Everyone knows that the kitchen is the heart of the home. If you have a busy family, though, you know the kitchen is so much more than where food is prepared. The kitchen is a homework zone, snack spot, congregating space and general multi-purpose room. With so many uses, it’s easy for these kitchens to look and feel overwhelmed. Our experts at Schloegel Design Remodel are on deck with design and remodeling options to help active families get the most they can from their kitchen.
Optimize Design
An open kitchen plan is a must for busy families. Eliminating any unnecessary barriers, like walls and doors, will not only make it easier for you to help with homework while getting dinner ready, but it will also open up your space to make it feel bigger.
Also essential for involved families are dedicated spaces for both food preparation and congregating. Installing an island in your kitchen will give you added counter space, storage, and flexibility. A breakfast bar or kitchen nook will invite kids to snack and spend time with you without overcrowding the space. Not to mention, clean up is always easier when your sink and dishwasher are just a few feet away.
Storage, Storage, Storage
It’s no secret that kitchen storage is essential for families with full schedules.
When remodeling your kitchen, make sure to designate a good amount space to consumables and pantry items near where you prepare food. This cuts down on having to run around the kitchen looking for a certain spice. While having a walk-in pantry is ideal, vertical pullout shelves that take advantage of height are a great option for kitchens that don’t have ample square footage. Cabinet drawers and shelves that fully extend make it easier to not only find your items but also to store them. You can customize the drawers or cabinets with shallow shelving, baskets and spinning racks. Open shelving can also provide for plenty of wall storage while making it easy to reach commonly used items.
Additionally, parents can designate “kid cabinets” for things like school supplies, crafts or even snacks and goodies children can access on their own.
Easy cleaning
With work, school, play dates and extracurricular activities, the last thing you want to do is spend much time cleaning up at the end of the day. That’s why it’s so important to choose kitchen surfaces that are both durable and low maintenance.
Stains and spills are no match for non-porous counter surfaces like quartz, granite, and stainless steel, so a simple wipe-down will usually suffice for a quick clean. By switching to a material like quartz or granite, though, you don’t need to worry about placing down hot pots, abrasive pads or damage from a serrated knife. This means fewer dishes and greater use of your counter space. Both materials also come in a variety of colors and patterns, ensuring they would compliment any design.
Backsplash and cabinets should also be easy to clean. After all, they get dirty, too. For the backsplash, consider a quartz or stone slab. Slab-front cabinets are easy to wipe off, while Shaker style is also low maintenance and blends well with any kitchen aesthetic.
Upgraded appliances
Long gone are the days of a simple two-door refrigerator, which is definitely something to be celebrated if your days and evenings are full. Whether your family enjoys take-out or homemade meals, having a refrigerator that’s designed for you can make a huge difference in your kitchen. Door-in-door shelving lets you grab frequently used condiments or beverages without going through the rest of the refrigerator, or even opening up the entire door. Moveable refrigerator shelving and drawers help you further customize the appliance for your family’s needs. If you’re an ace at making food to save, consider a refrigerator that comes with added freezer space and shelving.
Besides picking the perfect refrigerator, other appliances can also help you save time in the kitchen. Some dishwashers come with shelves that can be moved to help you wash larger items. Additionally, you may want to consider installing a convection oven, which can work both as a microwave and a fast-speed oven.
Functional flooring
A busy family needs a floor that can hold its own against soccer cleats and spilled milk, so flooring is a crucial consideration during your kitchen redesign.
Stone and tile are excellent for high-traffic areas and are generally easy to clean. Wood is always a popular choice that never goes out of style. Today’s pre-finished wood options are water resistant, low maintenance and are also good for foot traffic. Cork is an eco-friendly option that’s gaining popularity. It feels good underfoot, and impacts are softer. Because cork is porous, though, cleaning it isn’t always as simple as using a broom and mop.
Your Schloegel kitchen remodeling contractor will work with you to make sure whatever you pick is right for your family. Visit our Kitchen Gallery for design inspiration today!
[code-snippet name=”disable-blog-feature-image”]