As many people begin downsizing the rest of their home into more manageable and affordable sizes, the opposite has happened for kitchens! In modern times, kitchens are being designed as the primary living space of the home, where the family comes together to work work and socialize. The kitchen is no longer simply a space for cooking and eating. These were just a few of the observations noted by kitchen design consultants Mary Jo Peterson and MaryJo Camp, and architect Doug Van Lerberghe in a January 13 session on “Reinventing the Kitchen” at the International Builder’s Show in Orlando, Fla. They offered these timely tips for creating kitchens that shine in today’s market.
1. Sinks are now becoming the “prep” areas of the kitchen rather than just for dishes. Try and upgrade to two sinks if possible to allow two people to work simultaneously.
2. Universal design for kitchen to make it functional and accessible is a trait that everyone can appreciate.
3. Use the space in your kitchen wisely to allow for better functionality, don’t try to cram “luxury” features if it is not feasible.
4. Going green in your kitchen design with items such as energy star appliances will help you, the homeowner, save!
5. Try growing an herb garden or small vegetable garden on the window sill for organic and local food!
6. Splash some color on unique parts of your kitchen to add emphasis and personality.
7. Try new colors in your kitchen that you may not be used to, it can add even more fun and personalizes space to your kitchen.
8. Try different contrasts such as light/dark or smooth/texture to add dimension to your kitchen.
9. Remember that when you are designing your kitchen make sure that you make changes that can easily be swapped out later and for long-term investments try to go more neutral.
10. Give your kitchen a feeling of openness and warmth by using warm colored and metallic finishes.
11. Make your kitchen simple, traditional never goes out of style!
12. If you have a certain special element in the kitchen make sure it stands out and isn’t competing for attention from other elements.
13. Function, function, function! Your kitchen really should incorporate functionality as a cornerstone of the design.
14. Make your kitchen mobile; for example, use an island that is on wheels to help make a kitchen bigger if it needs to be.
15. Use appliances that can handle more than one task at a time.
16. If you are on a budget, pick the things you want most and put the majority of the money into those and leave the smaller budget for the less unique aspects of the kitchen.
17. Always look for savings when designing your kitchen!
18. Lighten up your kitchen by adding windows or a skylight that can help create a more welcoming atmosphere and happier space in the kitchen!
19. Embrace designs of nature in your kitchen, nothing is better than being one with nature!
20. Splurge on the design elements in your kitchen you want, small expenditures to make your kitchen better are always worth it!
For more information on design elements for your kitchen click here!
