HOT PROPERTY
This content is produced by the B2B Publishing team of the LA Times. It does not involve thereporting staff of the LA Times.
Awell-designed kitchen starts with alist of essentials to consider.
Photo courtesy of
Content That Works
WHAT YOU NEED FOR A WELL-DESIGNED KITCHEN
When
you decide it’s time to renovate your kitchen, you want to equip it with the all-important basics. If it turns out you’re under budget, feel free to get those specialty things. For right now, though, put your money
towards the most important kitchen items.
Custom Layout Everyfamily’sneeds areunique andshould be reflectedinthe layout. WhenSharon Flatley, an interiordesigner in Dallas,starts aproject,she asks alot of questionslikethe numberoffamily and friendswho will want to gather in thekitchen,and whowill be preparingorassisting with foodprep. “This determines the general layout,”she says.“Ithen shop for appliances that bestfill theneedsof the homeowners.”This is critical because the morespecific layout follows theselection of the appliances.
Good Ventilation It’snot only critical to keeping grease and other contaminants outofthe airbut it’s also acode requirementinmostareas,says Flatley. About apound of grease peryear can be expelledinto the air from cooking, she says.Proper ventilation takesout anycooking odors,steam, or heat.
Enough Counter Space It doesn’t matter if youhave adrop-dead gorgeouskitchen: If it doesn’tfunctionwell— perhapsthereare notenough flat surfacesto chop vegetables or setupacoffee station— you’ll quickly dislikeyournewly remodeled space andnot useit.
PlentyofStorage The morecabinetsthe better.You’llneed room forthe basics likeflatware, dishes,glasses,and pots andpans. And you’ll needmore cabinetspace for specialty items like woks and air-fryers.And of course,you’llneed space for groceries too.
Essential Lighting Abeautifully detailed spacefalls flat if it is notproperlyilluminated, says Flatley. “Good lighting is critical in akitchenfor workspace efficiency and safety.” Plan on incorporating allthree types of lighting:tasklighting,which
givesyou enough light to do achore,like stirring apot on the stove; ambient lighting, which allowsyou to maneuverinaspace to see clearlyand avoidfalling; andaccent lighting, which illuminates something significantsuch as an art object.
DurableFlooring Sincethe kitchen is heavilytrafficked, your floor mustbestrong and toughtohandle the crowd. Flooring comesinmanyforms, including natural stone, concrete, ceramic and porcelain. Someofthem offer awood-like appearance.
Distinct Aesthetic When designing, youalwayswant to create an aestheticordecorated space that celebrates the homeowners’ style and personality, Flatleysays. At the same time,you want to create atimelessnessthatcontinues to resonate both with the architectural styleand homeowners.
Attractive Backsplash It’s aboutmorethan just aesthetics, though.
“Creating abeautiful backsplash is allpart of the design,”saysFlatley, “but it also serves a very practicalpurpose:preventing food from splattering on the wall behind thecountertop.”
CTW Features
Contact us with comments or questions at hotproperty@latimes.com.
