Design Notes
The kitchen is undeniably the most used area of the home, whether it is making the morning coffee before heading out the door, making the kids a snack when they come home, or sharing the day’s events as you make dinner. It is the central hub of the house, and where everyone can just relax. This also means that there is a lot going on, making it important that things have a place and stay there. There is nothing worse than a kitchen that is messy, cluttered, and dysfunctional. We wanted to share some organizational tips and helpful tricks that can help you organize your kitchen.
Stations
The kitchen is a multipurpose space, meaning that cooking, baking, and even drinking are done all within one space. Sometimes, the best thing is to create designated areas that have everything needed to accomplish the task. This means less bumping into one another and more getting done.
- Beverage: Creating a place where the to-go cups, coffee mugs, and sweeteners are all in one place can be the best solution to those early mornings or family gatherings. Consider placing the Coffee maker near the cabinet where the mugs are stored. Even better, how about a unique cabinet created just for that on an easy roll-out drawer?
- Spice rack: When you cook, it is tiring to have to constantly walk around the kitchen looking for that one additional spice before you can finish that meal, not to mention having to wipe your hands before opening the numerous cabinet doors to find what you are looking for. Having the spices all neatly tucked away in a simple roll-out cabinet or on a shelf tucked neatly beside the stove.
- Baking: Cookie sheets, rolling pins, mixing bowls, and cake pans can all be stored together in one area. A tray divider is a great addition to the lower cabinet, while the remaining items can be stored in an upper cabinet. Locate both near the oven, and baking will be much easier.
- Cooking: Pots and pans should be located near the stove and sink to make filling and washing easier. The less distance needed to transport a full pot to the stove, the less mess is likely to happen.
Each station serves a purpose and allows more than one person to be in the kitchen simultaneously, which allows more to be accomplished in the same amount of time.
Storage
There are a lot of things that end up in the kitchen, including larger items such as crockpots, air fryers, and Dutch ovens. These items are useful, but they are heavy and bulky to store. It’s usually best to keep them in a lower cabinet because it is easier to lift them up instead of down. When placing your items in the kitchen, plan on putting lighter ones in the upper cabinets and the bulkier ones in the bottom. Drawers are also a great solution since they allow you to pull everything out to see instead of trying to push things out of the way. Remember that if you rarely use an item, it can be stored in the pantry or even the garage, freeing up space for items used regularly. Talk to your designer about what you have and what is a must in the kitchen. They can help you find the storage solutions specific to your needs.
Space
One way a kitchen can be made to feel disorganized is through clutter. Since so much takes place in the kitchen, it’s easy for this space to become the homework station, office, and craft room. Keeping a designated drawer or specific area for these items will keep the kitchen area more organized. It is, however, essential that the kitchen stay as intended. If a little writing area is needed, make sure to include a space for a small desk in your design or double-sticker drawers for more storage.
We use it every day but hardly pay any attention to it, yet it can impact the overall design of the home. We are, of course, referring to your flooring, and its importance should not be overlooked or underestimated. It is the largest design element in the home, which means it tends to serve as the foundation of the look and feel in the room. It has the ability to make or break your space and is subconsciously the first thing we notice in a room. Since it is used consistently, it must be durable and functional for the particular area, whether slip-resistant or waterproof. Flooring should also complement the overall design style you choose and be carefully considered before finalizing your choice. Here are some aspects to remember when making your selection.
The kitchen backsplash tends to be overlooked during the planning session for a renovation, but it has a big impact on the overall look of the design, and it should not be underestimated. To many, it may seem like such a small element, but it has the power to bring style, class, and protection to the heart of the home. When walking through a model home or flipping pages in an interior design magazine, the kitchen always has a backsplash that often draws our eye. Coming in multiple sizes, styles, and shades, the kitchen backsplash has come a long way from being a simple surface to creating a glamorous highlight that immediately draws the eye.
Walker WoodworkingThis deficiency has led to a readjustment of space, a call to renovate the home, and to provide a more functional design for everyone. There are also other reasons motivating homeowners to reevaluate their current living situation, such as greater flexibility at home, an open concept, personal space, and plenty of storage. While kitchens and bathrooms are still among the most renovated areas in the home, new emphasis is being placed on four additional sections in the home, which we want to highlight today.
Walker WoodworkingYou love your home, but there are some areas that are no longer working for you, if they ever did at all. You have made the big decision to renovate your kitchen, to give yourself the space you have always envisioned, but it feels overwhelming. How do you know which layout will work best for you? Which style best represents you, and what wood type will pair perfectly with certain colors? The kitchen can be a more difficult renovation because it involves multiple facets, such as plumbing and electrical. Adding in the appliances, lighting, and cabinets decisions can be enough to make your head spin. Planning is a critical part of a kitchen renovation, making it a key area of focus, which is why an experienced designer can help you accomplish your dreams on time and on budget.
James Martin Vanities has not disappointed us but provided many of our clients with a bathroom vanity that suited their unique needs, and the shorter lead times have allowed them to get the upgrades they needed within their timeframe. Our goal will always remain to provide our clients with the best possible products that fit their project, whether that is a custom, semi-custom, or predone option like the James Martin Vanity. We are here to assist you in finding the vanity that works for you, which is why we offer a variety of options. Are you ready for a change? Come visit our showroom where we have multiple vanities available for you to browse, and if you like one, you can take it home with you.
Greenbrook Design
Greenbrook Design