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Kitchens have come to serve a variety of functions in modern times that go beyond their primary purpose of storing, preparing and serving food. Nowadays, the kitchen is a place for family gatherings, a study space as well as an entertainment venue. However, for most people, the kitchen preserves its core identity and remains first and foremost an area reserved for food preparation. This is where the action takes place, where chaos and grime from cooking often take over, where dirty dishes are left in the sink after an exhausting day or where pans, pots, bowls and other kitchen paraphernalia are thrown on top of each other and hidden behind closed cabinet doors because you didn’t have time to organize them.
So, the kitchen is probably not the first area of your house you focus on when you’re thinking about showcasing your creativity and interior design skills. But just because your kitchen gets the most wear and tear of all the rooms in the house and functionality is your main concern, doesn’t mean you should ignore its design potential. After all, if you’re going to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it would certainly help to have something nice to look at.
Style and function are not mutually exclusive in the kitchen or any other room. You can have a kitchen that’s perfectly organized and easy to use, without compromising on style or personality. So, here are a few tips that will help you strike a balance between form and function and create a kitchen that ticks all your boxes.
Consider the layout
If you’re planning a new kitchen, it’s important to get the layout right, as this will hang heavily in the balance both in terms of functionality and aesthetics. A good kitchen layout will allow you to make the most of your space and keep everything neat and tidy while also providing visual appeal. There are many different layouts that you can choose from, depending on the space you have available and your specific needs.
However, there are a few layouts that seem to score higher on usability and style. First, we have open-plan kitchens which have become the go-to design option for homeowners in the past years thanks to their spacious feel and versatility. An open plan layout makes your rooms appear bigger, ensures excellent airflow and light, and most importantly facilitates engagement and turns cooking into a more pleasant and sometimes even social activity where everyone gets involved.
Then there’s the single-wall kitchen layout, perfect for smaller spaces, as they are compact and ensure a streamlined design. They also come in a variety of styles that can add aesthetical value to your space. Lastly, the galley kitchen is another popular layout that’s extremely efficient in maximizing space and ensuring a trendy vibe. Any of these layouts can enhance your kitchen’s functionality and make it look great at the same time.
Choose your cabinets wisely
Cabinets play a crucial role in the economy of the space and the way you use your kitchen, while also being the dominant aesthetic feature in the room. Apart from that, they also represent a significant investment, so you have to make sure you’re spending your money wisely.
There’s a wide range of kitchen units available on the market, to suit all tastes and preferences, and that makes the decision-making process a lot more difficult than expected. While many choose simple stock cabinets as they are less expensive, other unit types like shaker-style cabinets with handleless design are growing in popularity due to their high quality, stylish look, and cost-effectiveness. If you want to make the right decision when choosing your kitchen cabinets, make sure you take into account aspects like storage, size and shape, style, finish, fixtures and fittings, and of course price.
Hide appliance cords and power strips
From food processors, blenders and coffee makers to microwave ovens, toasters and dishwashers, the range of modern appliances that make life easier in the kitchen keeps increasing. All these equipment and devices can help you save time and effort, making meal preparation feel like a breeze, so you’ll naturally want to add as many of them as possible to your kitchen.
However, all the cords and power strips they come with don’t make for a pretty sight. Fortunately, there are a few tricks that can help you keep all these annoying cables out of sight. First, you have to choose the right location for your appliances, considering both aesthetics and proximity to power outlets to ensure easy access in case of repairs. Then you can hide your cords behind the cabinets or under a decorative trim. Cable covers are also a good idea if you have long cords traversing your kitchen. Also, a charging drawer can be a great addition to your kitchen, allowing you to charge all your smart devices without any cable chaos.
Conceal appliances
You may be able to hide your cables away but what about all the appliances that are still in plain sight? While some people have no problem with keeping all their kitchen equipment on display, sometimes they can ruin the aesthetics of the space, especially if they are visibly mismatched or not in exactly in the best shape possible.
Since getting rid of them is not an option, you can do the same thing you did with the cords and power strips and conceal them. Obviously, a bit of moulding or decorative trims can’t help in this case, but integrating appliances into your cabinets can provide the solution. That way, you’ll be able to keep all your appliances on hand and use them with ease, while also keeping your countertops clear and ensuring a clean and unified look for your kitchen.
There’s no reason to sacrifice function or style when designing a kitchen. With a bit of planning and a few clever ideas, you can have the best of both worlds under the same roof.
