The primary function of a kitchen is to prepare food. However, that’s not its ONLY function. Your kitchen space is used for numerous other purposes. It’s the space where you get to connect and make memories with your family and friends. It’s also a space that adds aesthetics to your house decor.
A well-designed and functional kitchen also improves the value of your overall property. That’s why many people often do kitchen remodeling before selling their homes.
In a nutshell, your kitchen space should be fully functional as well as look good.
Taking the same into account, here are 8 design tips on planning, organization, and essential features you need to add to your kitchen.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
Eliminate Wasted Steps
Traditional kitchen layouts tend to have a lot of wasted steps, i.e., steps taken to grab the item or ingredient you want. Due to this, while preparing the food, people keep all the necessary items nearby. Sadly, this makes the place look cluttered.
That’s why when you are planning your space, make sure to reduce the wasted steps. Create the space in such a way that every item that you need is within reach. For instance, keep the bowls and surviving utensils below the island cabinets. Likewise, you can store the wraps and plastics near the refrigerator for packing leftovers.
Creating a designated place for every item ensures that you save time while using the kitchen and also makes the place more functional.
Make It Kids Friendly
Every kitchen has tools, equipment, and appliances that are not kid-friendly, such as knives, scissors, or spices. In fact, kitchen appliances are also very heavy, so if you don’t store them properly, the chances of kids getting hurt due to their increase.
Therefore, while working on designing the space, make sure it is kids friendly.
How?
Well, there should be wide walkways for the kids to pass through. According to the general rule, the paths along the kitchen should be AT LEAST 36 inches wide. Also, aisles within the cooking area should be between 42 to 48 inches wide, depending on configurations.
Apart from this, keep the items that kids want, such as bread, ketchup, or fruits, on the lower shelves. Keep the sharp and dangerous objects on the upper shelves.
Install Lots Of Cabinets
No matter how much you try to keep your place well organized and clean, somehow, items find their way to the island or near the sink. Therefore, you must install a lot of cabinets.
If you love to DIY, you can look for ready-to-assemble or RTA Kitchen cabinets online that match your style. Don’t worry! The installation process is generally very easy and takes 15 to 30 minutes. Plus, they come in various styles and sizes and can instantly make your space look well organized and clean.
Not to forget, many retailers also have easy financing options. So, you don’t have to be worried about going out of budget while designing your kitchen.
Select The Right Height For Microwave And Oven
The placement and height of the microwave or oven depend on their usage and people living in the house. For instance, if you use the microwave regularly and often, it should be placed within a few steps. Also, for adults, a height of 15 inches above the countertop level is ideal.
However, for kids, you should keep the microwave below the countertop set or top on the fridge. Nevertheless, make sure it is safe and suitable for them.
In addition to this, you should also keep the microwave bowl and utensils in the nearest cabinet so that they are easily accessible.
Create A Landing Space Near The Appliances
Creating a landing space around the appliances is a brilliant way to keep your space look modern, luxurious, and clean. Landing space around the appliances provides extra space to place items that are used during cooking or preparation.
Technically speaking, you should allow approximately 15 inches of space on either side of the cooktop and refrigerator. It will improve the efficiency of the place, and you’ll also find it fun to cook.
Tip: If you want, you can also create a landing space around the microwave, coffee pot, toaster, or any other appliance.
Keep In Mind Recycling
Believe it or not, but planning a special place for waste and recycling makes organizing much easier. Generally, it is recommended to keep two or more cabinets or containers in the outer areas of the kitchen. You can use the space for storing glass, plastic, and metals.
You can also keep a spare drawer to keep newspapers or old papers to recycle. It will ensure that you pay attention to the hygiene of your kitchen, which is, needless to say, essential.
Not to forget, it is also a great way to teach your children how to recycle. You can even assign them duties to keep all the recyclable materials in their respective containers.
Organize Your Pantry Smartly
Just like every appliance or item in your kitchen, you need to organize your pantry very carefully. Fortunately, it is pretty easy! Place the frequently consumed snacks and ingredients in the front so that it is easy to use them.
Besides that, keep the needs of other family members in mind while organizing your pantry. Snacks for kids should be at a low level. Likewise, if someone is pregnant or has back pain, keep the items they need on the upper level.
Use Light Color In Small Space
Last but not least, you must decide the color of your kitchen wisely. Dark-colored kitchens are in trend, but they can make small places look even smaller. So, if you have a bigger kitchen, go with a dark color.
Similarly, light colors make the place more appealing and spacious. So, if you have a small kitchen, go with neutral and light colors.
To Sum It All Up!
These are some design tips that will surely improve the overall functioning of your kitchen. Moreover, a well-planned kitchen ensures that everything stays well-organized and clean. Thus, every person will surely fall in love with your house, especially your kitchen.
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