The kitchen is the “Heart of the Home” where we create delicious meals, the “Epicentre” where we start and end our day and the “Family Hub” where we make memories with our family and friends.  It is the most lived-in space in any home, so its functionality, durability, and comfort are of the utmost importance. Kitchen renovations are not only for the aesthetic, but also for storage and functionality within your home.  Raise your hand if this is you: your kitchen seems to always be a mess and there’s never enough places to put things! There is nothing more frustrating than spending ten minutes looking for that one thing you need. If you raised your hand…it may be time for a kitchen renovation.  Here are some kitchen design ideas that will decrease clutter, take the stress of searching and change the way you view your kitchen!

Productive workflow

Preparing meals can be a long and daunting task at times but having a productive workspace that flows will make cooking a lot easier. Make your kitchen renovation work for you with these simple solutions that can add value to your kitchen while allowing you to work efficiently:.  

• The placement of your appliances and outlets around your working area
• A water supply such as an instant hot water faucet
• A disposable bin one arm’s length from your food preparation surface

Organization and Storage

Deep drawers: a must-have to easily stack and manage your pots and pans for quick access.  But have you thought about other ways to incorporate drawers into your kitchen renovation?  Sometimes you need a face on your upper cupboards to balance out the visual symmetry of a kitchen. Drawers can be far more functional than shelves, which is why we love drawers that look like cupboards – like these from Pinterest. Perfect for spices, bottles, cans and dry goods, these spaces add a lot of storage, while providing the symmetry visually. 

Pull out-shelves: make it easy to reach the items at the back of the cupboard meaning no space is inaccessible or wasted.

Adjustable, open shelves that are easy to reach and accommodate different heights. 

Sink tilt-drawer: almost every kitchen has a faux panel at the front of a sink to hide the sink basin, but we love to take function to the next level. We love this tilt drawer from The Hardware Hut; the perfect location to keep your kitchen sponge, scrub brush, steel wool or dishcloth, with convenient access and no visual clutter. 

Toekick storage: have you ever thought about the wasted storage space under your base cabinets? It’s 4 inches of height that isn’t being used at all! This toe kick storage idea from Driven By Decor, is brilliant. It is the perfect place to store serving dishes that are infrequently used, kid’s craft supplies, or even the dog’s bowls! What would you do with all that extra storage space?

Appliance garage:  it may be handy to have appliance items out on the counter all the time, but let’s face it, they aren’t always nice to look at and clutter your counters, reducing your food preparation space.  We’ve probably mentioned this before (once or twice), but we love appliance garages! Check out this one from Medallion Cabinetry, the perfect way to keep that counter clutter to a minimum while never having to drag out a coffee pot, mix master or toaster ever again! Talk about ideal!

Convenience cupboard: you’ve probably heard of an appliance garage before, but have you ever heard of a “convenience cupboard”? It is essentially an oversized appliance garage! The doors tuck beside the body of the cabinet, providing a cavity that is deep enough for your coffee machine, microwave and other odds and ends. The nice thing about this is that you can keep it open if you please and close it up when you want it out of sight. Ingenious.

Durable materials

Your kitchen sees a lot of action, so it should be built with durable & sustainable materials. Those 20-year-old chips on your cabinets or that broken cupboard that never closes properly – are reminders that it might be time to renovate, as you want your kitchen to last through all that action! Things to consider:

• Materials that are stain-resistant for spaghetti night
• Water-resistant around the sink, fade-resistant to prevent sun damage
• Soft-close cupboards to prevent the dreaded slam

Lighting

A well-lit space that brings joy, happiness, and a lot of energy. Both natural and ambient lighting can change the entire feel of a kitchen. Maximize natural light with bigger windows around your kitchen, or a skylight to allow daylight to pour in.  At night when the kitchen gets busy again, under-cabinet lighting and ambient light fixtures bring visibility and a warm feeling to your space.

A reflection of you

Cookie-cutters are for baking, not for kitchen designs.  No family is the same, and no kitchen should be either. No matter what your lifestyle is, your kitchen should reflect your personal taste and style while meeting all your wants and needs!  At Woolrich we take the time to understand you and help you bring your vision to life.  Our fully integrated in-house team will be with you throughout your renovation and construction journey.  Our consultative planning process, complete with 3D renderings, is well worth time and investment and  will ensure that all the details have been considered when remodeling the heart of your home. When you are ready to re-think your kitchen, we will be pleased to help!