While technology can pose an image of cold and uninviting, a modern kitchen embraces state-of-the-art innovation with classic design ideas – clean lines, clear countertops, bold colors, contrasting design elements, and simple shapes. A modern kitchen can be both a technologically advanced and warm and inviting space.
It is essential to identify your kitchen needs before making an investment. Give special emphasis to cabinets, counter areas and space for movement to create an ideal plan for your kitchen. For example, some families prefer to set up their dining table in the main kitchen area, while others may use a low-height wall barrier or breakfast bar to separate the kitchen space from the dining area.
In the former, depending on the space available, a full size dining table may be quite an obstruction, in which case smaller table may be needed. It is quite important to bear this kind of point in mind when planning your kitchen.
Think about what tasks you do in the kitchen. If you have a dishwasher then this cuts down some of the considerations. If you don’t then is it best to have the cutlery drawer near the sink, rather than the other side of the room?
For cooking, you’ll want easy access to the main ingredients, as well as knives, spices and utensils. What works well for you at the moment and what doesn’t? Smart arrangement of these small things not only makes them easily accessible, but also brings about a huge difference in the overall look and feel of your kitchen. Purge drawers and cabinets of items that are not a part of the routine kitchen tasks. You might find some pieces of cookware that have not been needed for months, If that is the case then it might be better to keep them in a separate place for rarely used items rather than them being in the way of pots and pans etc that are used regularly.
Appliances in your new kitchen need not be the most recent release from a major appliance company if you do not require them. While having the fancy new refrigerator or the hottest new 5 burner cook top may be nice, does it fit into your overall decorating scheme and budget?
Use this checklist for the appliances you have or might need to replace:
Oven Microwave Dishwasher Wine Cooler
Hood Refrigerator Washer / Dryer Waste Disposal
Cook top Freezer Coffee Machine Instant Hot Water Tap
Sink and Tap Fireplace / Hob Wet Bar Blender, Food Processor
Furniture in a modern kitchen should be simple in shape, multi-functional, and bold in color. Modern kitchen furniture will not include carved legs, multi-colored patterned cushions, or seats made of many parts. Modern style by definition means full of straight line and not a lot of fuss.
Modern décor means little to no art work is required for a modern kitchen design. The decoration is the furniture and cabinetry and it’s typically limited to a one or two color scheme. A one color scheme means everything, cabinets, furniture, and appliances, is a single color. A two color scheme is one in which the walls and cabinets are one color but the appliances and furniture are a second color, usually a highly contrasting color.
Remodeling Benefits
What’s the primary benefit you might derive from a new kitchen?
1. Functionality – add a walk-in pantry, re-design counter space, and make room for your laptop and printer – anything that complements your lifestyle.
2. Interaction – open up your kitchen to the other adjoining rooms, a new island can be a comfortable place for early morning coffee chats and late evening wine tasting.
3. Safety – reduce risks of accidents and make your much-used room safe. Modify countertop heights to reduce back strain and use green materials to improve indoor air quality.
4. Storage – a well-designed kitchen remodel can greatly increase your storage space and ability to keep organized.
5. Entertaining – enjoy the fun of entertaining people in your new space.
6. Resale – According to realtors, the kitchen and bath are the most important rooms in the house to potential buyers. Reports show that a kitchen remodel can return up to 85% of its cost upon resale.
7. Style – it’s all about you and the beautiful things you appreciate. Make your kitchen a happy place to spend time.
Whether it’s a few touches or a complete new kitchen, you can create a modern kitchen successfully as long as you express your personal style and the space makes you happy.