Design Tips for Your Dream Kitchen

These design tips for your dream kitchen were given to me by a very nice woman. I have added a few details to this list gathered from my own experience while designing my dream home.

“The details are not the details.  They make the design,” Charles Eames

It is the little details that set a custom design apart from “the cookie cutter” variety home.  But often it is the details that make a kitchen function to its full capacity.

8 Design Tips for Your Dream Kitchen

Tip #1 Put lights under the cabinets.

They make it so much easier to see. Plus, you can use them as night lights.  I always leave these on when we have overnight guests.  Since I now need reading glasses for so many tasks in the kitchen, I find good lighting is especially necessary.

I prefer cabinets to go to the ceiling.  This helps eliminate the dust issue and cluttered decorating that we did in the 90’s. Storage that is too high to reach without a step-ladder is still storage.

Tip # 2 Make sure there is plenty of light directly over the sink.

Even if you have good lighting for the entire kitchen, you can always use extra light over the sink.

Tip #3 Install a Double Sink

Put in double sinks with one side a deep sink. The deep side is very handy for big pots.  I put a large single deep sink in the laundry room.  But it’s convenient to have one in the kitchen too.  A single sink can be a problem if you install a garbage disposal in it.  Then you have the problem of scraps in with your dishes.

Tips #4 Appliance Choices

This design tip tends to be more personal.Think about double ovens. I am glad I installed these, especially when people show-up with dishes that need to be heated or I have a large baking project.  It’s my opinion that self-cleaning ovens are a necessity. If you might not live here forever, think about resale.  I also have 2 refrigerators, but one is in the garage.  I should’ve installed a water line for that one.  Sometimes we run out of ice in the summer.  I purchased mine before they came out with the double-door opening.  I can see the advantage of the wide shelves for the large trays and dishes. I also had 2 disposal installed since I had two sinks.

Tip #5 Plan a Big Pantry

This is a design tip that I had to learn the hard way. I wish my pantry was a walk-in. OOPS! It’s pretty big though. If you have a rural home, it is especially useful to have space for keeping a well-stocked supply of foods to get through at least a week.   It’s also nice to have a place to store extra small appliances hat are not used every day. This will help to keep your counter tops clear for work-space.

Tip #6 Plan Extra Electrical Outlets

If you design a kitchen island, be sure to put electrical outlets in it. I am thankful I did. You can never have too many outlets.  I would also put in at least two outlets, in the kitchen,with the USB plug-in.  I also have a single small sink in my island because the island separates the refrigerator from the main sink.  If there is enough space, plan 4 feet around the island so that it’s easier for two people to be in the kitchen.  I would not put in an island if it meant there would not be enough space to open the refrigerator or any other cabinet and still be able to walk around it.

Tip #7 Make Sure Your Kitchen Has Enough Power

When they wire your kitchen, make sure they plan on enough “juice”. You don’t want to blow fuses because you’re running the toaster oven while the coffee maker and mixer at the same time. I have 4 fuses that power the kitchen.

Tip#8 Think About the Water Heater Placement and Type

My last suggestion has to do with water. I waste a great deal of water because my water heater is too far away from the kitchen.  It takes forever for the water to get hot.    A tankless water heater closer to the kitchen may be a way to go.  Here’s a link to a video about the tankless water heater. 3 things you should know about tankless water heaters

 

It is helpful to think about ways you use your kitchen.  While there are many choices for surfaces and flooring that must be decided, the function of the kitchen is most important.  I hope these design tips for your kitchen are helpful whether you’re remodeling or building.