The kitchen is perhaps the most utilised room in any home. Gone are the days when this room was regarded as just a place to prepare food. Nowadays, it’s a hotspot family and friends to bond over food and great conversations, and sometimes it’s also a kind of art. This, therefore, requires a modern and functional kitchen that offers an open and inviting space to cater for everyone’s needs. A kitchen might be fully stocked with all the new appliances in the market, however, without a smooth workflow between the different appliances, it becomes an absolute nightmare to complete tasks. Here are some tips to assist you in making your kitchen more functional
STOCK ON NECESSARY APPLIANCES
A well functioning kitchen will require the necessary equipment and appliances. These devices ought to be in great shape for their intended purpose. If a piece of equipment is not working, it makes the kitchen less efficient while taking up unnecessary storage space. Regular repair and maintenance could be a great recommendation to improve your kitchen operations rather than replacing with brand new appliances.
STORE WITHIN YOUR REACH
Most homeowners often complain of not having enough storage space in their kitchen. One of the key kitchen challenges is digging around for that cooking pot that you are in dire need of without finding it. If you have a small kitchen, it would be wise to make maximum use of the wall space. For instance, you can have a hanging rack to place your pots for easy access to your cooking while minimizing space wastage and adds an interesting visual to your kitchen.
CREATE A WORKFLOW
As with any functional unit, a well planned out workflow is of importance. You need to set out separate areas for food preparation, cleaning and storage areas. These three make the kitchen work triangle rule which is a concept developed in the early twentieth century aimed at enhancing aesthetically pleasing and well functional kitchens. Anyone preparing their meal has three important zones at their disposal to allow them to work without being disrupted or hindering traffic to other kitchen users.
KEEP COUNTER SURFACES CLUTTER FREE
The kitchen is the last place you would want clutter given the various appliances that can turn hazardous if not properly taken care of. For a functional kitchen, always make sure the countertops and sinks are free from unnecessary clutter. Avoid stacking on dirty dishes that make the kitchen look messy and are likely to attract rodents. Get rid of empty jars and broken utensils that you no longer need.
ALLOW MAXIMUM LIGHTING
A Functional kitchen requires good lighting to maximise the visibility of working areas. Natural lighting can lift your mood and allow for different activities to get done. Unfortunately, not all homes are built with natural light in mind. Mounting artificial lights help in illuminating the overall space, especially at night. Well placed ceiling spotlights directed at countertops helps one to focus during food preparation. Cabinet lighting assists to lit up darker spots within the kitchen not forgetting the aesthetics they bring to a room.
WELL PLACED SEATING AREA
Whether your kitchen is large or small, getting a great design layout is vital to ensuring a functional and practical kitchen area. Correct placement of furniture and ease of use are facts to consider for the enjoyment of the room. For smaller kitchens, a simple seating layout is space-efficient without giving up on functionality. Open-plan kitchens provide a large work surface. The island incorporates a cooking surface while having the ability to be utilised as a social area where family and friends can interact over meals and drinks.