A kitchen is one – if not the most important – room where practical design features must be initiated for a fully welcoming and working space. With other rooms, such as a living room or bedroom, design features can focus mainly on aesthetics and the dressing of the room, but a kitchen needs to be practical and fully-equipped in order to work, and the majority of this focus will be on design features and appliances rather than the decorating style or the color of paint.
Here is a list of essential design features you should seriously consider for any kitchen remodeling.
1. An Accessible Pantry
Dried goods take up a significant amount of cupboard space, especially as their shelf-life is so long, meaning they could sit on the shelves for a long time before coming to the end of their life. That’s why a pantry should be on your list of must-have kitchen design features, allowing valuable cupboard space to be freed up for other uses. Pantries also mean a secure, easy place to store all dried goods together, so you’ll know where everything is when needed.
2. Smart Appliances
If you’re looking to bring your kitchen into the 21st Century, then the optimum way to do so is through an array of helpful gadgets and smart technology. Installing a chrome instant boiling water tap means you no longer have to waste time (and electricity) waiting for the kettle to boil. You can also improve the intelligence of your appliances such as your fridge, as new models now offer a wealth of capabilities such as maintaining a shopping list and being able to analyze the re-stock requirements without you having to check yourself. For features such as boiling water taps, you may want to look for “plumbing services near me” online to find professional installation and advice.
3. Hidden Storage
Storage is a must for any functional kitchen, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you want everything on display at all times or obtrusive shelving units and large wall cabinets all around the room. Hidden storage hacks can really help to preserve and store items without compromising on the space in your kitchen. It could include extra shelving fitted into a corner, or pull-out units which can easily be tucked back away. Once you know how you want the layout of your kitchen to be, you can best work out where hidden storage can be implemented.
4. An Appliance Storage Unit
Whether you’re a minimalist who prefers counter-tops to be clear of clutter, or you just prefer to put kitchen appliances away when they’re not being used, making space to store your small gadgets is a good idea. This is great for people who may only use their kettle first thing in morning or have certain smoothie makers they only use during the summertime. Appliance storage units allow these items to be hidden from view when not in use, freeing up counter space for cooking and other kitchen needs, along with maintaining the tidiness of your kitchen.
5. Embrace Eye-Level Appliances
Any working new kitchen is going to need an oven and a microwave. Therefore, if you’re remodeling your kitchen, consider installing these appliances at eye level. An eye-level oven means no more stooping to peek in or having to take things out of the oven to check them, making for a more streamlined space and a smoother cooking experience – and the same goes for microwave cooking. Take this one step further with other appliances you may use, such as a built-in coffee maker.
This also makes it easier if you need to leave the oven door open during intensive cooking and swapping over pans and trays, as a floor-level oven door will serve as a trip hazard and you will more likely suffer burns or knocks. Eye-level appliances can be more easily navigated around without getting in the way of your feet.
Your priority when designing your new kitchen should be on the practicality of appliances and counters built into the room. Additional design aspects such as color, tiling and accessories can be added afterward to give the attractive finishing touches to your new kitchen, but first and foremost should be the helpful design features and the workable environment. Before beginning your kitchen remodel, consider which appliances would work best with your lifestyle and what you would prioritize, then work backward towards what you need the least (or perhaps not at all) to ensure that your kitchen always provides everything you require.
Pinstripe Magazine Staff
Online Men’s Lifestyle Magazine on Gear, Grooming, Girls, Gadgets
