When designing and building the kitchen of your dreams, you likely focus on big decisions such as the layout, materials, colors and appliances. After all, these things can make or break the look of your kitchen. A well-designed kitchen, however, is all about the details, especially those that you won’t notice at all, especially if done right. The small, subtle ones might seem insignificant, but these can impact the beauty and functionality of your kitchen space.
Here’s how to incorporate these tiny details in your kitchen renovation.
Light up Your Cabinets for Easy Access
In the past, each shelf had to be glass to light the interior of a wall cabinet. The light source usually came from the top of the cabinet and needed to penetrate the shelves to brighten up those below. As such, the farther away the light source, the dimmer the shelf, making it difficult to access. These days, however, lighting technology has dramatically improved. Many kitchen contractors nowadays install an light-emitting diode (LED) lighting strip on both sides of the cabinet. This way, each shelf can glow.
Consider Kitchen Island Functionality
While kitchen islands are not exactly “small details” in kitchen remodels, many homeowners usually prioritize appearance and size over functionality. When deciding on an island design with your kitchen remodeling contractor, be sure to consider your household’s unique needs. If you live a busy lifestyle, for instance, you should choose an island with an overhang and stools or bar chairs to allow you to eat a quick breakfast in the morning. If you enjoy having friends and family over, try including your range on your island, and place it across from the seating so you can face your guests while cooking.
Pantry With Pullouts and Rollouts
Pullout cabinets and cabinets with rollout shelves help increase the functionality of your kitchen pantry. The recommended dimensions for the former should be only 9, 12 or 15 inches wide – anything more than that and the pantry will be too heavy to pull out. Rollout shelves, meanwhile, are your best bet if your pantry cabinet is wider than 15 inches. With this, you only have to pull out the shelf you need and not the entire pantry.
Establish Kitchen Zones Clearly
The kitchen is one of the most heavily used rooms in your home. Without a proper layout, it can be a hectic and frustrating place. For this reason, you need to establish the zones clearly. In general, there should be five zones in your kitchen:
- The consumable zone with the refrigerator and food cupboards
- The preparation zone with countertops and/or kitchen island
- The non-consumable zone with cupboards and drawers where you store utensils and cutlery
- The cooking zone with the stovetop and microwave
- The cleaning zone with your sink and/or dishwasher.
When you turn to JLR Home Renovation, you can be sure that your home gets the attention it deserves. Our team of experienced remodelers are experts in kitchen, bath and basement remodeling, as well as siding, window and door installations. Call us today at (717) 361-6175, or fill out our online contact form to request a free estimate. We proudly serve homeowners in Elizabethtown, Hummelstown and Hershey, PA.
