8 Kitchen Design Tips for Foodies
If you own at least one pricey knife and have a slew of kitchen tools, you’ll want to read this
Christine Tusher
April 20, 2014
Houzz Contributor
I cut my culinary teeth in a tiny apartment where a janky oven meant that cookies took twice as long to bake, and seared scallops nearly sent dinner guests home with smoke inhalation.
The upside of all that making-do meant I knew exactly what I wanted when the time finally came to move to a larger space and remodel the kitchen. I spent hours poring over solutions for everything from pot storage to dishwasher space, and while not every idea worked for our space, the fixes I found heavily influenced the end result.
Here are eight great tips to help your dream kitchen work beautifully.
The upside of all that making-do meant I knew exactly what I wanted when the time finally came to move to a larger space and remodel the kitchen. I spent hours poring over solutions for everything from pot storage to dishwasher space, and while not every idea worked for our space, the fixes I found heavily influenced the end result.
Here are eight great tips to help your dream kitchen work beautifully.
1. Buy the right vent hood. Vent hoods are rated by the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air they can suck from a room. While formulas for determining how much power you’ll need vary, you’ll want to start by acquainting yourself with the basics.
- There’s no point in buying a hood that’s larger than your range. It won’t really suck more smoke out, and it won’t look right either.
- Gas ranges generate more heat than electric ones, and thus require more powerful vent hoods.
- Maxxing out the CFMs isn’t always a good thing. For example, a 1,000-CFM vent hood will suck the air from a 10-by-10-by-10 room in about a minute, then will lose suction unless you have an HVAC system or an open window. So have your room dimensions handy to show the vendor when it’s time to buy.
2. Invest in proper knife storage. If you love to cook, chances are that you’ve spent a pretty penny on at least one good kitchen knife. But leaving it to rattle loosely in a cutlery drawer will dull and damage its blade – and pose a serious threat to your fingers.
Kitchen knives should be stored in a way that keeps them separate and organized, with their blades horizontally oriented so the knife never rests on its blade.
While my knives are currently housed in the block they came in, I plan to commandeer a little-used drawer and add a knife block like this one.
Kitchen knives should be stored in a way that keeps them separate and organized, with their blades horizontally oriented so the knife never rests on its blade.
While my knives are currently housed in the block they came in, I plan to commandeer a little-used drawer and add a knife block like this one.
3. Pull out your pans. This ingenious pullout eliminates messy stacks of pots.
4. Stash pot lids in a rollout. Pot lids can be the bane of any home chef’s existence, jamming drawers and preventing pots from stacking properly. To solve this problem, use a shallow rolling drawer to neatly stash lids for the pots below.
5. Keep cooking utensils off your countertop. Keeping spatulas and whisks in a countertop jar may make storing these awkwardly shaped utensils easy, but it also creates clutter. Consider replacing a narrow cabinet near your stove with a custom pullout to keep utensils close at hand.
6. Create extra prep space. This small San Francisco kitchen was in desperate need of extra prep space. The solution: a custom rolling cutting board and base cabinet that can be pulled out should the sous-chef need some extra elbow room.
7. Make your faucet a soaker. I was wary of a soaker hose’s high profile poking up above our breakfast bar, but my husband talked me into it. And boy, am I glad he did! It blasts water off dirty dishes, cools pasta in no time flat and ensures that every corner of our sink is sparkling clean.
8. Consider a dishwasher with a utensil drawer. The last thing I want to do when I entertain is to disturb guests with the clatter of hand washing dishes, but I don’t want to wake up to a mess either.
Choosing a dishwasher that can comfortably accommodate a heavy load was very important to me. The model I chose has a narrow utensil drawer that slides out above the top rack, freeing space below for unwieldy pots and large stacks of dishes. A year later I can definitely say this was one of the best decisions we made.
Foodies, tell us: What is your dream kitchen must-have?
More: 8 Kitchen Amenities You’ll Really Wish You Had
Choosing a dishwasher that can comfortably accommodate a heavy load was very important to me. The model I chose has a narrow utensil drawer that slides out above the top rack, freeing space below for unwieldy pots and large stacks of dishes. A year later I can definitely say this was one of the best decisions we made.
Foodies, tell us: What is your dream kitchen must-have?
More: 8 Kitchen Amenities You’ll Really Wish You Had
A.I.S Renovation is a leading contractor in the central Ohio area. Since 1989, we have been committed to client's... Read More
Related Products
With over 8 years of experience serving the Columbus and surround area, Hoffman Exteriors, is your solution for... Read More
Related Stories
Kitchen Backsplashes
30 Bold and Beautiful Range Backsplashes
Get ideas for eye-catching tile and stone backsplashes inside stove alcoves and behind cooktops
Full Story
Kitchen Design
7 Essential Features of a Well-Designed Kitchen
Make sure your new kitchen not only looks good but also functions beautifully
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Map Out Your Kitchen Remodel’s Scope of Work
Help prevent budget overruns by determining the extent of your project, and find pros to help you get the job done
Full Story
Kitchen Storage
Foolproof Storage Solutions for Corner Kitchen Cabinets
By tidgboutique
Consider Lazy Susans, pullouts and more to maximize storage
Full Story
Trending Now
The 10 Most Popular Kitchens So Far in 2024
Get inspired by the warm neutral palettes, ample storage and inviting islands in these most-saved new photos on Houzz
Full Story
Houzz TV
5 Trends for Kitchen and Bath Products in 2024
See fascinating new features for showers, tubs, faucets and more launched at the 2024 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show
Full Story
Kitchen Backsplashes
Where to Start and Stop Your Backsplash
By tidgboutique
Consider these designer tricks to work around cabinets, windows and other features for a finished look in your kitchen
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Find Your Kitchen Style
If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, here’s how to find inspiration and start narrowing down your choices
Full Story
Kitchen Design
15 Stylish Kitchen Range Hood Ideas
Get ideas for hood shapes, sizes and looks that can elevate a kitchen’s design while ridding it of bad air and odors
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Follow these start-to-finish steps to achieve a successful kitchen remodel
Full Story
Mix and match Islands!
When you want to try something trendy, consider making the island the focal point of the room. Different color or better yet, different countertop. Complementary of course!
We helped this homeowners with colors because she wanted to do something trendy yet something that wouldn't go out of style. The island is ebony black but in the same door style as the rest of the kitchen.
The results are trendy, yes but this design isn't ever going to look old or dated. Nailed it!
More ideas: www.kitchenmagic.com/gallery
Small appliance storage; Vertical Spice Racks(TM), 3-basin sink; prep sink in the island; microwave and toaster oven isolated so a snacking husband is not underfoot; dedicated pastry area set 2" below standard countertop height.