Thinking about redesigning or remodeling your kitchen? These projects are a fantastic opportunity to include the new elements, colors, and features you’ve always dreamed of having in your kitchen. However, improving this space’s efficiency and practical value can be challenging. To assemble a functional kitchen design in addition to stylish visuals, you’ll want to speak with a professional kitchen designer.
Kitchen Distributors brings 70 years of experience to every custom kitchen project and remodel. With quality cabinetry, luxurious countertops, and tasteful color selections, our team can help you build the kitchen of your dreams. Visit our Aspen, Littleton, or Denver kitchen design showroom to see the Kitchen Distributors difference up close.
1. Identifying Your Workspaces
Many contemporary kitchen design trends prioritize a balance between living areas and functional workspaces. Before construction and installation begin, you’ll want a clear picture of where these workspaces will be and how they can match your cooking habits and lifestyle. Whether you enjoy making complex dishes or cooking with someone else, your custom kitchen designs should include specific tools and features that match how you use this space.
To assemble an efficient workspace, many kitchen designers follow the kitchen triangle layout, which identifies the space between the sink, refrigerator, and stove as the center of the room. Countertops and cabinets that are within reach of the kitchen triangle are essential components of the kitchen’s workspace, as are the three corners of the arrangement. However, not all kitchens follow this rule. In a single-wall setup, the room’s geometry may prevent the design from following this layout. Regardless, differentiating workspace and living space zones is an essential first step for increasing functionality throughout your kitchen.
2. Increasing Storage Space
One of the most commonly requested features for new kitchen builds is more storage space. To follow a minimalist design or keep your kitchen clutter-free, you’ll need to maximize the value of your square footage. If you’re worried about running out of storage for dishes or food items, you might want to avoid open shelving. If you can’t find a home for your smaller appliances, you might want to consider building a pantry closet or cabinet. A professional kitchen designer can ensure your remodeling or rebuilding plans make the most of the space you have on hand.
3. Installing a Double Sink
A new sink with two or three basins rather than one is a small, but impactful upgrade to your kitchen. Single basin designs can make dividing clean-up spaces from food prep areas challenging. With a more expanded design, the sink becomes a more reliable workstation. A drying rack, cutting board, or strainer can be built into this area to increase its functionality. A more industrial (and preferably touchless) faucet also makes it easy to ensure this installation is more versatile without sacrificing any of the room’s visual aesthetics.
Stainless steel is generally the most popular material for kitchen sinks and works well with a variety of styles, including under-mount, drop-in, and farmhouse sinks. However, quartz composite, cast iron, and copper are also popular configurations and might be a better choice in relation to the rest of your design.
4. Mapping Out Power Sources
The way your outlets are spaced throughout your kitchen can play a significant role in how you use your space, particularly when it comes to your countertops and kitchen island. You’ll need to review where you want to use your smaller appliances, such as your coffee machine, blender, or food processor. You’ll also want to think about how you and your family intend to use the kitchen living space outside the primary triangle. You might want room for phone chargers, lighting, or even a TV and a set of speakers, which means you’ll need to think about where the outlets for each of these items will be located.
5. Updating Appliances
The quality of your kitchen’s core appliances can also impact the functionality of the space. A larger oven or refrigerator might be one of your priorities when redesigning or remodeling. An updated dishwasher for your kitchen might include a number of smart features, such as lighting for the interior of the dishwasher or remote controls from the corresponding app. Many modern kitchen designs allow homeowners to set up the outside of the appliances so they match the rest of their custom cabinetry.
6. Optimizing Your Kitchen Lighting
Your light fixtures are important aspects of your kitchen’s functionality and design. You’ll need adequate task lighting for the central workspaces in the kitchen, which often includes most of your countertops, the sink, and the stove. If your space or planned design includes a kitchen island, you’ll likely want a hanging light fixture, which can serve as both central task lighting and a modern or contemporary art feature.
7. Overall Flow
A significant portion of your kitchen’s practical value as both a workstation and a living area comes down to how you move throughout the space. Where are the primary pathways through the kitchen? If someone passes through the room, do they have to step through the central kitchen work triangle or is it easy to go around? Where are the connections between the adjacent hallways and rooms? Improving the general flow of your kitchen can be a substantial project, which means you should consult a professional kitchen designer to discuss your ideas for what the space should look and feel like.
Conclusion- Ways to Increase the Functionality of Your Kitchen
In today’s contemporary kitchens, functionality and durability are just as important as assembling a timeless visual quality for the space. To get the most out of your square footage, build with the best custom materials.
The design team at Kitchen Distributors offers unparalleled quality and expertise when it comes to assembling these spaces and achieving your ideas, from cabinetry and countertops to backsplash tiling and hardware. Visit our Aspen, Littleton, or Denver design showroom to learn more about our process, or schedule a design consultation online today.