What is it about kitchens that cause people to congregate? Some of our fondest childhood memories revolve around the kitchen.  Whether it was making those holiday treats or just helping grandma cook your favorite dessert. While in the past the kitchen was typically used for cooking, it is so much more today. It is the place where family and friends not only cook together, but also build relationships. Our kitchens have become a part of our family rooms. 

The overall function of the kitchen sets the tone for the entire house. With so much of the activity funneling through the kitchen we want to make sure it is a healthy environment that supports all the different activities that now occur in the kitchen. Here are some tips on designing and creating a warm and inviting kitchen that helps with the overall flow and activity of the kitchen.

Making the Kitchen the Heart

• Choose your style - Just like no two families are the same, neither are any two kitchens. Learn about different wood species. Certain colors and finishes will give a different vibe to your kitchen.
• Choose the right layout - Not every layout will work for every kitchen. The layout you pick will affect cooking, socialization, and how and where you eat.
• Clear the clutter - There are many storage ideas that can help keep you organized. It makes it difficult when you can’t find the things you need. It is also uncomfortable and less inviting to guests when our counters are piled with stuff.
• Create a seating area – With open kitchens becoming more common the living room naturally becomes an extension of the kitchen. You still want a place for people to sit in your newly remodeled kitchen. It can be a large island with comfy barstools, a built in bistro seating with cabinets for storage, or a large table to play games and enjoy a good meal.
• Make things accessible – If teens or kids know there is a place for snacks and food they will come. Your kids are only young once. Having a place for them to congregate and hang out will let you know what they are up to and hopefully keep them out of trouble.  Take advantage and welcome their friends into you home. You might even include a built in refrigerator drawer for snacks so they don’t eat tomorrow’s dinner.
• Integrate technology – There are a few simple things that can be included in your kitchen design to aid with using technology in the different activities in the kitchen. Try and think of the last time you didn’t use technology?  Everyone today needs access and there are many ways to integrate and use technology in the kitchen.

For most of us it is the relationship with our friends and families that mean the most. When remodeling a kitchen it is the perfect time to create a space where those relationships can be fostered.  If you have kids you want a kitchen that is family friendly.  It is also a time to help alleviate the stress and chaos that can sometimes take over our everyday lives.  

At Brakur Custom Cabinetry we too value those relationships. We understand that the kitchen is the heart of the home. We can customize any space in your kitchen so that the heart of your home is not adding to the stress of your life. If you would like to speak with one of our kitchen design experts you can click below.