8 steps to a more functional kitchen
A kitchen is often the most utilized room in a house . Meals may be prepared , cooked and often eaten in kitchens , and the room is often utilized as a homework spot or a makeshift place to pay bills and stay on top of household needs . By enhancing the organization and functionality of the kitchen , homeowners can enjoy these popular spaces even more .
Homeowners have increased their spending on home improvements in recent years . According to the Joint Center for Housing Centers for Harvard University , project spending rose to $ 472 billion in 2022 from $ 328 billion in 2019 . It ’ s estimated consumers will have spent $ 485 billion by the end of 2023 . Kitchen renovations were the most popular upgrade and accounted for the highest budgets in 2021 , according to Houzz . When the time comes to renovate a kitchen , homeowners can take steps to make these spaces more organized and therefore functional . Here are eight tips to creating a more functional kitchen .
1
Increase storage , and then invest in more . Make the most of corner cabinets and other potential dead spots in a kitchen . Various products can be used to organize awkwardly angled or shaped areas . Kitchen designers also can work with you to reconfigure cabinets and kitchen layouts .
2
Organize utensils and dishes around the sink / dishwasher . Rather than traversing the kitchen to put clean dishes away , make loading and unloading the dishwasher that much easier by locating commonly used items next to and above it . Similarly , place frequently used saucepans , baking dishes and other items near the oven or food preparation area .
3
Utilize drawer and cabinet organizers . Make a place for everything in the kitchen . Take out all items and see what you need and use all the time . Then coordinate storage around those items so everything fits perfectly . Pull-out shelves and Lazy Susans also can facilitate access .
4
Add shelves to cabinets . If you can afford to have a custom-built kitchen , by all means design cabinets according to preference . If you ’ re using standard cabinets , you may have to reconfigure shelves and spacing to fit the items you have . This also will help you maximize cabinet space .
5
Organize the garbage . Have a pull-out drawer or cabinet to store trash bins . Separate compost , trash and recycling needs .
6
Create continuity in the room . Many open concept homes will have kitchens open up to another room in the home . Mirror the design scheme from
elsewhere in the house , and make sure that the flow between spaces is not obstructed .
7
Create a beverage station . A beverage station can minimize the time needed to make a cup of tea or coffee or for the kids to grab juice or chocolate milk .
8
Have a workspace in the kitchen . Whether paying bills , making a grocery list or leaving notes for the family , a dedicated workspace can add more function to the room . Be sure there is task lighting nearby and ample overhead lighting to ensure that all kitchen needs are illuminated properly .
A more functional kitchen can make this already popular space even more so .
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