From the kitchen unit to the flooring: Designing the kitchen of your dreams

Remodeling the kitchen is perhaps the most daring and exciting project you can take up as a homeowner. Whether you’ve just moved into a new place and are full of creative ideas about what you could do with the space, or have lived in your home for many years and believe it’s time for a change, you’ll undoubtedly find a lot of ideas about what you could do across the internet and in home design magazines. But with so many ideas, it’s not always easy to decide what would work best for you. 

For many people, the kitchen is the cornerstone of the home. While there are endless possibilities about how you could decorate it, with a kitchen remodel, the expectations are also higher. You don’t want to work hard for a design only to realize it didn’t turn out as you envisioned it when you started. With that in mind, have a look at the following tips to get a good idea of some practical solutions that you could use so your dream kitchen will become a reality. 

Pick the right cabinets 

Cabinets are arguably the most important part of a kitchen. They are not only crucial for storage space but are also a vital part of the overall design. When you choose them, you must always keep them in mind to create a cohesive ensemble. Pick a kitchen unit that is both durable and stylistically pleasant. Solid wood is a common material choice, as it provides resilient surfaces that aren’t prone to staining and scratching. Acrylic and gloss kitchens are also popular due to their sleek, modern appearance. Any spillage can be wiped out quickly with a tissue, so it’s the preferred choice if you want to save time cleaning. 

When it comes to the color palette, the sky’s the limit. Monochromatic kitchens have come back in style, so if you believe you can commit to the style, a wholly cobalt blue or dark red kitchen can be the exact thing you’re looking for. If that sounds like too much, you can keep the bright colors and add a different shade, such as white, beige or grey, to balance it out. If you are a fan of minimalistic interiors, you can choose a more subdued palette in ecru, light grey or dark faded green. These colors won’t ever go out of style and will stay looking fresh and fashionable no matter how much the trends change. 

Invest in a good stove 

If you’re an avid cook or baker, you know that not all stoves are created equal. When you choose a suitable appliance, your recipes will turn out better, and you’ll have all the more reason to invite guests over to show off your prowess in the kitchen. Since it’s a vital part of any kitchen used pragmatically, you might want to splurge on something a bit fancier. For example, you could pick a stove designed for industrial use. While coming with a heftier price, the investment is more than justified given how this type of oven is likely to be much sturdier while offering more finesse. You won’t have to worry about the bottoms of your pastries and pies becoming scorched and blackened again. 

As they are generally larger, industrial-type ovens are great if you’re the type that enjoys throwing regular dinner parties. You’ll save time by fitting larger trays inside, a feat you couldn’t achieve with regular stoves.

Make it meal friendly 

Let’s face it, while there are many beautiful designs you can observe in the glossy pages of magazines, very few seem practical, and like they would serve their purpose in real life. Your home isn’t a designer’s playground but the place where you should feel most comfortable and at ease. This includes having a kitchen in which you can cook and have meals. Such a kitchen is especially important if you have young children and are looking to instill healthy eating habits in their behavior. It’s no easy task, but it’s more likely to stick if the little ones sense that the whole family is following the same habits. When the parents do something, the kids are very likely to try and emulate the behavior. 

Choose a kitchen table that can accommodate all of you and comfy chairs that you won’t mind spending longer sitting on as you tell each other stories about how your day went. If you want to add a kitchen island, it can also serve as a great makeshift table for dinner or a more hurried snack time. 

Choose the flooring 

You probably haven’t carefully considered this aspect. After all, with so many renovation aspects to consider, thinking about what’s underneath your feet might not fit in with your plans. But it should. Flooring is fundamental and can make or break the way your kitchen looks. Hardwood is an obvious choice, given that it is hardy and can easily be sanded and refinished if it becomes scratched or dented. Wooden flooring is also an asset if you’re considering selling your home someday, as it can increase price value. 

Bamboo is even more durable than wood. Resistant to moisture and water damage, it is also more expensive, and you’ll need to get a professional to help if you want to refinish it. However, bamboo flooring is sturdy and looks all-around excellent paired with all types of cupboards and appliances, so it’s worth it. 

Stone tiles are becoming increasingly popular among buyers, and it’s not hard to see why. This type of floor will make your kitchen look luxurious and elegant. If well-maintained, it can last in perfect condition for decades. Granite and slate are the most long-lasting and hard-wearing options that’ll withstand the natural wear and tear of the kitchen. Limestone, marble and sandstone have a soft, aesthetically pleasing look but are not well-equipped to be resistant in the long run. 

It is no easy business figuring out what you want to do with your kitchen. Take your time, weigh all your options and make careful choices. It’s the best way to see the final wrap come together perfectly.