Simple things can make or break a kitchen design. Knowing the differences between what looks good and what is functional, is the key to creating an amazing kitchen layout. After consulting with one of our own kitchen designers here at Sims-Lohman, we have come up with three important points to consider when designing or remodeling a kitchen.

Consider the Functionality

One of the most overlooked cabinet design flaws is very simple. It comes down to the direction of cabinet hinges. In a kitchen workspace, such as the sink or range, the doors on either side of the space should hinge away from you. If they hinge towards you, the cabinet door then blocks easy access to the cabinet space. Without skilled planning, this is often overlooked. It is however, something customers cannot stand! Imagine putting dishes away and all the cabinet doors open the wrong direction! Spending a little time thinking about something as little as the way a door opens can make or break the functionality of your kitchen.

Create Zones

The dated “triangle” kitchen design was once considered to be the standard for kitchen layout. It is an imaginary triangle drawn between the kitchen sink, the range, the refrigerator and back to the kitchen sink. This design is functional providing there is only one cook in the kitchen using the three workspaces. Modern kitchens encourage gathering in the kitchen, multiple cooks and plenty of eating space. Today’s kitchens should reflect “zones.” These cooking and seating zones will create ample space for multiple cooks and guests without hindering the accessibility of the essentials.

Avoid Gadget Overload

We are all guilty of fantasizing about HGTV novelty kitchen gadgets and scanning Pinterest for the newest kitchen “hacks,” but let’s be honest. We do not use these gadgets long-term and they take up valuable countertop and cabinet space. The rule is, keep it simple. Those pull-out spice racks, which definitely look hip, are expensive and aren’t nearly as functional as one you can hang on the back of a door. There are simple options like plastic or wood insert cutlery dividers and tray partitions that you can buy for significantly less than the cost of a drawer with dividers built-in. Plus, if you are like most people and love to switch up your drawer or cabinet design every once in a while, inserts can be moved while built-ins are built in! Spend that money on upgrading your sink or faucet. Beware of the bling!

At the end of the day we all want the same thing from our kitchen: a functional space for cooking and entertaining. Remembering “what not to do” will help prevent unnecessary costs and design flaws. Keep it simple!