The kitchen is the heart of the home and some of us live with less than optimum cooking environments. Try the following tips to create a more functional and livable kitchen.
1. Add under cabinet lighting. This will increase the amount of light in the kitchen and make it easier to work at the counter.
2. Add a portable island. Some of you are not yet ready for a full blown kitchen remodel but have the space for another workstation or eating area. Add a portable or free-standing island. This can create a focal point but being in a different material or color than the perimeter cabinetry. It can also create an additional storage component and act as a gathering place or another location for serving buffet style.
3. Switch to a deeper sink. A deep sink will virtually eliminate the splash factor that we see on many kitchen counter tops. Also, by adding a grill to the bottom of the sink, it can act as a drainboard for small items and they will be out view of your guests.
4. De-clutter your counter tops. Store unused items. A busy counter top is less functional and visually uninviting. Try purchasing multi-tasking counter appliances. For instance, a toaster oven is a better solution as you can toast, bake and broil in one appliance. You can also try a magic bullet which can blend, puree, chop, etc., allowing you to clear the blender and food processor off the counter top!
5. When designing a kitchen, always make sure you have "set-off" counter space near an oven, stove top or refrigerator. The worst mistake that people make when renovating is to think only of aesthetics and not function. You need a space on the side of an oven or stove to place a pan when you take it out of the oven. You also need a place to set groceries down as you load them into the refrigerator.
6. Install pullout shelves or pot drawers. Even if you are not ready to renovate, you can still make your existing cabinets more functional. Being able to pull out a drawer allows you to access the items at the back of a cabinet with the same ease as you have in the front.
7. Install a pot filler at the stove. Yes, it seems a luxury item but it is oh so nice to be able to take a large stock pot and fill it with water right at the stove as opposed to lugging the pot from the sink to the cook top. It is also helpful when creating sauces, making risottos and so many other dishes to have the water right there at your fingertips.
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