The kitchen has long been hailed as the centerpoint of any house. In fact, it tends to be what makes a house a home, and when done right, you are able to bring all your family and friends together to socialize and eat delicious meals together. Do it wrong, and you will end up with a place you dread entering and end up creating bland dishes that involve the microwave and plastic package that tastes faintly of cellophane. Fortunately, upmodeling your existing kitchen space to something more akin to what you had in mind as a new homeowner isn’t as tricky as it first seems. By the end of this post, you will be ready to develop an area that appeals to your inner masterchef!
Opt For High-Quality, Durable Countertops
Your choice of countertops can significantly influence your culinary space’s aesthetics and functionality. High-quality materials are not simply a bold statement (although they have the added benefit of being so); they are a prudent investment in the longevity and performance of your kitchen. Options such as granite or quartz kitchen countertops are fantastic at achieving this purpose and will instantly make the style pop. These materials are renowned for their resistance to scratches, heat, and stains… which the latter are inevitable if you do a lot of cooking. Additionally, high-traffic kitchens, such as those that serve as the central hub for entertainment, demand a surface that withstands the rigors of daily use without showing obvious signs of wear and tear as the years progress. In terms of maintenance, while such materials often demand less than cheaper options, they tend to require more specialized cleaning routines. How you go about this process will depend highly on the manufacturer’s instructions that should have come when you got it fitted. While this won’t be your only task if you get this step right from the get-go, everything else should fall into place.
Embrace Open Shelving For Organization And Easy Access
The modern kitchen should be the epitome of elegance and efficiency. While you don’t want to fall too far in one direction over the other, if you have to choose, efficiency is typically the road you should travel (particularly if you are a frequent home cook). Open shelving, while not especially “sexy” when compared to the options in this list, is a great way to take efficiency to the next level. Its very structure promotes a decluttering ethos, encouraging homeowners to curate their displays and maintain tidiness. With no cabinet doors to conceal chaos, the open concept naturally fosters a more organized kitchen. Stylistically, open shelves lend a spacious feel to the kitchen, breaking the monotony of solid cabinetry and contributing to a brighter atmosphere. From a purely practical standpoint, the ease of installation and the adaptability of open shelving are undeniable. They offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional cabinets and can be easily modified to accommodate evolving storage needs.
Upgrade Your Appliances For Ease Of Cooking
As lifestyles become more hectic, savvy homeowners seek aids that can help them streamline meal preparation and allow for more flexibility that the modern world unfortunately requires. You needn’t chuck everything out but rather take some time to review your existing equipment and see if anything needs updating or is missing from your collection. One of the best additions to any kitchen is a slow cooker or crockpot, as it is also known. These devices enable you to cook hearty, healthy meals with ease and are fantastic if you have a large family to feed on a daily basis. However, outside of these countertop devices, it could be prudent also to invest in newer, more energy-efficient white goods that will increase food storage capacity, reduce energy bills, and, of course, look amazing in your new kitchen!
Add A Pop Of Color
Not all kitchens have to have the austere aesthetic of a professional, fully bedecked in dull, lifeless stainless steel. If that’s your bag, then don’t let us stop you. However, if you want to make it a bit cozier, it could be worth adding a splash of color to the proceedings to make it look extra fabulous. Installing a statement backsplash is an exciting and relatively affordable way to achieve this. A colorful backsplash will simultaneously get your kitchen popping and protect the most vulnerable areas (the wall behind the cooker). Another option you can fall back on is to mix and match differing materials that combine and contrast with one another and generate a fascinating blend that captures the imagination whenever you enter the space. This can be done with furniture, appliances, or wall paint; it just takes a little creativity to get it right.
Consider A Kitchen Island If You Have The Space
If you have never scrolled through Pinterest and had the touch of envy creep up on you when you see a kitchen island, you obviously have a stout heart than I. The kitchen island has evolved from an optional luxury to an indispensable multi-tasking hub, especially for those with ample real estate. Islands deliver immense benefits by furthering the functionality and flow of a kitchen space. They establish a sense of openness and connectivity to members of the household and can function as a great place to hang out when you have guests over for an informal gathering. For those with adequate real estate, a thoughtfully designed kitchen island proves a sound design choice and can really turn an average kitchen into one that looks like it has been plucked straight out of a showhome!
Create Designated Cooking And Socializing Zones
This final tip might seem like a bit of a wildcard at first glance, but when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Most kitchens are dedicated to either cooking or socializing. Some may have some semblance of a mixture, but most don’t. A dedicated cooking zone, located near appliances and sink, ensures unhindered access during food preparation. Organized storage and counters promote an efficient mise en place. Nearby recycling and trash stations avoid clutter.
Meanwhile, a relaxed socializing zone, perhaps with an island or peninsula, invites guests with comfortable seating. This division prevents obstruction during cooking tasks while still facilitating conversation. Some even include small tables for serving appetizers or informal meals.
Reshaping your kitchen into a MasterChef paradise is not particularly challenging as long as you know what you want to achieve. This post has given you plenty of food for thought and should enable you to reach cooking nirvana before you know it.
