First and foremost, function

“Consider how efficient you can be. In terms of how you utilize the area, “According to Gambrel. “When individuals have unlimited space, such as when designing a kitchen in a new home, they believe that more is better. As a result, they increase the space between the island and the countertop. However, this is inefficient.” Cooking and cleaning become more difficult as a result of this mindset, according to Gambrel. Yes, you want your kitchen to seem open, breezy, and inviting, but you don’t want to travel 15 feet from your refrigerator to your stove. But how do you go about doing it?

“It’s preferable to situate the range in a location where they can chat to people while they’re cooking if someone chooses to address their visitors from the adjacent space while cooking.” Someone who imagines oneself spending more time at the sink is in the same boat. “From there, the triangle is designed,” she explains.

While you’re cooking, a low-hanging light fixture will provide the best lighting.

Make Your Life Shine

When upgrading or installing a new kitchen, lighting is one of the most crucial factors to consider. While many people opt for recessed lighting in their kitchens, Gambrel suggests using surface-mount bulbs that are grid-attached to the ceiling: “Because the bulb is lower than the height of the ceiling, the light is more even and less surgical than recessed lighting. It’s also rather lovely.” He also likes putting larger light fixtures above islands, which provides another aesthetic option. Also, keep in mind that cabinetry might prevent light from falling onto your counters. “It’s critical to plan for some under-cabinet illumination,” Roberts says. “Make sure you have a dedicated switch and several power outlets for that.”

Your stove is a show-stopper

Roberts argues, “Your stove is the Gucci handbag of the kitchen,” a contrast we love. “It’s the most well-known and often used appliance.” Both designers agree that if you only replace and enhance one item in your kitchen, it should be your stove. Stoves come in a variety of styles and colors, offering you a wide range of choices (heh, heh). Consider adding a Custom Range Hood, which will aid with ventilation while also making a statement. “If you have a lot of money, you can have one fashioned out of “Bronze or nickel,” Gambrel explains.

“If not, you may buy a hood with your stove and have your contractor create a plaster or stucco frame over it.” It would look fantastic in any kitchen.”

You must consider the environment around your stove in addition to your physical stove. “Having a room on both sides of your range is usually a positive idea because then you can easily contact prep and suppliers,” says the author. Roberts advises.

This brings us to…
Take a look at your counters…
“Countertops should be 24 or 25 inches wide, and it’s better to have a little overhang so that dripping tomato sauce doesn’t end up on your cabinets,” Roberts explains. Countertops are an important aspect of the kitchen, even if they aren’t used, and they should match your style. “It’s excellent to have solid surfacing like Corian,” she explains. “They can be fixed and fitted in such a way that no residual food gets trapped in the seams,” says the expert. When it comes to natural counters, though, Roberts believes that nothing beats marble.

“It wears gently because something is charming about this since it’s just a natural material. In a historic Italian villa kitchen, nothing rivals the grandeur of a hundred-year-old wood countertop. You can see how people have worked on that counter after three centuries.”

…as well as your cabinets

Aren’t cabinets simply cabinets? Wrong! They’re another way to express yourself while also speeding up the cooking process. For instance, you could wish to do away with cabinet doors entirely. “I would prefer to put my plates and serving pieces on open shelves,” adds Gambrel. “I can see everything and make it more elegant that way, as well as organize olive oil and spices more artistically.” An open cabinet, according to Gambrel, may rapidly change the feel of your kitchen, making it more spacious and intriguing.

When you use your range, an exhaust hood will help ventilate the kitchen, which is a critical function.

But what about the bottom cabinets, which are located beneath your counters? Pots and pans should be stored in at least two or three deep drawers, according to Roberts. “If you can pull out a huge stack of arranged pans rather than bending down, reaching behind, and pulling it all out,” she explains, “nothing gets caught in the back.” “It’s simply more convenient to load and unload.” What else may those deep drawers be used for? Garbage and recycling should be kept adjacent to the sink.