By Callum Kitchen Design Ideas: Things to Avoid
No No #1: Marble Counters
Marble is synonymous with luxury, but not the best of kitchen design ideas. However, it is a very high maintenance counter surface. Marble requires regular polishing and is prone to staining. Another issue with marble is acid etching, which dulls the surface of polished stone. This means that when any acidic fruits, vegetables, or condiments, such as vinegar, come into contact with the surface you will risk damaging the finish.
A better kitchen design idea is to use marble style engineered quartz or quartzite. Engineered quartz is a durable material that is fabricated from natural stone. It is low maintenance and high performance. Because engineered quartz is manmade, the patterns and colors are nearly limitless. One of the latest trends in engineered quartz is the recreation of marble patterns. With this combination you get the best of both worlds!
Quartzite is a natural stone. It comes in many beautiful neutral colors and natural patterns. It has a similar look to marble, but it is a much more durable surface and does not require the maintenance that marble requires. From a kitchen design standpoint, quartzite is my top pick for a natural stone counter surface!
No No #2: Dinky Islands
Having an island in your kitchen for the sake of having an island is not among the best kitchen design ideas. Islands require a certain amount of space around them for proper functioning of appliance and to allow enough space for performing activities of daily living.
This means that if you have a smaller kitchen and you try to force an island into that space, your island may be very small. Islands that are too small become less functional because they can create a barrier you need to walk around to access your essential appliances, such as your sink, cook top, and refrigerator, i.e. triangle.
Although there are no guidelines as to minimum kitchen island sizes, your island should be at minimum 24″ deep by 48″ long. This is especially true if you aren’t using the island to warehouse your sink or a range/cook top.
No No #3: Work areas too spread out
A properly designed kitchen triangle and kitchen work zones are essential for creating a comfortable and functional kitchen. The best kitchen design ideas are ones that keep the essential appliances – refrigerator, sink, and cook top/range – within 4-9 feet from each other, and that group together the major tasks of the kitchen – food prep, food storage, and clean up.
This means that you will take fewer steps to
Key Takeaways
Designing a kitchen takes a lot of thought and planning. You may have to compromise and you may not be able to create a perfect kitchen because of space or structural limitations. However, you can maximize the space with great kitchen design ideas that help improve the comfort and function of the activities and tasks associated with cooking and clean-up!
There are so many things to consider when you prepare your home for retirement. It can seem overwhelming and at the end of the day you still want your home to look stylish. If your desire is create a chic, timelessly beautiful home that will support you throughout your retirement, then you will want to start by downloading your copy of “Designing a Retirement Ready Home” checklist! This list will help you make remodeling and design decisions effortlessly!