Kitchens are the heart of the home. They are used for cooking, socializing and catching up with family after a long day. Since kitchens are popular gathering spaces for both family and friends, it’s no surprise that many households see them as a multi-purpose space.
If you are looking to remodel your kitchen, it’s important to think about its function in addition to its appearance. As the hub of the home, you want your kitchen to not only look great but function well, too. This way, everyone in the home can benefit from this unique and personalized space.
Below are some of our best design tips for a multi-functional kitchen for your Los Angeles home.
Consider Your Layout
If you’re doing a major remodel, now is the time to change the layout of your kitchen. There are many more options than you’re probably aware of. Many homes in Los Angeles have the traditional L-shaped kitchen, which includes two adjacent walls running perpendicular to each other.
L-shaped layouts are adequate for both small and large kitchens, and they provide a nice open work space. Other designs to consider are U-shaped kitchens, G-shaped kitchens, galley kitchens, one wall kitchens and island kitchens. Work with your kitchen remodeling company to determine the best fit for your space, as they can help you take plumbing, electricity and workflow into account.
Create Zones for Each Purpose
Zoning is the best way to ensure that your kitchen meets all of your needs. For example, you can create a breakfast nook that doubles as a homework space. To help you stay organized, install a cabinet for storing school-related items like paper and pencils. Or, a large kitchen island can double as a homework zone, and you can store items in the cabinets instead.
Take Advantage of Closed Storage
When creating a design for your kitchen, think about your storage needs. Not only are you storing dishes, silverware and pots and pans, but also you may need storage for small appliances, office supplies, towels, paper products, cleaning supplies and more. The kitchen is a great space to store these items because you can keep them in one accessible location and tucked away out of sight.
Expand Your Space with a Butler’s Pantry
Butler’s pantries are popular right now. These intermediary rooms are typically between a dining room and kitchen, though they can be placed in other areas off the kitchen as well. Their main purposes are for storage and staging. For example, those awkward appliances you don’t want to keep on your counters – stand mixers, coffee machines, juicers – can be stored away in a butler’s pantry.
You can also use a butler’s pantry as a cocktail bar, wine storage or coffee bar. The benefit is that it’s out of the way of your cooking space but still within reach. If you love to host, you’ll definitely love having this space where you can prepare food without guests standing over you.
Choose Neutral and Durable Elements
Since kitchens get a ton of use, it’s important to choose durable materials and finishes. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself having to replace them sooner than you’d like. Also choose neutral design elements so that your kitchen can be functional for all of your needs.
Over time, families change, which means your needs will, too. The breakfast nook once used for homework may now be used for reading the morning paper or snuggling with grandkids. Keeping things neutral ensures your space can always grow with you.
Planning a kitchen remodel in Los Angeles? Contact Kavin Construction to learn more about our home remodeling services. We can help you design and build your dream kitchen that will last for generations!
