Kitchen Design Ideas You Haven’t Thought of Yet
As we open our homes to welcome family and friends in for holiday celebrations, it’s often during this busy season that we notice little improvements or details that may have been left out of the original design. Little changes that make a room more functional or those that add visual interest or complete the room’s look are equally as important and, although seemingly miniscule, can be the finishing touches your space needs.
In the kitchen, decisions on cabinetry, countertop surfaces, wall colors and tile choices can often override smaller details. Below are a few kitchen design details that are equally important you may not have thought of yet.
The little lighting extras – The kitchen is a unique living space because it serves multiple purposes from utilitarian food prep to socializing and relaxing. For this reason, your kitchen lighting design should incorporate more than a few recessed cans. The American Lighting Association recommends using a combination of interesting suspended lighting, undercabinet lights, as well as specific lighting for over the bar and island areas. Make sure you include dimmers for ultimate ambiance control and energy efficiency.
Power sources – Move beyond building code requirements for GFCIs and outlet spacing and harness your creativity. Use hidden power outlets, like the angled power strips shown on Houzz. By mounting your outlets underneath the cabinets, you don’t have to worry about unsightly interruptions in your tile work or natural stone slabs.
Smart mounting – Houzz shows how you can Build a Smarter Kitchen by providing docs for smartphone charging and undercabinet mounting for tablets. They allow you to watch a favorite cooking show or have access to your favorite recipes at a glance – plus, they help save countertop space!
Prioritize wine storage – We are always fans of high-tech and glamorous wine storage, or private wine cellars, but it’s also beneficial to build simple and attractive wine storage right into your kitchen space. Adding a rack under your cabinets is a great way to keep a few favorites readily available for your next dinner party or unexpected guests. For more ideas, check out our post on Interesting Wine Storage Solutions for inspiration on ideal, easy-access wine storage options for your kitchen.
You can read about additional ideas in the Forbes article, 7 Awesome Add-ons for Kitchen Cabinets. Or, contact TMS Architects. We’d love to discuss your ideas for an upcoming new construction or renovation and help you plan your project so those crucial details big and small are not forgotten!
