Whether you need a place to perfect your favorite gourmet recipe or a place to heat 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, which makes 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 map out 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 creates waste
We can’t say it enough: never start renovating before you’re perfectly clear on what you want to change. To help you figure out what needs to stay and what needs to go, spend a few hours cooking in the space, actively thinking about what’s 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 kids who like to help you cook, you might even consider installing lower countertops that your kids can easily reach.
4. What is the island for?
Many quality kitchens have an island, but you probably haven’t considered what its purpose is. 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 a kitchen and casual dining area, be sure to leave enough space to accommodate both functions.
5. Keep cabinets away from corners
Don’t just think about how amazing your new cabinets will look…also think about how and in which direction they will open. A designer’s worst nightmare is corners obstructing cabinet doors, or cabinet doors swinging in opposite directions and colliding. Blunders like that create ultimate palm-wrecking moments.
6. Outlets are priceless
Whether you’re plugging in your new blender or wanting to charge your phone, installing power outlets in convenient places like on your island or backsplash is essential, but oftentimes forgotten!
7. Consider your walking trails
As a general rule of thumb, all quality kitchens should have aisles that are at least 45 inches wide (if not more!) in cooking areas and walkways that are approximately 35 inches wide in the rest of the space. Nobody wants a traffic jam in the kitchen!
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 make this dream 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 get in the way. Solve both problems with a simple solution: hide your recycling in pull-out cabinets. If organization is your thing, 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 remodeling your shelves, countertops, and sinks. Although glass shelves or glossy finishes may 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 a fancy new recipe. It’s often worth prioritizing practicality over appearance, so think twice about those matte finishes and undermount sinks.
Quality kitchens strike the perfect balance between practicality and appearance and, more importantly, put a smile on your face. Make your dream come true with these 10 tips that will make your makeover as easy as pie!
