When you’re cooking or baking in the kitchen, the last thing you want is to be rummaging through drawers and cabinets looking for tools and Tupperware, or dealing with a kitchen layout that is not suitable for, well, you know, cooking! It can be difficult sometimes to determine what you need to do in order to make sure that you kitchen is as functional as possible, but thankfully there are a few different things you can do to get yourself a functional kitchen and remain frustration free!
Vertical Wall Storage is King
Take advantage of your walls! Even in a large kitchen, there is only so many cabinets and drawers for storing kitchen equipment, dishes, silverware and storage containers. If you’re a big foodie or are obsessed with kitchen gadgets (we may be guilty of this) chances are your kitchen may feel a little cramped, organization-wise at least. One way to help keep your kitchen functional and free of countertop clutter is to utilize vertical wall storage! More specifically, consider using hooks, rods, and magnets to help keep some of your kitchen items more organized. Have a knife block that takes up too much room? Install a food-grade magnet strip near your prep area so all your knives are easy to see and reach. Have a million pots and pans? Consider installing a central ceiling mount with plenty of hooks to hang your pots and pans for both display and utilization! Wall storage is perfect for nearly any kitchen regardless of size or style, and vertical storage has an endless amount of customizable layout options to work for you and your kitchen.
Create a Gathering Space
The kitchen is traditionally a gathering space in a home, where families and friends can gather around a hot meal to share stories about their days and lives. If you have a large family or do a lot of entertaining, it may be function for you to design and install an island or breakfast bar, which is often doing using modular cabinetry and a durable countertop. Not only will this keep your friends and family close while you’re buzzing about in the kitchen, it makes room for extra seating and an area to serve food other than the dining room table or straight out of the pot or pan you’re cooking in.
Update Your Stove
If you have an older stove with an electric coil top and have never used a flat glass ceramic cooktop, you’re in for a great surprise! Flat cooktops are extremely convenient, and if you invest in anything for your kitchen, this is the thing we recommend. Flat cooktops mean that your pots and pans will always sit completely flat, making heat distribution more even across your plan. Plus, if a pot boils over or you spill, all you have to do is wipe the cooktop after it’s cool! No hard scrubbing or taking apart your entire cooktop to clean underneath. This is the ultimate in an aesthetic and functional kitchen upgrade.
Thank you for reading our real estate and homeowner’s blog. We are Weichert Realtors – Barton Harris & Co. and we’re happy to have helped you learn more about how to make a more functional kitchen for every day use.
