The kitchen area is really the heart of the home– and when the heart is off, absolutely nothing else can grow. Interior designers know this much better than anybody else since it’s actually their job to develop areas that stabilize type and function in a way that makes the most sense for the people utilizing them.
Whether you’re about to gut your kitchen area or you’re simply hoping to give it a refresh, keep these elements in mind because they’re the ones designers see.
Lighting
Lighting affects the way you take a look at whatever, so it’s no surprise that this was one of the most popular reactions. “Kitchen lighting ought to not be harsh,” says Liz Williams, founder of her namesake interior design firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Rather, it’s recommended by Laura Williams, creator of ATX Interior Design in Austin, Texas, that you use a mix of oversized pendants, sconces, recessed lighting, and countertop lights.
An idea from Bailey Ward, creator of her namesake interior design company in Atlanta, Georgia: “Put all kitchen area lighting on dimmers so you can change lighting throughout the day as natural lighting comes and goes.”
Finishes
Interior designers wouldn’t do what they do if they didn’t discover the surfaces in your kitchen area. Williams notes it’s less about individual taste and more about how the aspects match each other. For instance, “Are the boundary and island cabinet colors dealing with the counter tops, backsplash, and wall colors?”
Mess
We’ve all fallen victim to counter top mess at one point or another. Whether it’s because of small home appliances, stacks of mail, or (more than likely) a mix of the 2 and more, nearly every designer called this visual eyesore and subconscious stressor.
Little devices are frequently a required evil for the counters, and if this holds true for you, Williams advises you “consider their color and design so they blend in perfectly in your kitchen area.” Bethany Adams, creator of her namesake interior design company in Louisville, Kentucky, motivates a European approach to food shopping (more corner market than Costco) to trim down storage requirements.
If all else stops working, it’s time to work with an organizer, due to the fact that as Ward says: “Clear counters enable the very best kind of messes to be made, like baking cupcakes with your children.”
Cabinets
Cabinets make up a majority of any cooking area, suggesting they’re bound to get some attention from anyone, and designers even more so. Lauren Sullivan, founder of Well x Design in Kingsport, Tennessee “constantly notifications when kitchen area cabinetry does not extend all the way to the ceiling.” This wastes valuable space and makes them dust magnets.
In the middle of a reno? Katharine Rhudy, founder of Reed & Acanthus in New Orleans, Louisiana, recommends working with kitchen cabinet designers to come up with imaginative and hassle-free ways to take full advantage of storage and appliances.
Vent Hoods
Shelby Van Daley, co-founder of Daley Home in Austin, Texas, has a watchful eye for small vent hoods. “Your vent hood is a great focal point, but when the hood is undersized, it can actually be a missed out on chance,” she states. Her guideline is that your hood must extend past your variety or cooktop by 4-6 inches or 2-3 inches on each side.
Functionality
Does each location make sense? What changes can make the area feel more practical, tidy, and organized, for both the day-to-day residents and visitors?
” Something as easy as a Rev-A-Shelf utensil pullout in the cabinet or the position of outlets hidden under the island can make all the difference in a kitchen area’s beauty,” she continues.
Character
Regardless of whether your kitchen area is nice and glossy or has some wear and tear, designers say it’s not implied to remain a blank slate. “I am all for a classic white kitchen area, however each space needs to have its own character,” describes Ward. Her preferred methods to dress up a cooking area consist of art, enjoyable cookbooks, a pretty spoon rest, unique fruit bowls, and ornamental tea towels.
