Whether you need a place to perfect your favorite gourmet recipe or a place to warm up a frozen pizza, the kitchen is an integral part of any home. From enjoying your coffee in the morning to catching up with friends or family over dinner, most of us spend a considerable amount of time in our kitchens, making it all the more important that we feel 100% comfortable in the kitchen. space.
So it’s no wonder so many of us opt for a remodel to create a perfectly functional kitchen that meets your highest expectations. But before you start fixing all the quirks that bother you so much, take a moment, or two, to design your ideal space in your head. To keep things in perspective, we’ve put together this list of the top 10 tips for creating quality kitchens beyond your wildest dreams. Read on for unmatched inspiration!
1. Haste breeds waste
We can’t say it enough: never start renovating before you are perfectly clear about what you want to change. To help you figure out what should stay and what should go, spend a few hours cooking in the space, actively thinking about what is undesirable or inefficient. All quality kitchens are the result of meticulous planning, so never skip this step in the process!
2. Leave plenty of storage space
Your storage space on either side of your stove and near your refrigerator (and maybe even near your microwave) should be at least 15 inches long. Comfort is key, after all!
3. Let’s chat about countertops
If you’re a kitchen guru, look for spacious countertops that allow you to line up and reach all of your ingredients with minimal effort. If you have children who like to help you cook, you may even want to consider installing lower countertops that your children can easily reach.
4. What is the island for?
Many quality kitchens have an island, but you probably haven’t considered its purpose. Well, now is the time, as your answer will affect its layout and size! If you want to kill two birds with one stone and use the island as both a kitchen and casual dining area, be sure to leave enough space to accommodate both functions.
5. Keep cabinets out of corners
Don’t just think about how amazing your new cabinets will look…also think about how and which way they will open. A designer’s worst nightmare is corners obstructing cabinet doors, or cabinet doors swinging in opposite directions and colliding. Blurbs like that create defining palm-sized moments.
6. Power outlets are priceless
Whether you’re plugging in your new blender or want to charge your phone, installing power outlets in convenient places, like on your island or backsplash, is essential but often forgotten!
7. Consider your walking paths
As a general rule of thumb, all quality kitchens should have walkways that are at least 45 inches wide (if not more!) in cooking areas and walkways that are about 35 inches wide in the rest of the space. Nobody wants a kitchen traffic jam!
8. Take advantage of convenience
Wouldn’t it be great if you could fill your pot with water right next to your stove? Well, clever pot fillers turn this dream into a very convenient reality. Why not give your arms a break and install one of these miraculous mechanisms?
9. Revolutionize recycling
Exposed recycling bins not only take away from the beauty of a room, they can also be in the way. Solve both problems with one simple solution: hide your recycling in pull-out cabinets. If organization is what you’re all about, you could even put your glass, plastic, metal, and paper containers in separate cabinets.
10. Consider cleanliness
No one likes to think about cleaning, but do yourself a favor by revamping your shelves, countertops, and sinks. Although glass shelves or glossy finishes can look fabulous when first installed, consider how long it will take to clean these materials after you’ve been baking with the kids or trying out an elaborate new recipe. It often pays to prioritize practicality over looks, so think twice about those matte finishes and undermount sinks.
Quality kitchens strike the perfect balance between practicality and appearance, and most importantly, they put a smile on your face. Make your dream come true with these 10 tips that will make your makeover as easy as pie!
