If you are contemplating a kitchen remodel, there’s a lot more you can do than just replace the cabinets and appliances. What kitchen styles will work for you? Your goal should be to end up with a post remodel kitchen that mirrors the way you WILL use it. Notice we used “how you will use it” and not how you “think” you will use it. We’re talking to the aspiring chefs who watch Food Network in the living room but never actually cook in their kitchen.
Before a professional like Castle Builds walks in, try some online tools to help you flesh out how you will use your new kitchen.
Or you can take a cue from the three most common kitchen styles: gourmet, entertaining and family-centered and pick the one that best suits you.
Kitchen Style – Gourmet Kitchen:
Characteristics include, but are not limited to, professional-grade appliances, easy access and storage for pans, pots and utensils, and surface areas dedicated to preparation, cooking, cleaning, and serving.
Appliances: True foodies scoff at anything but a gas range and know induction cooktops are much better at delivering heat evenly. Double ovens may also benefit the busy cook and baker. A refrigerator with french doors is preferable for space constraints. All of these features can increase your resale value since buyers, regardless of whether they are adept in the kitchen, like the idea of a gourmet kitchen.
Surface areas: Quartz and granite are great. But for a really modern and sleek look at a more affordable price, consider concrete.
Kitchen Style – Entertaining Kitchen:
Features include, but are not confined to, sleek looking appliances, warming drawers, and a sizeable island for guests to gather around.
Sleek looking appliances = those that don’t show fingerprints. Frigidaire makes a line. The only drawback is that they show scratches from magnets, so you need to decide whether you want clean surfaces or your favorite pictures, you can’t have both.
Warming Drawers: These keep prepared meals hot, warm plates, and even slow cook and proof bread dough. After all, if you’re entertaining, you can’t always time your meals to be done the moment your guests arrive. Besides, maybe you’re having a great time socializing and want to time the meal just right.
Island: A must. Make sure your chairs are functional and comfortable. Consider installing an island with different heights. Drinks and food are prepared on the shorter side and guests sit at the higher side, where they can’t get spilled on or have to stare at your dirty dishes.
Kitchen Style – Family Centered Kitchen:
You can achieve this with easy to clean surfaces, including floors, a multi-use island, and one heck of a pantry.
Surfaces: See above paragraph about fingerprint proof appliances. Go a step further with easy to clean countertops that are not white or beige. Floors should not have grout unless you want to drive whomever cleans it to divorce you.
Island: Your children will use this for homework so you want it large enough to use for that as well as food preparation.
Pantry: Busy families wanting to cut down on the number of trips to the store keep a ready supply of staple items. Plus, if you have more than two people in your household, you’ll naturally have more food. HGTV.com has great pictures to look through to get the ball rolling.
Now you have some ideas about how you will use the kitchen post remodel. Castle Builds has renovated many kitchens for many types of homeowners. Give us a call at (303) 944-0488 to discuss.
Now, can you think of any other kitchen types?
Learn more about our kitchen remodeling.
