It amazes me how the drama unfolds when I visit some kitchens. Oftentimes, there’s no rhyme or reason to how it functions. Today’s kitchens are generally the heart of the home. They can be simple and still pleasingly functional while environmentally friendly and large enough for cooking, eating, and entertaining. The kitchen can be masterfully planned and delightfully personalized. Efficiency and an open floor plan allows two cooks to share the work area, visit with company while they cook, and move in and out of the kitchen easily. So I want to share with you four quick ways to get the best mileage from your kitchen and love it.

1. All Aboard! Destination: Function

My main component of function is safety. A well-planned layout allows traffic to flow with ease and saves steps and time while cooking. Kitchens aisles should be at least 42 to 48 inches wide to allow people to move around easily and for appliances to open with ease.

• Think about who will do the cooking. How many cooks?
• Think about what you like to cook.
• Think about why you like to prepare it.
• Think about the importance of seeing and talking to your family while you’re cooking.

It is important to make this space comfortable as possible because it’s the hub of the home and a lot of time is spent there. This means the kitchen should be specific to your needs.

2. Next Stop: Practical Appliances

Look at the practical side when choosing appliances. If there are two cooks in the home, talk this over and be specific and explain why certain appliances appeal to you. Let’s talk about these choices.

• The Blanco sink with two bowls — one large, one small and a drain board. The smaller sink has a built-in colander that doubles as a flatware drainer, and the larger one has a knob that controls the stopper, allowing you to drain it without putting your arm in dirty dishwater.

• A functional cooking appliance: The Frigidaire Professional Series stainless steel 30″ Slide-in Dual-Fuel Range with 4 Sealed Burners & EvenCook3 Convection System Self-Cleaning Oven with Auto-Latch Safety Lock comes with an Easy Set 510 Electronic Oven Control with Keypad Entry and Integrated Warmer Drawer Control.

• The Fridge: Most people look at the larger, wider models but think about conserving the real estate in the space with an intelligent layout energy efficient design by B & O designer/artist David Lewis. The fresh food section is at eye level and the freezer is on the bottom. The condenser and cooling tubes are built into the walls of the unit, with the back sealed to keep dust out of working parts. This sealed design allows for quiet and ultra-efficient operation. With two efficient compressors you have control over the cooling of each compartment.

3. Necessity Lay-Over: Install Proper Lighting

Lighting should be adjustable and from multiple sources. Recess fixtures overhead, specific task lighting over the counters, sink, stove and islands plus additional lighting above and under cabinetry will illuminate shadowy areas while adding depth and drama.

4. Last Stop: Organized Storage

So you have lots of cabinet space huh. But this doesn’t necessarily solve your storage dilemma when you aren’t thinking “usage” or “comfort”. Yes the kitchen is a place where comfort and ease are paramount, which is none short of functional. Cooking essentials must be organized. Think in these terms:

• Keep it simple dishes with dishes; food with
food; utensils with utensils

• Keep it handy: house cooking equipment near the stove; dishes near the dishwasher; everyday uses within easy reach; less often uses in back shelves or top cabinets; aluminum foil, plastic wrap and bags beneath counter

• Keep it flexible: Roll-out shelves and bins; lazy-susans; pull-out appliance shelves and pantry units makes easy accessibility and keep countertops free for food prep

• Keep it neat: Tupperware and plastic containers are easily accessible and visibly organized when placed in a drawer

• Keep it a kitchen: Food, food-like stuff, utensils, and the like belongs in the kitchen. Cleaning supplies, tools, pet food, batteries and light bulbs do not.

• Keep it versatile: The pot rack floating from the ceiling over an island provides a lot of storage, does not block cross-views, and is an attractive accessory.

• Keep it real: Let go of what you haven’t used the past 12 months or so.

A fully serviceable kitchen should contain all the needed appliances together with plenty of organized storage and ample working surfaces, and must be none short of comfort and function for every member of the family.

I hope you were encouraged to get the best mileage from your kitchen. As always, thank you for stopping by and reading my posts.
I encourage your comments.

Sharing my passion,

Deana

© 2010 Deana Murphy • All Rights Reserved