The kitchen can make or break a home often because it is the hub of the household. If it doesn’t function well, it can cause major strife. We’ve put together a few tips based on past jobs to help make sure your kitchen remodel brings you as much joy as possible.
Tip 1: Put In Room For Storage
Make sure there is plenty of storage to accommodate current and future needs. Pantries offer functionality and ease of use in everyday life. You can buy in bulk and not have to lug extras up and down steps to the basement. You can organize and have everything at the ready while not having to have things set out on the counter which increases counter space as well as tidiness.
Unique pantry for extra storage.
Read more about the project with a lot of light, an oversized pantry and easy accessibility here.
Another great option for storage and general functionality is an island. It can be an extra cooking/prep space, additional seating to allow people in the kitchen who aren’t cooking, as well as additional storage underneath in the form of cabinets or shelving.
“The kitchen is a focal point for any household that likes to host, and the Rogers home is no exception. At its center is an island, which will add extra storage as well as providing a central space for guests and loved ones to gather around.”
Read more about the island in one of our builds here.
Tip 2: Plan For Use Now And In The Future
Consider how you and your family will use the space. Do you love to cook or entertain? Are you wanting to “age in place” - a term we commonly mention for our clients who build homes suited with features to suit their needs at all stages of life? Or maybe you have special interests that need to be accounted for in the kitchen area such as pets - where to feed them - or extra seating and wine storage as seen in the Heck Project below.
This custom wine rack is a beautiful option for wine storage and takes advantage of a typically unused space.
Accessibility
The Rogers’ home -- a current custom home build client -- is a zero entry floor plan, which means there are no steps into the house. This type of layout is becoming increasingly more popular, especially among people who take an active step towards planning for their future. It’s a smart and convenient option for people who want to stay in their house as they age. As mentioned we often refer to houses that utilize these type of amenities as “aging in place.”
Even if avoiding stairs isn’t a major need at the moment it’s a smart idea if you plan on being in the house for many years. It seems great especially for the long-term, but who can deny the handy luxury of never having to lug a handful of groceries up a few stairs?
You can read more about the project here.
Stay tuned for pictures in a future blog of what is going to be a beautifully designed accessible home!
Tip 3: Don’t Get Caught Up In Trends
The kitchen can set the tone for the style of the house. Here is an example of a contemporary kitchen based on the ideals of minimalism, yet is user friendly, functional, enjoyable, and beautiful.
In the kitchen of the McCarty Project, there are unique Euro-style cabinets. They are a very minimal design with open shelves.
See part of the process for this beautiful kitchen here.
You can’t go wrong with timeless style, it is timeless after all. If you do decide to go trendy, make sure it something that can be updated after the trend has passed. Something such as Rose Gold faucets may not be the answer… Which brings us to our final point.
Enlist the help of professionals early on.
When you decide it is time to move, consider building. You get to “fix” all those problems you lived with in other places as well as plan for the future and make sure you have the space needed to accommodate family, entertaining, hobbies and life. The pros can help you make decisions based on what you have to have, your goals, and your ideas while making it beautiful and functional.
The pros at J.T. Builders are ready for your unique build! You can view other projects and read reviews on Houzz.com, and visit our Facebook page to see what we’re up to and get inspired!