One of the most important things in a home is the kitchen. The way it looks and how well you can function there plays a huge role in your everyday life. Whether it’s a small room or a large one, if you’re not comfortable cooking in the kitchen, then what’s even the point? The following article has some great advice on modernizing your kitchen without going too far.
1. Compact Appliances for Small Spaces:
Kitchens need to be functional above all else. You don’t want to have extra appliances that will only take up space that could better be used for food storage or preparation area. However, when you are short on space, sometimes extending this principle too far is wasteful (and might make you feel kind of silly if the countertop convection oven doesn’t actually save you any time over a traditional oven). If you are working in a small space, it is best to consult with an interior designer who will be able to make sure that your new appliances don’t take up too much room.
2. Light it Up
Lighting plays another important role in making your kitchen well-used and livable. Lack of light can lead to dark corners, shadows where dirt could collect on surfaces that are hard to clean or see into, and just generally feeling closed in. Open floor plans are common now in many homes, but if you have walls separating rooms, adding clerestory windows above eye level for each work station in your kitchen can add a lot of light to the room, while also adding visual interest.
3. Find a Good Balance
Before you start shopping for new fixtures and appliances, it is important to find a good balance between form and function in your kitchen design. For example, modern kitchens have been trending towards more integrated appliances that don’t take up much space, but they still blend into their surroundings aesthetically. In this case you might want to consider leaving one wall placement open so that you can show off these appliances. On the other hand, if the most important thing about your kitchen is function (i.e.: cooking), then perhaps having some cabinetry on display will help tie the whole design together better than just showing off sleek finishes everywhere.
4. Save the Best for Last
The last thing you want to do is spend time on a kitchen reno and discover that your appliances aren’t up to date. The newest models offer better energy efficiency, water efficiency (yes folks, new dishwashers save water!), more space, and higher performance ratings than ever before. Future-proofing your kitchen might seem like an unnecessary expense at first, but in the long run it will be worth it. If you’re not sure what to get we can help! Try Smart Home Freezer Appliance Picker Tool and determine which model will work best for your home.
5. Choose Your Fixtures Wisely
Countertops are one of the most important aspects of any well-designed kitchen. You can create a sleek contemporary look by using clean lines, but you also want to make sure that the countertop is easy to maintain and doesn’t show every fingerprint. It’s not uncommon for homeowners today to experiment with several different materials before they find one that fits their aesthetic preference without being too difficult to use on a daily basis.
6. Don’t Forget About Lighting
Kitchen lighting is one of those things that most people think about early in the planning process, but then kind of forget about until they are ready for installation. The key with any lighting project is to think about how it will work in balance with your other fixtures and overall design idea – do you want it higher or lower? Do you want several lights or just one? How will this affect your space overall? These are all very important questions that need to be answered before you start shopping for light fixtures.
7. Get the Right Appliances
When it comes to making smart home upgrades, some renovations pay off more than others in terms of return on investment. For example, while installing solar panels is a great idea for our planet’s health and your wallet, you won’t save all that much money compared to other appliances that might use less energy on the whole (especially if you already have an efficient fridge). Regular readers know we’ve long-favored front-loading washers & dryers over top loaders because they typically use significantly less water per load. They also lose very little heat to the outside, which means they can use less hot water overall. But if you go this route, you’ll want to make sure your next fridge has an Energy Star label on it – otherwise you’ve wasted your money.
8. Be Creative
Not everyone has a big budget for kitchen design or renovation, so it’s important to think outside the box when considering how to give your home the facelift you want without breaking the bank. For example, if one of your cabinets is looking sad and ugly but still works perfectly fine, think about just painting it instead of buying all new cabinetry for that entire wall unit. Paint costs far less than brand-new cabinets (and if done properly will last just as long), but it will still give your kitchen a fresh look.
9. If You’re Not Sure Where to Start, Just Ask
If you don’t have much DIY experience and are feeling overwhelmed by the design process, there’s no shame in asking for help or advice from those who do. There are plenty of professionals out there (whether they be architects, designers, contractors, etc.) who often like working with clients directly instead of through a designer because it means more money in their pockets! It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about someone who does interior design that focuses on outdoor spaces or window treatments – having an expert by your side can certainly make the renovation process easier and less stressful. Plus, you’ll end up saving time and money in the long run.
