As the hub of your home, your kitchen is an important place for meals, gatherings, and entertaining guests. If it’s been a while since you’ve updated this room, or it’s been the same since you bought your home ages ago, redesigning it can breathe new life into your home.
Before redesigning it, kitchen designers in LA recommend you know a few things before making any changes.
You Need a Work Triangle
The work triangle creates functionality in your kitchen by minimizing the walking distance between the refrigerator, sink, and cooking area. Comfort and safety should always be factored into the work triangle, especially if you plan on having two or more people cooking at the same time. If your kitchen lacks a proper work triangle layout, redesigning it to include this feature will be an important consideration.
Plan on Wide Walkways
Your kitchen floor plan should always have enough room for everyone to get through. The minimum width of a path should be 36 inches, but in the cooking zone, it should be at least 42 inches wide.
Traffic flow is important for comfort, convenience, and safety in your home. If your kitchen allows the flow of traffic through the kitchen into an adjacent room, the range shouldn’t be in this path. You may want to consider adding a kitchen island to have a separate working area that can also double as seating. You can then have family and friends linger nearby without them getting in the way.
Countertops Are an Important Consideration
The more countertop space you have, the easier it will be to prepare your meals. You may want to consider two countertop heights if you have children to make it easier for them to get involved. You should also consider having a landing space near your appliances that allow you to place hot items right from the oven. A good rule of thumb for countertops is to have at least 15 inches of space on each side of the cooktop, refrigerator, and oven.
Create a Focal Point
With the help of an interior designer, you can create a focal point for your kitchen to add some pizzazz. A stylish backsplash, a beautiful range hood, patterned countertops, or even open shelving are all excellent options that may suit your layout.
Don’t Forget About Storage
Cluttered countertops can make even the largest kitchen feel cramped. Cabinetry and shelving can give everything a proper place. Do you have charming kitchen items you want to display, or would you prefer to have everything tucked away? Even combining a little of both options is perfectly fine. However, you’ll want to ensure you have the space you need to host all of your kitchen essentials.
Choose Your Appliances First
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when redesigning the kitchen is considering the appliances last. You’ll want to pick them first and ensure they fit the new layout design before deciding on countertops and cabinetry.
Start making a wish list of what you want to see in your new kitchen. An interior designer can help bring your wishlist to life.