New Year, New Kitchen: Making Your Space More Functional in 2020
When it comes to home renovation, bathrooms and kitchens are the two spaces we get called about most, and for good reason! These rooms in your home are used often by everyone in the house, and also require the most professional knowledge to renovate since they involve plumbing, electrical work, and waterproofing measures (unlike a bedroom or office that might only need a fresh coat of paint to get a whole new look). One of the biggest requests we hear when it comes to a kitchen overhaul is for improved function and efficiency. This is particularly true in older homes when appliances were designed differently, storage options were more limited, and fixtures didn't offer the same features available with modern choices.
If you're taking the plunge and opting for a new kitchen in 2020, here are some ways you can enjoy improved function in your space:
Look for areas where you can incorporate hidden storage. Maximizing storage in a kitchen is key, and the more you plan for organization, the easier it is to work in your space. Corner cabinets are great places to work in a Lazy Susan system, giving you better access to items stored inside. Pull out drawers that can be installed inside of existing cabinets are a wonderful way to keep pots and pans (and their lids!) organized and very handy without fulling removing your cabinets and installing all new materials. When it comes to your pantry, shelving that can pivot or pull out is another great way to maximize storage without changing wall layouts or doors.
Choose hardware and fixtures for function AND style. While the aesthetics of your kitchen fixtures and cabinet hardware are important, how they function in your daily use of the space is the most important factor to consider. That old-world styled kitchen faucet for example might be a look you love, but if having a removable sprayer head is important to you, or having a one-touch system makes life easier when working in your kitchen, you might want to look into something different. Take time to think through the top 3 features you want in a particular piece, from faucets to pull-knobs, and then use that information when you go to the hardware store to make decisions about individual pieces.
Waterproof surfaces make life easier (and they don't limit your style). While tile or vinyl surfaces used to really limit the look you could go for in your kitchen area (no hardwood flooring for you) modern options let you get just about any look you want without sacrificing function and ease of use. Tile flooring and backsplashes now come in options that almost perfectly mimic hardwood surfaces, natural stone, etc. So while hardwood floors in a kitchen used to be a bad idea, now you can enjoy waterproof tile or luxury vinyl options that look just like the real thing, but can stand up to the wet areas in your home.
Dickens Plumbing Inc. is Polk County's choice for all plumbing needs. We tackle jobs of all sizes, and we can help you with appliances, pipes, fixtures, and more to get your new kitchen ready for its big reveal! Give us a call for an appointment and estimate, and let us help you kick off this new year with a new space that you love.