Whether you live in Los Angeles or are Brisbane based, every person around the world will use their kitchen at least once each day. It’s the center of the home for socializing, eating and prepping meals. No other room receives so much attention. However, many homes go without a functional feeling for years. There are both affordable changes and major investments that can be made to spruce up your kitchen. Explore the proven tips for a modern and functional kitchen today. One change can spark an entire remodel.
Within Reach
You may be dreaming of a huge kitchen, but looks can be deceiving. A functional kitchen means that you can reach items with ease. If you have a kitchen where there’s a hike between the refrigerator and sink, it’s not a truly functional space.
Try to arrange the kitchen, regardless of its size, by moving the sink, range and refrigerator closer together. Reaching for these items should be a stretch rather than a walk. You’ll be able to cook, clean and prep with greater ease as a result.
Add an Island or Two
The kitchen island is a perfect space for a cooktop, bar or sink. Many people appreciate the kitchen island because it’s an alternative gathering area aside from the dining room. It’s not unusual today for homes to have two islands. One island may be the main space, whereas a smaller island offers another prep area.
Use your kitchen’s dimensions and shape in order to plan out an island install. Every kitchen has a unique appearance within the structure’s architecture.
Hang Them Up
Your island and surrounding cabinetry have perfect sides for hanging utensils. Install a stainless-steel rod against one of these sides. Hang spatulas, spoons and other large tools on it with hangers.
As you cook, pull out these tools with a quick reach of the arm. You’ll free up space in your drawers as a result of this addition. Be sure to select a cabinetry side that’s somewhat hidden from view, however. You want a functional yet neat kitchen.
Check the Plumbing
A modern and functional kitchen cannot occur unless the plumbing is properly maintained. If you perform any upgrades in and around the sink, be sure to check the plumbing as you go. Sink and slab leaks can occur to plumbing that’s been aging in place for too long.
Ask a plumber to give the pipes a thorough evaluation. Fix anything that’s declining. Ideally, you want the plumbing to work as cleanly as possible so that water damages don’t become part of your kitchen’s future.
Consider the Sink Sizing
There’s a lot more to sinks today than just choosing between one or two bowls. There are considerable size differences to make your kitchen that much more functional. Look for farmhouse sinks that have an attractive shape, which bows out from the surrounding cabinetry. These sinks are perfect for families with large pots to wash.
Try stainless steel or traditional-white sinks too. Whether you need one or three bowls, the selection is yours to ponder.
Pull out the Drawers
Whether you’re buying new cabinets or adding hardware to the original boxes, be aware of functionality when it comes to the drawers and doors. Open every drawer and door. See how they interact with each other. Although some parts might bump up against each other, they shouldn’t hinder the full movement of the system.
If you add large hardware onto the bare doors, be careful about these parts coming into contact with each other. They shouldn’t strike or connect as you pull out the drawers. It’s these small details that make a difference in your kitchen.
Go Vertical
Whenever possible, use your wall space as a way to create functionality. There are dozens of different ideas for vertical designs, from adding rods to basic hooks.
Because these vertical, storage areas are often a focal point, try to make the design functional and attractive. Unique containers holding favorite spices might be a good idea, for instance.
Try Lazy
Every kitchen has cabinet corners with questionable functionality. They seem like black holes within the kitchen. Outfit these spaces with Lazy Susans or rotating trays. With these installations, you can place a lot of items on the tray while being able to access them with the spin of the assembly.
Other households opt for slide-out assemblies. Regardless of the style, you have access to the entire corner without losing any items to the back wall.
Spice up a Drawer
Those tiny, spice containers can be a hassle to organize. Stack them and they topple. Try a dedicated drawer for the spices. Add a cradle support into the drawer so that the spices lay down. With one pull of the handle, you can see every spice available. This design choice frees up other areas so that space remains optimized and functional.
Do Install a Pull-Down Faucet
If you have an old faucet in your kitchen, prioritize its removal and replacement. Today’s faucets are more functional than ever before. Many models come with a pull-down faucet that gives you versatility during cleaning sessions.
Grab the faucet head, pull it out and wash down the sink. Give a dish a final spray too. There’s no need for a separate spray head anymore.
Add Filtered Water
Your refrigerator may have a water dispenser, but you want an alternative. Consider the addition of a filtered-water system. The dispenser resides on the sink countertop with the filters hidden underneath. It connects directly into your plumbing so that the refrigerator doesn’t have to perform this job.
At this point, upgrade your refrigerator to a model that doesn’t have the water dispenser. Fewer parts on the appliance’s door will only reduce the upkeep costs over the years.
Try simple upgrades on your home at first. Major renovations may make the kitchen difficult to use for several weeks. Simply plan your upgrades with plenty of research behind the effort. Your kitchen can feel like a professional space in no time.