Creating a smarter kitchen space

Our homes are where we thrive, relax, spend time with family and feel the most comfortable. The statement “the home is where the heart is” could probably be changed to “the kitchen is where the heart is”. Each section of our home serves a different purpose and should be designed to suit this purpose in the most effective manner. Our kitchens are no different, and— although some may disagree—are the most important space in our homes.

The kitchen is essentially the central hub of the house, where you cook (or heat your meals if you don’t cook often), prepare snacks, entertain guests, have a cup of relaxing tea or whip up something special in a spontaneous moment. Hence this space must be suited to your needs where everything is easily accessible and within reach.

There are a multitude of options for all kinds of kitchen spaces whether it’s a grand space or a small, compact one. Revamping your kitchen is an exciting venture and as a first step you should consider what are your primary goals then work slowly to achieve these. Some of these goals include:

• Making the kitchen more accessible e.g. installing easy roll out draws or slide-away cabinet doors, installing lower faucets for families with children or simply installing motorised cabinets or doors.
• Increasing the functionality of your kitchen e.g. installing more cabinets or wall mounted storage space such as shelves, utensil organizer, pots and pan hangers or simply a paper towel holder
• Improving the design of the kitchen—making it a more attractive space- this could mean re-painting, installing new lighting or even changing the entire look of your kitchen with new hardware

Your goals may only include one of these or all of these, whatever they are, planning is key, and a step which you need to take seriously.

If you plan on staying in your home for a while, ensure that in your re-modelling efforts you take into account that you are getting older and your kitchen needs to reflect this. The type of flooring should be non-slip and comfortable, so as to avoid any injuries (spills are common in kitchens!) and allow you to stand for long periods of time (for all those budding chefs and lovers of cooking). You could opt for materials such as cork, carpeting or vinyls—fortunately these options are cheaper anyway!

Another key point for your consideration is lighting, often overlooked. Natural light is always the best and means less electricity bills so make efforts to let in as much natural light as possible. Try installing lighting underneath cabinets or task lighting for a brighter more accessible space. Your cooking efforts will be easier and you will avoid any nasty accidents. One should also be conscious of your environmental impact and you can do your bit by installing environmentally friendly light bulbs, compost bins.

As you can see there are many things to take into account, and a final piece of advice is to go slowly and plan ahead. After all, your kitchen is a like a mini-factory where every component matters.