Designing your dream kitchen

Dreaming of a new kitchen? As the heart of the home, the kitchen is a very personal room. Everyone’s dream kitchen is different. Perhaps one’s idea of a perfect kitchen has a double oven and all stainless steel appliances, while another features exposed-wooden beams over a centralized hearth and wrought iron pot racks.

Get organized

As with any home improvement undertaking, redesigning the kitchen requires time and organization and one of the best ways to get started is to make a list. The list should include all the changes one plans on making, right down to the hardware on the cabinetry and the paint on the walls. If the dream kitchen includes features that aren’t already there, make a shortlist of what should be included. Now is the time to seek out that extra large wine cooler or that super sleek trash compactor.

Because dream kitchens just don’t happen, here are some helpful tips for crafting that perfect kitchen.

The shape of a kitchen has a direct effect on its functionality, but the layout of the room also needs to be conducive to ease of use. Any well-designed kitchen will have what is known as the essential work triangle in which the refrigerator, sink, and range are all within close proximity of each other. To create a fresh look in the kitchen, one might consider separating it into zones: the work area for food preparation, the cleaning area, and an area for eating. Allowing for more space and an organized layout will make for both fun and functionality in the new kitchen.

In many homes, the kitchen’s layout is dictated by the size of the space, so it is important to work with what’s available. For large kitchens, installing a freestanding kitchen island is a good way to boost storage space, add extra seating for dining, and even increase work surface availability. One might even consider including a china hutch or baker’s rack. However, for those with small kitchens, it can be a little more challenging to bring in more furniture, so built-in options for cabinetry and seating might be the way to go.

Because the kitchen is the most practical room in the home, the window treatments should reflect that. Including shutters on the windows instead of fabric curtains is great for the kitchen, regardless of overall design. Shutters will help maintain privacy, but can also help keep the room cool on hot days. To gain some inspiration of how to incorporate shutters into the kitchen, it’s a good idea to check out pictures of shutters in real homes.

The kitchen isn’t just about food preparation and mealtime; it is often the most widely used room in the home and is used as a gathering place. This is why decorating the kitchen is so very important. Start with color – it’s an easy way to personalize the space and give the room a new look. It’s always a good idea to go with neutral tones, but feel free to include a pop of bright color, either on an accent wall or by including appliances of a certain hue.

Anna, Guest Blogger