designer
Emily Robbins
, we recreated our kitchen in the Atlanta, Georgia area, circa 2006. During one of our first meetings, I brought a very long list of practical items that would suit our lifestyle, while also likely meet the needs of future homeowners. As I handed Emily the list I added "If you can make it look pretty, all the better!" I remember one of her questions being, "Do you want me to get you out of your comfort zone?" with my response being a resounding "Yes." I challenge you to do the same.Consider what the primary focal point will be. For us, it was going to be an oil painting of a bowl of fruit that my mother painted, set into an wall of of tennessee stacked stone, identical to the the stacked stone that surrounded the fireplace in the adjoining great room. The painting would be set over the stove as it had been in her own house for so many years. It was from that point in the kitchen that all else was arranged. Where will people dine and/or linger? We knew we wanted a large, one level, center island with a long gorgeous cut of mahogany with several tibetan stools to pull up to it. What will the typical flow of the kitchen be? The refridgerator would be best near the kitchen table, with the microwave across from the fridge. Since the counter would be low, a microwave drawer made sense. After the fridge and across from the center island, we added a pull-out garbage and recycling cabinet to clean dinner plates into, then the sink to rinse them, then the dishwasher to the right of the sink. We added a beverage fridge to allow space for primarily food in the main fridge during large gatherings. And finally, one of my personal favorites: his and hers "miscellaneous things" drawers, aka junk drawers.
- Sustainable Solutions: This is a growing area of popularity. You would do well to incorporate eco-friendly materials and appliances into your kitchen's design. Think about adding a compost system and using energy-efficient lighting and water-saving taps.
- Smart Kitchen Technology: Be sure to do your homework or seek the guidance of a designer that embraces smart technology solutions. From smart ovens to refrigerators, faucets, coffee makers and more ... there are many ways to improve efficiencies in your kitchen.
- Entertainment and Social Hub: If you enjoy music while preparing meals, equip your kitchen with a sound system and maybe even a small TV or tablet holder for following recipes or catching up on shows while cooking. Consider also how you would like to accommodate social gatherings.
- Well-Lit Workspace: Ensure there's ample lighting over key areas like the stove, sink, and prep areas. Consider adding under-cabinet lights for a warm ambiance and better functionality. This, can turn an otherwise ho-hum ambience into one with great appeal.
- Personal Touches: Leave space for personal items that make the kitchen feel like home. This could be a display shelf for cookbooks, a family message board, or an art corner for kids’ creations. Your designer will likely enjoy creating this "must have" space as much as the others.
If you know that you'll likely be selling your home in less than 5 years, why not enjoy the improvements now, before you move. Your new kitchen will suit you so well that you'll wonder how you lived without it.
For more designer resource tips, DM me today!
Linda Crane (215) 429-0419
