{"id":2617,"date":"2018-04-26T22:45:00","date_gmt":"2018-04-26T22:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kitchenartdesign.com\/?p=2617"},"modified":"2023-10-27T01:43:49","modified_gmt":"2023-10-27T08:43:49","slug":"kitchens-are-for-cooking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kitchenartdesign.com\/kitchens-are-for-cooking\/","title":{"rendered":"Kitchens Are For Cooking: Building A Kitchen You’ll Actually Use"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Building a kitchen that you\u2019ll not only love \u2013 but will actually\u00a0use<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is a key pillar of our design mantra at Kitchen\u00a0Art\u00a0Design. We dedicate loads of time to ensure that every space we help create is usable, functional, and can take a beating – just as a kitchen should.<\/p>\n

In this post, we\u2019re discussing the aspects of a kitchen that need to address functionality, efficiency, and durability if they\u2019re to be used as kitchens, and not as a shrine to the food gods.<\/p>\n

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Showpiece Syndrome<\/b><\/h3>\n

Embarking on a dream kitchen renovation<\/a>\u00a0has one of two effects on homeowners \u2014\u00a0one<\/em><\/strong>, they\u2019ve held off on the change for too long, and they dive into using their new kitchen completely unhinged, attempting to make up for lost time; OR\u00a0two<\/em><\/strong>,<\/em>\u00a0the change to their space is so great that they end up tip-toeing around their new space, afraid to disturb, damage, dirty, or sully their new appliances, countertops, cupboards, or flooring.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0latter\u00a0is what we like to call,\u00a0Showpiece Syndrome<\/strong>. Liken this to owners of vintage automobile owners who trailer their vehicles to shows and competitions, rather than get behind the wheel and drive it there first-hand. Showpiece Syndrome is when a homeowner has trouble coming to terms with the very space they\u2019ve created. Sometimes, they feel almost unprepared to embrace their kitchen\u2019s quality and overall aesthetic, so, they seldom use it as it should be used!<\/p>\n

There\u2019s nothing wrong with coveting your investment. Giving your home a new heart, so to speak, can be tough to get used to – but at some point you\u2019ve gotta eat. If you\u2019re someone who thinks they may end up gently and carefully using the new space that\u2019s designed to sustain you and your family, don\u2019t be afraid to get the place dirty. Your dream kitchen is designed to be enjoyed by everyone – including you.<\/p>\n

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Making Functionality a Priority<\/b><\/h3>\n

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There\u00a0are\u00a0many factors that go into the design and execution of a kitchen makeover.\u00a0There are colour palettes<\/a>\u00a0and appliances to consider, materials, finishes, lighting, etc.\u00a0All viable places to focus one\u2019s energy \u2014 but if\u00a0those contributors aren\u2019t meshed in a way that allows them to function as one cohesive unit, the space will always feel fragmented. Instead, we begin with the basics of functionality, workflow, and how your specific space inspires an effective layout for cooking.<\/p>\n

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Workflow<\/b><\/h3>\n

Always think about the way you cook and the way you\u2019ll work in your new kitchen. Think about the placement of the most heavily used appliances, and where they\u2019ll need to be so they\u2019re within reach.<\/p>\n

Consider your cooking style: do you spontaneously move about the kitchen looking for ingredients and tools as you go, or do you tend to get everything out in front of you prior to getting started? Are you the family member who hosts everything from holiday dinners, to birthdays, and special celebrations? If you\u2019re the go-to host, your dream kitchen layout isn\u2019t probably going to look anything close to someone who works late 5 nights a weeks and is a serial takeout eater.<\/p>\n

\"Family<\/span><\/p>\n

These answers will ultimately dictate your preferred cooking workflow, and will shape the way your kitchen should be built for you both in terms of the physical square footage you\u2019ll need to accommodate your style, and a layout that compliments the way you plan to move and utilize your new features and amenities.<\/p>\n

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Layout<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Kitchen<\/p>\n

The layout of your space is crucial to the success and functionality of your new kitchen. You could have all of the space in the world, and afford yourself all of the most modern and up-to-date technology, as well as the most expensive of finishes \u2014 but if the layout of the kitchen doesn\u2019t flow well enough to cook a beautiful meal with efficiency and performance in mind, it\u2019ll always feel as though there\u2019s a forced energy to your dream kitchen.<\/p>\n

There are typically\u00a06 layouts<\/a>\u00a0that are designed and constructed in various spaces to maximize the available space, and streamline workflow to optimize the functionality of a kitchen.<\/p>\n