Consumer Reports
 |
| Freerangestock.com |
Today’s kitchens are being built as ‘social kitchens’ and are being designed to accommodate more than just cooking. Electronics are finding special nooks and the heart of the home is now being used for parties, homework, more than one cook….you get the picture. Here are some tips for creating a functional hub of the home:
- Carefully open up the space: Opening up too many walls and allowing too many entrances to the kitchen can create a sense of chaos instead of openness. Half walls and arched openings are a great way to really open up the space visually while still controlling traffic. It’s also important to merge the kitchen with the rest of the home. A great way to do this is by utilizing the repetition of color such as by having artwork in the kitchen the same color hue as the walls of the adjacent room.
- Create zones: Keep guests and kids away from the work zone of the kitchen (the triangle between the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and sink) by installing a beverage and snack station near the public facing edge of the kitchen. Ideas for a drink/snack station include a wet bar with a wine fridge, or a coffee area with a coffee maker, some snacks, and a cabinet for cups and mugs. Another cool idea is a baking station for the homeowner that loves to bake; have this near the stove with space for baking supplies and equipment and a marble surface for dough rolling.
- Hide the mess: Some homeowners are opposed to an open kitchen because they don’t want the mess in the kitchen visible to guests. To avoid this, put in a raised bar on the public side of the island so that guests have a place to sit while the meal is being prepared and then the dinner mess can be hidden from view once the meal starts. Island bars can also be used for casual seating as well.
- Drop zone: Since the kitchen is the hub of most homes, that can mean lots of clutter such as paperwork, backpacks, jackets, etc. Create an area for these things such as a mudroom with durable flooring and shelving with baskets assigned for each family member or for homes short on space, try using a hallway closet as a makeshift drop zone.
- Eat in: Casual dining is an important feature of a social kitchen and is also great for resale value, ranking as one of the most desired features in a 2013 home buyer survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors. Built in banquettes are also great, providing a cozy place to eat, pay bills, do homework, etc. The base of a banquette can also have built in storage for items such as napkins or other tablescape accessories.
- Include an island: Islands are great because more counterspace is always good and they provide seating while meal prep is taking place and a place to sit for casual meals. Bigger isn’t always better though-there should be 42-48 inches of clearance on all sides. Islands are awesome for entertaining, as they can serve as a buffet area, or an in-island sink can be filled with ice to create a raw bar or to hold beverages.
- Charging stations: For many of us, our electronics spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so charging stations are an option that makes sense. They can be installed in a cabinet or drawer equipped with docks and outlets. Electrical outlets with built in USB ports are also available so your phone can charge while the toaster is plugged in.