1. Don’t dismiss the kitchen’s potential as a modern-day parlor.
2. Don’t skip over the layout.
The most overlooked thing in kitchen design would be space design/planning. Everyone wants to jump straight to materials without thoroughly vetting the layout—this can be fatal, as you can’t “polish a turd.” No amount of expensive materials can compensate for a lack of planning.
3. Sniff out hidden opportunities.
The best kitchen remodels simplify an owner’s life and make efficient use of every available square inch. Sometimes this means considering what is hidden as much as what’s visible. With counter space at a premium, valuable space can be saved by designating an enclosed area to tuck away those space-sucking counter-top appliances and gadgets. It’s a great way to condense kitchen “clutter” into one enclosed space that can be out of sight and out of mind when not in use.
In our kitchen the appliance cabinet hides my food processors. I do have a popup cabinet for my Kitchenaid mixer, as it was too tall and is too heavy to carry around. It works great until I put it high and it just about jumps off the pull-up counter.
4. Don’t underestimate the power of lighting.
One of the most overlooked features in kitchen design is efficient, well-designed lighting. Not only is good lighting essential to the function of the kitchen, but it highlights and accentuates the design. Often lighting isn’t on the forefront of the client’s mind when they are thinking about new cabinets and appliances, so it can easily become an afterthought. [The kitchen] is the one room that I think all three types of lighting should be incorporated: ambient, task, and accent lighting.
Undercounter lighting can be added easily to a design. Many of them offer outlets, places for Iphones and Ipads. We have a TV mounted under the cabinets so I can watch cooking shows while I cook. Love the Great British Bakeoff.
5. Incorporate details that make everyday life easier.
6. Choose meaningful embellishments.
Homeowners tend to focus predominantly on the utilitarian components of their kitchen remodels (cabinets, appliances, plumbing fixtures, countertops) and place less emphasis on decorative elements such as tile, open shelves, visual art pieces. The kitchen is the heart of our homes and the most occupied space. Meaningful embellishments add beauty and a personalized touch to a kitchen remodel, such as a display of heirloom teacups, framed photography or original art.