The kitchen has to be used for it to be alive. It should not be a fragile display that’s only meant to be looked at. The soul of a kitchen comes from its users. Give it care and attention and you will feel it reciprocate with loving family memories, treasured recipes, and meaningful experience
KEEP IT CLEAN
Cooking ingredients and oil can leave permanent stains or require a lot of muscle to remove if allowed to sit for a long period of time. Soy sauce, tomato paste, lemon juice, red wine, and vinegar are so potent that they can deeply permeate the top layer of your countertops or eat into the protective coatings of the appliances. Always wipe away spills as soon as they happen. Make it a habit to clean as you go.
Video by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels
It is ideal to have both hot and cold water sources in the kitchen to beat grease and grime before they solidify. Choose sinks with drain boards, install drip pans, or carve out drain lines on your countertop to control the water spillage and prevent cabinets from being damaged. Try not to have too many joints in countertops and backsplash materials or at least seal them well. Mold, seepage, and cracks often start here and they are difficult to rectify.
MAKE IT A HUB
It’s important to have a designated area in the kitchen where family members can engage in daily activities. Integrate a seating area in the kitchen structure or incorporate a table in the room design. This communal space must have comfortable seating and it should have easy access to the modern necessities.
These days everything is online. Plan in enough electrical sockets in the layout and make sure the area has a strong WIFI connection so that people really sit and stay. Smart features can also be included in the kitchen to make the entire space interactive for all family members. The modern lifestyle of today needs a dynamic kitchen that encourages communication and multitasking.
Whether it’s for charging your phone or the table you keep your recipes in, integrating USB sockets inside your kitchen drawers can be a smart and helpful addition!
GIVE IT LIGHT AND AIR
A hot and dark kitchen can be really depressing. The light temperature of the kitchen and the temperature of the atmosphere influence the mood and comfort of the users. Windows are essential for natural cross ventilation and light.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and tons of natural light can make any room feel more bright, airy, and spacious.
The air inside must move freely so that the smells and smoke inside the kitchen do not become stagnant and the user feels cool and refreshed. The artificial sources of suction and airflow are also crucial for a kitchen to properly function. An efficient exhaust hood will prevent the odors from spreading inside the house or sticking to the clothes, upholstery, and curtains. Consider also the make-up air source for kitchens that often use air conditioners in tropical climates. For the artificial light sources, make sure there is a balance of task, accent, and mood lighting. Use several switches and dimmers so that the lights can be adjusted or customized to your lifestyle needs.
DON'T OVERDO IT
Overstuffing cabinets and refrigerators leads to destruction, wastage, and neglect. People always buy more than they need, be it fresh ingredients, pantry items, or serving equipment. It is a nightmare to open a kitchen cabinet and see the shelves sagging with weight or a refrigerator that can no longer cool because it is filled to the brim. Most of the time you don’t even know half of what’s inside the pantry.
Another mistake is saving the best cutlery or plates only for special occasions. Don’t let it get out of hand. Arrange items so that they can be easily seen and identified. Store like items together or buy items that have similar themes. This way they can be mixed and matched and used more often. The kitchen is like a living thing. It needs to breathe and its parts need to be in constant motion to stay in good condition.
Add a little spice to your kitchen racks! These pull-out pantry shelves offer easy access and visibility in the cabinet to make sure you don’t miss any ingredients you need.
Planning your home kitchen can get overwhelming. Between choosing the right materials and deciding on the right style where should one begin? No worries, we developed this SieMatic checklist so you can always stay on top of your planning.
By answering this series of questions, we are able to understand and identify your wishes, interests, and kitchen requirements. This means that you won’t miss any important details in your planning, and you can purposefully start working towards your dream kitchen.
FIND THE RIGHT INTERIOR ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE
With the MultiMatic system, you can discover how to organize your cabinet and drawer interiors in a way that makes perfect sense just for you.
Don’t let the small space stop you from living in your dream kitchen. Watch and take inspiration from this lovely couple from Belgium as they tour you around their space-saving kitchen.
Inspired Spaces
Entertaining guests in your own home is one of the most precious joys in life. Watch and take inspiration from Dada Beltran on how she designed her kitchen to suit her love of sharing food with loved ones.
Our SieMatic design consultants are eager to help you plan a kitchen that meets your individual needs. Schedule a showroom visit or virtual design consultation with us to start!
