The kitchen is often called the heart of the home – and with good reason. The average American spends over 2 hours every day preparing meals and cleaning up afterwards. A good kitchen design can make preparing your food a pleasure; a poor one can leave you with constantly messy countertops and floors.
As a Realtor® and home renovator, I find that kitchen renovations often bring clients the most satisfaction. Not only does a kitchen renovation improve the functionality of your most important room, but it’s also incredibly cost-efficient. On average, you can expect to recoup 85% of renovation costs when reselling your home.
Here are my top design and renovation tips that will make you truly fall in love with your kitchen.
Start With the Kitchen Work Triangle
The foundation of a functional kitchen is what we call the “kitchen work triangle.” The stove, refrigerator, and sink are the three most important elements in your kitchen. A good layout will make it easy to quickly move between these three while cooking. It should also provide enough space so that more than one person can work in the kitchen without constantly bumping into each other.
A kitchen designer will generally create a work triangle angled between 15° and 25°. When your kitchen doesn’t have that triangle, cooking and cleaning can become time-consuming and joyless. Many of my major kitchen renovation projects, particularly in older homes, involve creating the proper kitchen layout.
While it may not sound as exciting as granite countertops or charming lighting fixtures, trust me: this is the secret to maximizing your kitchen space.
Consider Thoughtful Storage
The second biggest issue homeowners face in their kitchen is storage. While you sometimes simply need to add more cabinet space, there are innovative new storage solutions that allow you to make full use of the space you already have.
Pull-out drawers are one of my favorite solutions, as you can bring items in the back of your pantry and cabinets to the front. There are also sleek drawer dividers to organize plates and bowls, special shelves to lift heavy appliances from a lower cabinet to countertop height, and a host of interior organizers that you can install without a major renovation. Even tools like a spice rack can make your kitchen feel far more beautiful and functional.
Make it a Gathering Space
Although the kitchen is the hub of the home, it can feel lonely if you are the one cooking while your family and friends are gathering elsewhere. That’s why adding a kitchen island with stools or chairs for people to sit at is one of the best ways to entertain guests and make meal prep more fun.
Don’t forget, kitchen islands can also be a great storage solution. You can add more cabinetry into the island or other useful tools, like a prep sink, trash pullout drawer, or dishwasher.
You can even “trick up” your kitchen island to make it the ultimate entertaining spot. A new trend among homeowners is providing a beverage fridge on an island end, so that guests can quickly grab a drink without getting in the way. A microwave could also be added to allow someone to easily heat up a drink or snack.
Keep a Consistent, Clean Color Story
An aesthetically pleasing kitchen is usually a simple one. Kitchens with a mostly white color palette continue to be the most popular, as the light color story creates an uplifting mood and makes the room feel more fresh and spacious.
That’s not to say that your kitchen needs to be all white. Incorporating natural colors and textures can add softness, balance, and personal character. Great ways to incorporate color are beautiful granite or quartz countertops, wood accents and cabinetry details, and stainless steel appliances.
The key is working with a designer to incorporate the right elements that fit your kitchen needs, your design preferences, and the overall look of your home.
If you would like help with a kitchen design or renovation project, contact me at 904-626-1551 to see how we can transform your space.
