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New Year's Resolutions for Your Kitchen, Part II
Here's how to make your new kitchen more functional and fabulous this year
Kitchens are typically the costliest and most challenging rooms in the home to remodel. They touch on every one of your home's mechanical systems, which entails hiring multiple licensed tradesmen or being a very knowledgeable do-it-yourselfer. They can also have a significant impact on your home's resale value. You want to maximize both your return on investment and enjoyment of the space when you take on a new kitchen project.
More: New Years Resolutions for Your Kitchen, Part I
More: New Years Resolutions for Your Kitchen, Part I
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Kitchen Planning Resolution No. 1: Provide good ventilation
You may not want to see your kitchen's vent hood. You may not want to hear it either. However, be sure you have the right strength for your cooking equipment and vent outside if at all possible.
Poor ventilation subjects your home, furniture, family and even pets to excess grease, odors, steam and other unpleasant cooking byproducts.
You may not want to see your kitchen's vent hood. You may not want to hear it either. However, be sure you have the right strength for your cooking equipment and vent outside if at all possible.
Poor ventilation subjects your home, furniture, family and even pets to excess grease, odors, steam and other unpleasant cooking byproducts.
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Kitchen Planning Resolution No. 2: Don't sacrifice function for form
This kitchen didn't just deliver the style the client wanted, it gave this homeowner, who loves to entertain, a strategically zoned, highly functional space to cook, serve and gather.
This kitchen has a cooking zone, a food storage zone and a prep clean-up zone. Everything she needs for those tasks is within convenient reach, saving steps when she's getting ready to entertain guests at home.
This kitchen didn't just deliver the style the client wanted, it gave this homeowner, who loves to entertain, a strategically zoned, highly functional space to cook, serve and gather.
This kitchen has a cooking zone, a food storage zone and a prep clean-up zone. Everything she needs for those tasks is within convenient reach, saving steps when she's getting ready to entertain guests at home.
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| Kitchen Planning Resolution No. 3: Don't contract island fever Some kitchens, like the one at this vacation home I designed, are simply too small for islands. If you don't have enough room to walk or work around one, then do not try to cram one in! A peninsula or rolling cart will work better for your space. If you do have room for an island, don't oversize it to the point that it cuts off circulation between your work zones. Also, remember to plan any island seating you desire for its non-working side, with enough room behind for someone to walk by. |
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| Kitchen Planning Resolution No. 4: Don't ignore lighting needs An under-lit kitchen doesn't work well. It needs natural, general and task lighting to function and look its best. Don't relegate lighting to an afterthought. Plan it as part of your kitchen design from the beginning. |
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| Kitchen Planning Resolution No. 5: Maximize space I'm going to stop complaining this year about the size of my kitchen and take advantage of unused space, like bare walls and ceiling, to increase its storage potential. |
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Kitchen Planning Resolution No. 6: Pay attention to electrical needs
Small appliances and the outlets they require are facts of modern life. If you want your kitchen to perform at peak capacity, you need to plan in your power needs. Your island and backsplash need outlets, but you don't necessarily want to see them breaking up a beautiful tile design or cabinetry panel. Plan ahead.
Small appliances and the outlets they require are facts of modern life. If you want your kitchen to perform at peak capacity, you need to plan in your power needs. Your island and backsplash need outlets, but you don't necessarily want to see them breaking up a beautiful tile design or cabinetry panel. Plan ahead.
by John Lewis
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Kitchen Planning Resolution No. 7: Start recycling
You know that recycling is not hard to do these days, and you want to hand your kids a better planet someday, but maybe you just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Pull-out dual cans are a simple solution, one I design into every kitchen. The recycling can tucks behind the trash can, so you're not taking up any more functional space, I promise! Both cans accept standard-sized trash bags, but I put a reusable grocery bag in my recycle bin, helping to reduce waste even more.
You know that recycling is not hard to do these days, and you want to hand your kids a better planet someday, but maybe you just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Pull-out dual cans are a simple solution, one I design into every kitchen. The recycling can tucks behind the trash can, so you're not taking up any more functional space, I promise! Both cans accept standard-sized trash bags, but I put a reusable grocery bag in my recycle bin, helping to reduce waste even more.
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Kitchen Planning Resolution No. 8: Be prepared for emergencies
No one ever thinks it'll happen to them. Unfortunately, house fires happen all the time, and many start in the kitchen. A small purchase that can sit in the back of a nearby closet and a few minutes of undersanding how to use it can save your home.
More:
Kitchen Tech: Slip Sliding Away
The Well-Concealed Kitchen
Fine Thing: A Wine Fridge Right Where You Want It
No one ever thinks it'll happen to them. Unfortunately, house fires happen all the time, and many start in the kitchen. A small purchase that can sit in the back of a nearby closet and a few minutes of undersanding how to use it can save your home.
More:
Kitchen Tech: Slip Sliding Away
The Well-Concealed Kitchen
Fine Thing: A Wine Fridge Right Where You Want It
Ideabook published on Jan. 2, 2012.
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