Cooking Up an Inspiring Kitchen

The kitchen is arguably the most essential room in the home. It’s where you and your family will spend a considerable amount of time, and it’s the space your guests will gravitate to when you’re entertaining. Creating the perfect kitchen space depends not only on your taste and style preferences but also on practicality and ease of use.

For these reasons, it’s important that your kitchen be beautiful, functional and most importantly, designed for how you’re going to use it.

Form and function

Whether you prefer a more traditional or modern look for your kitchen, you need to first consider maintaining a balance between form and function. Of course you want the kitchen to be big, bold and beautiful, but first, consider how you’re going to use the space in your day-to-day.

Maximize your kitchen’s efficiency by minimizing the space between the three appliances you use most frequently (usually the range, sink, and fridge), make it comfortable and convenient to access all three within close proximity while you’re cooking up a storm.

Counter balance

When designing your new kitchen, plan to install enough surface area within your new layout, especially if you’re a cooking or baking enthusiast and spend a lot of time there. You can ensure that your pots and pans have ample room when cooking by adding extra counter space between your stovetop and sink. Most homeowners like to use their kitchen for eating in addition to cooking, so accommodate everyone with a large kitchen island to ensure that there’s space to enjoy a meal away from hot pans and sharp cooking tools.

Accessible utensils

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Kitchen utensils like knives, spatulas and ladles are used so often that keeping them in a messy drawer doesn’t necessarily make a lot of sense. Free up some drawer space by installing a magnetic strip near cooking and prep areas, so they’re easily accessible to get the job done. Alternatively, you can install a rail/hook system under your cabinets that keep those frequently used utensils ready-to-use but still out of the way.

It’s not just about cooking anymore

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Today’s kitchen has evolved from being merely a space to prepare meals into a hub of family activity. Make the most of your kitchen space by installing a family message centre, complete with a computer desk for following recipes or doing homework. Finish a section of the wall in chalkboard paint to leave notes and keep a calendar, and use open shelving with file folders to keep track of bills and coupons. Post-it notes may come in especially handy. Using a different shape or colour for each family member makes it easier to keep track of who is doing what.

Tour our Minto Model Homes at Arcadia in Kanata, Avalon Encore in Orléans, and Mahogany in Manotick and experience a full range of inspiring kitchen design.

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