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5 Key Kitchen Upgrades That Designers Recommend
These updates can help you get your kitchen ready for the holiday season and beyond
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Decorating gingerbread cookies. Prepping the perfect roast. Sipping homemade hot cocoa as carols play. “Home activities are at an all-time high during the most wonderful time of the year,” designer Kerrie Kelly says, and many of them center around the kitchen. With this in mind, getting your cooking space ready for holiday feasting and festivities is key. Kelly and designer Meg Fontaine share recommendations that will help you bring extra style, function and good cheer to your kitchen this holiday season.
Blackthorne downlight pendant by Park Harbor
1. New Lighting
Brighten your kitchen with joyful style — and help ensure cookie icing perfection — with updated illumination. “It can provide a fresh new look for the hub of the home while helping make food preparation easy and safe,” says Kelly, who owns Kerrie Kelly Design Lab in Sacramento, California. “Ceiling fixtures, pendants, chandeliers, can lights and undercabinet lighting on dimmers can provide the ideal layered lighting scheme.”
Fontaine, who owns Fontaine Interiors in Stratham, New Hampshire, recommends classic, simple designs in finishes such as matte black or brushed gold, like the pendants seen here. Twinkly glass fixtures are also a favorite, as are LED bulbs. “They really brighten up a space and change the ambiance,” Fontaine says. She notes that updating light fixtures often can be done within a day.
1. New Lighting
Brighten your kitchen with joyful style — and help ensure cookie icing perfection — with updated illumination. “It can provide a fresh new look for the hub of the home while helping make food preparation easy and safe,” says Kelly, who owns Kerrie Kelly Design Lab in Sacramento, California. “Ceiling fixtures, pendants, chandeliers, can lights and undercabinet lighting on dimmers can provide the ideal layered lighting scheme.”
Fontaine, who owns Fontaine Interiors in Stratham, New Hampshire, recommends classic, simple designs in finishes such as matte black or brushed gold, like the pendants seen here. Twinkly glass fixtures are also a favorite, as are LED bulbs. “They really brighten up a space and change the ambiance,” Fontaine says. She notes that updating light fixtures often can be done within a day.
Solna pullout spray faucet by Brizo
2. An Innovative Faucet
Whether you’re washing veggies or cleaning up after a Thanksgiving cookathon, a hardworking faucet is a boon. “We’re seeing a lot of commercial-style faucets with extendable hoses,” Fontaine says. She suggests choosing matte black or brushed nickel for a timeless look that goes with everything.
Both Fontaine and Kelly also like touchless faucets, which are especially useful when your hands are full. “Hands-free voice activation can turn your faucet on and off, warm the water, dispense a metered amount or fill custom containers like your holiday coffeepot,” Kelly says. “Not to mention, it is one less fixture to touch in the kitchen when sanitization is so important.” A plumber can change out your kitchen faucet in a couple of hours.
2. An Innovative Faucet
Whether you’re washing veggies or cleaning up after a Thanksgiving cookathon, a hardworking faucet is a boon. “We’re seeing a lot of commercial-style faucets with extendable hoses,” Fontaine says. She suggests choosing matte black or brushed nickel for a timeless look that goes with everything.
Both Fontaine and Kelly also like touchless faucets, which are especially useful when your hands are full. “Hands-free voice activation can turn your faucet on and off, warm the water, dispense a metered amount or fill custom containers like your holiday coffeepot,” Kelly says. “Not to mention, it is one less fixture to touch in the kitchen when sanitization is so important.” A plumber can change out your kitchen faucet in a couple of hours.
Professional dual-fuel range by GE
3. Updated Cooking Appliances
With all the holiday roasting and baking on the horizon, it’s good to check your appliances and replace any that are on the fritz. For starters, you’ll want a dependable convection oven, Fontaine says. Slide-in ranges, such as this black-and-stainless dual-fuel one, are also popular. “Combi steam ovens and induction cooktops are good too,” she says. Think about how you like to cook and how many people you generally host to help you decide.
If you live in a region where outdoor cooking is a possibility, Kelly recommends investing in a grill with a rotisserie for juicy, tender meats. “Rotisserie is the perfect way to cook that holiday meal,” she says. “If you choose not to use the rotisserie feature, you can still grill veggies, seafood — lobster for New Year’s! — and steaks.” An outdoor grill also helps alleviate kitchen traffic jams and gives the chef a breath of fresh air.
3. Updated Cooking Appliances
With all the holiday roasting and baking on the horizon, it’s good to check your appliances and replace any that are on the fritz. For starters, you’ll want a dependable convection oven, Fontaine says. Slide-in ranges, such as this black-and-stainless dual-fuel one, are also popular. “Combi steam ovens and induction cooktops are good too,” she says. Think about how you like to cook and how many people you generally host to help you decide.
If you live in a region where outdoor cooking is a possibility, Kelly recommends investing in a grill with a rotisserie for juicy, tender meats. “Rotisserie is the perfect way to cook that holiday meal,” she says. “If you choose not to use the rotisserie feature, you can still grill veggies, seafood — lobster for New Year’s! — and steaks.” An outdoor grill also helps alleviate kitchen traffic jams and gives the chef a breath of fresh air.
Rise coffee system by JennAir
4. A Dedicated Coffee Station
Menus to plan, ingredients to buy, decorations to arrange, presents to wrap — the holidays definitely call for a bolstering cup of coffee (or two, or three). Treat yourself and your guests to a coffee station to stay fueled. “An in-wall espresso machine can elevate the breakfast experience and eliminate the need to run to the coffee shop for specialty drinks when the family is enjoying special moments,” Kelly says. She suggests getting one with handy features such as a built-in bean grinder and milk frother.
“If you have suitable cabinet vacancy available, you could be drinking your first in-home Americano this afternoon,” Kelly says. “Many models offer water reservoirs, so plumbing isn’t necessary.” Fontaine says of coffee systems, “They’re pretty rad if you have the budget.”
4. A Dedicated Coffee Station
Menus to plan, ingredients to buy, decorations to arrange, presents to wrap — the holidays definitely call for a bolstering cup of coffee (or two, or three). Treat yourself and your guests to a coffee station to stay fueled. “An in-wall espresso machine can elevate the breakfast experience and eliminate the need to run to the coffee shop for specialty drinks when the family is enjoying special moments,” Kelly says. She suggests getting one with handy features such as a built-in bean grinder and milk frother.
“If you have suitable cabinet vacancy available, you could be drinking your first in-home Americano this afternoon,” Kelly says. “Many models offer water reservoirs, so plumbing isn’t necessary.” Fontaine says of coffee systems, “They’re pretty rad if you have the budget.”
Freedom wine cooler by Thermador
5. A Wine Cooler
Bring the bar to you with a sleek wine cooler that keeps all your bottles at the perfect temperature. “Wine fridges are a big deal right now,” Fontaine says. You can also store sparkling water, cider and beer in one, she adds. Either slide the unit into your cabinetry run or go with a paneled version for an integrated look.
Get extra fancy with a built-in wine dispenser. “It allows homeowners and their guests to enjoy a restaurant experience at home,” Kelly says. “Whether holiday guests desire a taste, half glass or full glass, the right wine at the right temperature and right amount dispenses with the touch of a finger.” Cheers to that!
Want styling advice? Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, which has showrooms across the country, is ready to assist with both virtual and in-store appointments at select locations to help you find just what you need. Learn more about these styling sessions and book yours on Ferguson’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
5. A Wine Cooler
Bring the bar to you with a sleek wine cooler that keeps all your bottles at the perfect temperature. “Wine fridges are a big deal right now,” Fontaine says. You can also store sparkling water, cider and beer in one, she adds. Either slide the unit into your cabinetry run or go with a paneled version for an integrated look.
Get extra fancy with a built-in wine dispenser. “It allows homeowners and their guests to enjoy a restaurant experience at home,” Kelly says. “Whether holiday guests desire a taste, half glass or full glass, the right wine at the right temperature and right amount dispenses with the touch of a finger.” Cheers to that!
Want styling advice? Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, which has showrooms across the country, is ready to assist with both virtual and in-store appointments at select locations to help you find just what you need. Learn more about these styling sessions and book yours on Ferguson’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
CREATING THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS IS AN EXCITING PROCESS, AND WE HELP KEEP IT THAT WAY.
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CREATING THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS IS AN EXCITING PROCESS, AND WE HELP KEEP IT THAT WAY.
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Be sure to clean reservoirs in coffee makers that have them. It's surprisingly easy for green algae to deveop.
I love the semi-commercial-looking faucet I finally settled on. A lot of those faucets have an open coil instead of something relatively solid. I can't imagine how people keep those things clean.
Keeping mine clean is a breeze with my hand-held steamer which I also use on my blacksplash, counters, sink, etc. Then too, a hot soapy washcloth daily keeps the dust and grease of cooking at bay. It's never a problem, really!