7 Overlooked Kitchen Design Details Part 2
A while back I put together a list of five kitchen design details that oftentimes get overlooked. But as time has gone on, I have realized there are other areas of the kitchen that get missed as well and I wanted to go over them with you!
Hopefully, this list and my first list will help you maximize your storage solutions and kitchen design as you embark on a small or large remodel. In case you missed it, here is a link to that first article.
Silverware and Utensils
Silverware, utensils, and knives are used daily for prepping, cooking, and eating. They need to be readily available and they are far easier to find if you have them organized in a drawer – I personally like to use drawers with slats to keep everything tidy and in its place.
Here are some examples of how we store these everyday items–all it takes is one drawer in your island or close to your prep space to be super useful.
Large Sinks
If you know me or have paid attention to my latest designs over the past few years, you know that I am a big fan of large sinks that you can get a lot of use out of. In conjunction with Nantucket Sinks I designed the Steppe Sink, which I use a lot. this two-tiered sink is designed with an eye on function. The Steppe sink features a full-depth basin plus a lowered platform and a custom dish drying rack for rinsing and air drying.
The point is, having a large sink can hide dirty dishes from visitors, hold more, and do more for you within your kitchen design, so I highly recommend going as big as possible, and in some kitchens we will do two side by side 30″ sinks!!
Lighting
Lighting, whether it be from natural light or fixtures, is ultra important in the kitchen. I love using different kinds of light fixtures and even helping to design one-of-a-kind lights like we did in the Tudor with a Twist project. Pendants over an island, sconces flanking or above beautiful windows, they all work together to create beautiful jewelry for a space but are also critical for the functioning of the kitchen (what is a home chef if they can’t see what they’re doing?).
Vertical Storage
Oftentimes homeowners will create a lot of storage solutions in their kitchen designs, but forget how many large flat items, like sheet pans and cutting boards, actually fill their drawers! I like to use either drawers (we call them “pullouts”) or cabinets that have verticle inserts in them to keep these items upright and organized. They are also easier to grab!
Spices and Oils
If you are the cook in your household, spices, and oils are plentiful and need to be within arm’s reach when you are prepping and cooking. I love a nicely organized spice drawer or cabinet where all of the spices are labeled beautifully, matching, and in alphabetical order. You can only do this, however, if you plan ahead for where these tiny jars will go.
The same goes for oils. I like using the small bit of space next to the range to store oils. They can stand upright easily, they are right next to where you are cooking, and use a space that otherwise may be forgotten in your kitchen – and I am all about using every square inch of space to its maximum.
Paper Towels and Dish Towels
In our last list, we talked about under-the-sink storage, and how important it is to have a dedicated space for cleaning products and supplies. We want to add to that and include a drawer equipped with a paper towel holder and plenty of space for dish towels. This usually resides next to the sink, but is equally as important as the under-the-sink storage. It is a small storage solution, but a mighty one.
Which of these do you think you can’t live without in your next kitchen? Let us know in the comments!