Photo Credit: Saviesa Home via www.pexels.com
For many families, the kitchen is the heart of their home. It is a dynamic space where children and adults can come together to cook, talk, relax, or entertain.
Studies have shown that millennials believe that the kitchen is the most important room in the house. However, designing a kitchen that is stylish, comfortable, and functional can be a difficult task. That is why we have put down on paper some of our favourite kitchen design hacks that can help make your family kitchen even more inviting and functional. One such hack is the implementation of a Kitchen Splashback.
Maximise Your Storage Options
Having the right storage solutions in place is essential for a busy kitchen. That is why out-of-the-box thinking and creative storage solutions can be the difference between a good kitchen and a great one.
There are many different ways you can maximise your storage space in your kitchen and many of the most obvious ways relate to cabinet design. Pull-out shelves, also called roll-out shelves, have seen a surge in popularity in recent times as they allow for the full use of a shelf with none of that wasted space in the hard-to-reach areas near the back. And it’s not only shelves that are now going on wheels either. Slide-out baskets are a great alternative to shelves as they are easy to clean, can offer more visibility than regular shelves, and many options are suitable for DIY installation.
While on the topic of unused spaces, several often underutilised areas in the kitchen can be repurposed for storage. The area between the top of your cupboards and the ceiling, for example, is a great place to store appliances you don’t often use.
Another unused space is the backsplash area, which usually runs around the entire perimeter of a kitchen yet hardly ever gets used. Hanging a dish rack on the backsplash area above the sink can free up valuable counter space. The zone also makes for the perfect place to store your knives on a magnetic strip or in a mounted knife block, so they are safely out of reach of small fingers. Hanging baskets or racks can also be suspended from the bottom of your cupboards to hang in this area for even more storage room.
Finally, once your backsplash is fully loaded, you can look at some of the bigger areas in your kitchen that you probably never even thought of using. The area above your doorway, for example, is a great spot for some extra shelves. Corner shelves are a great way to tuck some extra space into those awkward spots your cupboards don’t fit into.
Pantry? What Pantry?
Once your cupboards are up to scratch, the next area you can improve on in terms of storage is your pantry area. While some homes have dedicated rooms to store goods in, space comes at a premium in most family homes. Being able to integrate a pantry into the kitchen can help make your home more efficient.
If you are trying to keep costs down, you could consider upcycling an old bookshelf for your pantry. The piece can be mounted to a wall in the kitchen and stocked with more of those roll-out shelves, allowing you to breathe some new life into an area while saving you some money.
Similar to pull-out shelves, pantries that are on rails can be tucked away when not in use and they can be installed in a variety of spaces that would otherwise not be used, such as the space between the fridge and cupboard. You don’t even need to confine your pantry to the kitchen. Unused spaces underneath stairs, that broom cupboard that is no longer used, or even a nook in the laundry room can be transformed into a pantry with just a few shelves and some baskets for easy and removable storage.
Not Just Pretty to Look At
When it comes to decor ideas, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing someone take an everyday object that you might see in any kitchen and turn it into a centrepiece in their home. Functional decor allows you to show off some artistic flair while also allowing you to save space (think of the backsplash knife rack, for example). Storing pots and pans in unique ways, such as on a magnetic strip on your wall or suspended from your ceiling, is a popular technique that can be both stylish and practical.
If you are looking to take your kitchen to the next level of functionality then why not think about integrating your chopping board into your countertop. Choosing a material that is multi-functional, easy to clean, and stain-resistant will mean more room to work on and you won’t have to stress about any tough messes on your counters if your children decide to take over your area for their latest craft project.
Make Full Use of Your Kitchen Island
Breakfast bars and kitchen islands are a great way to create an additional surface in a bustling kitchen but making full use of the space is important if you wish to maximise the potential of the room. When you are designing your kitchen, make sure you allow for enough space around your island for the greatest range of utility. Consider integrating some of your bigger appliances, such as a dishwasher, into the island to free up space elsewhere in the room. If an island is big enough, it can even take on the role of the kitchen table, allowing you to entertain guests while you’re busy at the stove.
Installing a kitchen island may require a little more work than you can do yourself, especially if you need power or water supplied to this area. Don’t be afraid to consult with professionals that specialise in kitchen renovations for some help designing or incorporating an island into your home. Companies such as Kitchen Capital, who have helped Perth families renovate their homes for over two decades, can help you design your perfect kitchen while also assisting with all your building requirements, lighting, accessories, appliances and more. They offer a full design service, as well as quality fittings.
Choose the Right Appliances
When it comes to your appliances, making smart buying decisions can make a difference in your cooking experience. Choosing an induction hob over a gas unit can help save on your utility bill as induction cooking is more efficient than other methods. In addition to their efficiency, induction units are child-friendly as they do not hold onto heat once their task is complete, which is perfect for families with inquisitive children who may be curious about when dinner is ready.
While on the topic of ovens, a great way to mix things up in your kitchen while keeping it child-friendly is by installing your oven at eye-level rather than in the traditional spot on the floor. Not only will this keep children from burning themselves on a hot surface, but it can also open up even more smart storage options, as you can install a cupboard beneath the oven for storing pots and pans.
Family kitchens are most effective when they combine form and function to create a space that is both versatile and efficient. With a bit of creativity and artistic flair, you can transform your family kitchen into a space everyone will want to gather in (and not just around dinnertime).