For years homeowners have heard all about the work triangle. The work triangle has been around for a while and was designed in the 1940’s to help people work more efficiently in the kitchen. 

Today as the size and layouts of our kitchens have increased people are finding that the work triangle doesn’t necessarily work for all of today’s kitchens. Kitchens are no longer used just for cooking.  Many kitchens today are not only larger but are open to other living areas such as the family room. There are many more activities that occur in the kitchen in addition to having a lot more appliances.  Designers are finding work zones for most kitchens to be a much more effective use of space.

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. 

It doesn’t matter how comfortable the rest of the house is, people always tend to gravitate toward the kitchen. It could be kids working on a school project, friends hanging out and playing a game, or the aroma of those yummy chocolate chip cookies they can smell coming from the oven pulling them in. 

If you have been on Pinterest lately or have been looking in the decorating magazines you have probably noticed that color is coming back into the kitchen. Not only are we seeing cabinets with more color, but we are seeing more bold and brighter colors in the kitchen.

A recent Houzz survey on decorating trends, found the younger generation is more likely to go with bolder and brighter colors. While soft and neutral is still the most popular choice they are seeing splashes of color incorporated in backsplashes, wall colors and decorating accents. 

The way we do things has changed drastically over the last 10 years.  We have become technologically dependent.  We are used to having what we want at our fingertips.  We don’t even have to leave the comfort of our own home to shop.  Kitchens are no different and are following that trend.  With technology changing so rapidly what can you include in your kitchen update that will allow you to be prepared for the future and not get left in the past? 

The bathroom is heart of a lot of activity in the home. Next to the kitchen it is probably one of the most used rooms in the house that affects the function of your family.  You would be surprised at all the innovative things that can be included in your bathroom remodel. Don’t be surprised when you see how high tech bathrooms have become. There are refrigerated cabinets to store medicines, as well as other kinds of smart cabinets. 

While not every trend may be for your family, we thought we would let you know what is out there in case you do decided to splurge a little and make the function and atmosphere a lot more pleasant. 

Trends to Think About

Our kitchens have always been a focal point of our home.  A lot of the activities we enjoy revolve around the kitchen. When considering a kitchen remodel it’s important to think about the design and how it will affect you as you age.  After all, remodeling a kitchen is a big investment and not something you want to turn around and do again in a short timeframe. 

We want you to be able to enjoy your kitchen for years to come.  That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style.  A recent article suggests some things that you might consider including in your kitchen remodel that will increase its safety and usefulness as family members age. Below are a few of those suggestions that we think would be most beneficial.

Deciding where to put and store things has always been a dilemma.  Especially those extra bulky items that seem to clutter up your counters.  Today we have gadgets for everything in the kitchen.  While they are great and convenient, sometimes finding a place for them, and making them accessible, is an even bigger concern. 

Who doesn’t wish for an organized kitchen pantry? There is nothing worse than being in the middle of your favorite recipe and you can’t find that one ingredient.  So you stop what you are doing to run to the store to get what you need, only to find three cans of the same item a few days later.

We can all relate to this story.  Utilizing tools to have an organized pantry will not only save money, but time and frustration as well.

Here at Brakur we understand the demands and challenges that go with raising a family.  Many of our employees are parents as well.  So when it comes to designing a kitchen for a family we have some pretty good ideas of what you might be looking for.  We probably have even thought of things that you haven’t. We can help bring some sanity to your sometimes crazy lives.  With kids nothing is ever the same and things are constantly changing.  One thing we have found is making sure everything has a place can alleviate a lot of those hectic crazy days.

We have some tips that we think you will find helpful in planning your kitchen.