Interior Design
Written By Sheree Douglas
5 Design Features that will Enhance Your Kitchen and Improve Your Life
While kitchen renovations are one of the most costly renovations you can do, they are a great investment and, in many cases, it is the updated kitchen that influences the sale of a home at or above asking price.
Although it can be easy to get swept up in the newest kitchen gadgets, be sure to be mindful of where you are spending your money on your kitchen design. The best places to put the bulk of your budget are appliances, cabinets, counters, and floors.
Since trends come and go, opt for fixtures and finishes that are timeless instead of trendy. Kitchen design is a long-term investment and it is best to opt for conservative, classic selections that appeal to a wide range of potential buyers. This is especially important if you plan to sell your home within the next few years.
In additional to all the traditional items, here are several beautiful kitchen features that can be a great addition to your kitchen design, if your space and budget allow…
1. Built-In Coffee Bar or Beverage Center for Entertaining
Beverage centers that function equally well for morning coffee and entertaining are all the rage, and for good reason. Today's modern living kitchens are designed to be social areas as well as functional and fun.
A built-in bar or beverage center can vary greatly depending on the size of the space available. Once added and well-stocked with everything needed for entertaining, this kitchen addition will certainly be enjoyed by the homeowner and guests alike.
2. Kitchen Islands with Seating & Cozy Breakfast Nooks
Many kitchen designs utilize adjoining areas to create more open space. The kitchen island functions as a nice transition into the open area beyond. This is a great hub for family time to sit around and chit-chat while dinner is being prepared. It also doubles as a perfect spot for the kids to do homework projects while reminiscing about their days.
If you are able to make room for a breakfast nook, you won’t be disappointed. I love a bench or banquette on one side of the table or even in a corner. It looks so much more interesting and exciting than a matching kitchen set.
In fact, I had one client who wanted to seat 14 at their table. Space was limited in length, but on one side we used two benches that could seat 6-8 children. We never could have accomplished their goal with chairs alone. The clients loved this solution and enjoys great family dinners with their beautiful family to this day.
3. Easy-to-Use & Integrated Smart Kitchen Technology
There are so many wonderful smart features that are available in today's kitchens. Some of these seamlessly integrated gadgets are touch faucets, multi-functional appliances, pot fillers, drawer microwaves, touch screens, and voice-activated appliances…just to name a few.
Of course, in your smart home, you can schedule on and off functions as needed. This is fabulous and can even be controlled remotely via a mobile app or a voice assistant like Amazon Alexa. Voice-activated functions are very convenient and helpful, as well as a definite selling point in today’s real estate market.
4. Layers of Lighting to Make a Statement in the Kitchen
Kitchen lighting is very important. There are a few types of lighting that are must-haves in any good kitchen design.
General lighting in the center of the room usually takes the form of recessed cans, statement chandeliers, or decorative pendant lights over the island. If you have higher ceilings, suspended lighting can be very pretty while still functional.
Task lighting usually exists in appliances, like that handy light above the kitchen stove.
Lastly, a way to make a beautiful statement is to install accent lighting: above cabinet lighting, under cabinet lighting, or baseboard lighting. But don't use all three at once because it can be overkill and lose its effectiveness. Use accent lighting to highlight important areas of the room.
5. Creative Uses of Color Throughout the Kitchen
Color is definitely making a comeback. Color adds personality and comfort to any space. Color creates an emotional impact, which should be taken into account when designing.
Kitchens are seeing big changes in this area. Move over, white and gray kitchens—hello, color! Bright shades of blue, green, red, and more are once again returning to kitchens in the form of cabinetry, backsplash, and even appliances.
But that doesn’t mean we have seen the end of gray either. A beautiful neutral that works oh-so-well on kitchen cabinets, we probably won’t ever see a decline in gray kitchens.
One beautiful design could be a neutral white classic color as the main kitchen cabinets and the island cabinetry a bright Classic Blue, 2020 Pantone Color of The Year, finished with a white quartz countertop. Sounds stunning, right?
In a kitchen I am working on right now, there are 3 cabinet colors: white, black and wood-toned. It is very pretty, but since this a more advanced design, I recommend working with a designer if you want to use multiple colors and finishes of cabinetry.
Gone are the days of everything matching…main cabinets are now often different from the island cabinets…metal hardware is often a different finish than the exposed plumbing…and sometimes different countertops are used on the main area than on the island.
So guys, by making a few of these updates. large or small, you can change the look and feel of your kitchen so that you and your family can be more comfortable and relaxed in your living space.
Your loved ones may thank you, too, for making your kitchen more beautiful, functional, and enjoyable. I truly hope that these are fun projects that make you happy at home and put a spring in your step as you go out into this crazy world! Stay safe and healthy!
Warmly,
Sheree
Sheree Douglas
I work with people, who love lovely items and surroundings, to create an interior design that is a beautiful reflection of themselves and their lifestyle. I help them put together a plan, weed through the millions of items available, budget, and curate it all into their fabulous home design. I love working with people! Interior Design really can be fun, exciting and a valuable asset to your home!