So you find yourself renovating your kitchen.
Maybe it all started with a few creaky cabinets or a leaky sink, but one thing led to another, and now you’ve got a full-blown renovation on your hands.
Well, these things tend to happen with home projects, and the important thing now is to make the most of it.
Presumably, you would be stuck deciding how much to renovate, the overall style and looks, and of course, you cannot overlook function either.
Well, this guide will help you with all three.
By the end of it, you will be able to create a thorough plan of action where you can satisfy all of your kitchen space requirements.
Start By Planning The Layout
Many times, when you rent an apartment or buy a house, you get stuck with what’s originally there.
A renovation, though, is a good time to change things according to your tastes.
So, take it as an opportunity to redesign the layout of the kitchen. In a modern kitchen, you want to prioritize efficiency to some degree.
For example, if you are thinking from the POV of a cook, then being able to access the stove, refrigerator, sink, and cabinets without moving too much would be ideal.
This is called the classic work triangle design principle.
According to this principle, you should place your main work areas within easy reach and avoid wasted movement.
Popular layouts to consider:
Some of the most common layouts in modern kitchens are as follows.
- L-Shaped Kitchen. The L-shaped layout uses two adjoining walls to create a natural cooking zone. It maximizes corner space and leaves plenty of room for dining or a kitchen island, making it ideal for families and entertainers alike.
- U-Shaped Kitchen. This design surrounds you with countertops and storage on three sides, creating an efficient and cozy workspace. It’s perfect for multiple cooks who need room for prep and cooking without moving too much.
- Galley Kitchen. The galley layout features two parallel counters, and there is an entrance/exit at their ends. Its quite popular in small kitchens as it makes movements much easier.
- Island Kitchen. This style is the go-to choice for modern homes. A central island provides extra prep space, storage, and seating. You can even use the island as a stove so that you can always reach the pot while moving around.
- Peninsula Kitchen: Similar to an island layout, but the counter extends from a wall or cabinet bank. This setup offers the same benefits as an island without needing as much floor space, hence it is ideal for medium-sized kitchens that still want an open feel.
Upgrade Your Kitchen Sink Area
Now that you have decided on the layout, the next thing to focus on is your kitchen sink and its adjoining areas.
You see, kitchen sinks are more than just a utility zone.
They are a design centerpiece as well. In most kitchen layouts, like U-shaped, L-shaped, and island, the sink is very prominent.
So, it needs to look good on top of working well.
Modern kitchen sinks are chock full of great utility features and look stunning, too.
They come in a variety of materials, fits, and designs.
Here’s what you need to know to choose a good sink for your kitchen.
Choose the right material.
Modern sinks come in various materials like stainless steel, composite granite, and fireclay.
Stainless steel sinks look sleek, are easy to maintain, and are highly resistant to staining.
Granite and quartz composite sinks are sturdy and have a unique look.
They also don’t have high maintenance requirements like real stone does.
Fireclay has a unique look and fits in well with rustic themes.
It is resistant to staining and can sustain high temperatures, so it’s good for smaller kitchens where the stove is somewhat near the sink.
Opt for a deep basin.
Deep basins are great for dealing with large pots and pans.
They let you free up countertop space in smaller kitchens.
Add functionality with accessories.
Many modern sinks come with Integrated cutting boards, drying racks, and colanders.
These features are great for letting you work efficiently in one place.
Install a pull-down faucet.
A stylish faucet with a flexible sprayer is great not only for looks but for convenience.
Just make sure to get it in the same material and color as the sink.
Maximize Storage and Organization
Traditional kitchen design focused more on deep cabinets instead of pull-out drawers.
While deep cabinets are good for storing large pots and pans, they are also pretty inconvenient to access.
In modern kitchens, convenience is a huge design factor.
So, consider redesigning your cabinets to use drawers instead.
Clutter in your kitchen also makes it look bad.
So, consider occupying the vertical spaces in your kitchen with various storage options to reduce it.
Here are some examples of what you can do to improve storage and organization in a convenient way.
- Use corner carousels to access hard-to-reach spots.
- Put some shelves on the walls to display decorations or your spice jars.
- Place hidden bins for waste and recycling.
You can even incorporate custom cabinetry or open shelving for a balanced mix of storage and style.
This way, you will have a nice-looking, yet functional kitchen.
Focus on Lighting and Materials
One critical part of kitchen design is the lighting and materials used for the various elements.
They are central not only to the aesthetics but also to the functionality of your kitchen.
Let’s start with lighting.
Lighting plays a huge role in defining your kitchen’s mood and functionality.
Whether you have cold fluorescent lighting or warm yellow tones can really set the mood and impact how the rest of the kitchen looks.
In modern kitchens, it is common to combine different types of lighting, such as ambient, task, and accent, to create a layered effect.
Here’s how you can do that.
- Hang pendant lights above an island. This adds warmth and character.
- Fix some light strips to provide under-cabinet lighting. These enhance visibility for cooking and prep work.
- Make sure there are some windows to let in natural light. This makes the space feel more airy and open.
As for materials, you need to aim for balance.
Keeping everything in one type of material is a good way to start, but it is really bland.
Instead, you should mix textures.
For example, a good combo is matte cabinets, stone countertops, and metallic accents. Together, these create depth and sophistication.
Naturally, different materials look good in specific colors.
So you will have to choose wisely to keep your color palette cohesive and neutral.
There are a couple of ways you can go about this.
It depends on what kind of theme you are going for.
Natural wood will look good if you are aiming for a rustic look.
So, cabinet doors, drawers, and countertops can be painted to look like wood or be made from composite wood.
For a more industrial or metallic look, you can look into brass and stainless steel options for countertops, door handles, sink accessories, faucets, etc.
You can check out our guide on using brass and gold plating for home decor to get more ideas.
The point is that you should look up what kinds of materials go well with the theme you are going for. This way, you can make the best choices.
Final Thoughts
So, to summarize, you will need to start your kitchen design by planning its layout.
There are several styles you can choose from according to the space you have available.
Then you should focus on the sink area, and then move on to the storage cabinets, drawers, and shelves.
Finally, you need to check out the lighting and the materials that you are going to use for everything.
That about sums up the whole process of creating a modern and functional kitchen space.
You can read more about the specifics of each step on our blog.
