It’s often said that the kitchen is the room that sells a house. We could debate, at length, whether or not this is true, but there is no doubt that when you are living in the house, the quality of the kitchen can make a major difference in regard to how comfortable and happy you are living there.
When you are looking at potential new homes, or thinking about a potential remodel of your home or just part of it, it’s worth thinking about what you are looking for in a kitchen. Below, we’ll go into the questions of what makes a kitchen feel right – and what you should be prioritizing when it comes to a remodel.
Worktop space
Clutter isn’t desirable anywhere in the home, but the kitchen is a room that really suffers if there is a lack of order and clean lines. When you’re working in the kitchen, you’re going to need space to put things down – and that means you’ll ideally have masses of worktop space. Securing that space means having lots of storage elsewhere in the kitchen, so things can be put away rather than left out. When hiring a kitchen renovation contractor, the twin terms “storage” and “space” need to be emphasized.
Good lighting
Almost any other room in the house can benefit from muted, moodish lighting, but the kitchen is not a space that benefits from this. Anyone who has cooked in a poorly-lit kitchen will tell you that it’s a risky business – you really do need to be able to see everything. Good lighting is also essential for keeping the kitchen clean. By all means, if you’ve got a kitchen-diner, you can dim the lights when it comes time to eat – but the more available light there is, the better.
Power points
There is a delicate balance to be made here, but kitchen power points are essential. How many? Really, as many as the power supply will support (you don’t want a blown fuse right in the middle of a complex recipe!). There’s a good chance you’ll be needing to operate a blender, a toaster-oven, a kettle and an air-fryer all at once, and having to juggle sockets to make it work won’t be helpful.
Floor space
A lot of people dream of a kitchen island where they can work on delicious meals, pull up a seat and have a drink and a chat, or whatever else they want to do while in the kitchen. However, unless you have a very large kitchen, an island really cramps the space. Speed of movement is essential when you are cooking, and by cutting off a large percentage of available floor space, all you’ll be doing is sacrificing convenience for a little style.
Smart devices
Smart tech has its supporters and its detractors, but if used right it can really make a kitchen work for you. A smart speaker can allow you to stream music or radio while you cook, and means you don’t need to find space for a radio. It also allows you to contact your family, hands-free, when food is ready, and to ask questions about measurements when you don’t know your cups from your fluid-ounces.
What do you think?