What's Cooking in Kitchen Design: Designing the Kitchen That Fits Your Personality

Approaching any home design project takes time and careful consideration. There is the layout, the floor plan, the products, the style. All choices you must make. But what do your choices say about your personality?

Whether you are a chef at heart, a busy mom or the consummate entertainer, let your kitchen showcase your inner talents.

Professional Chef In-Training

Serious cooks like a serious kitchen. So take your kitchen to a whole new level. That begins by repositioning the layout of the room and adding top-of-the-line, industrial-quality appliances to introduce a workspace worthy of any celebrity chef.

Creating an efficient work triangle can be the difference between a cooking mess and a cooking success. The kitchen work triangle is the distance between the sink, refrigerator and range or cooktop with each area becoming a focal point in the space. The idea is to conserve effort and maximize food preparation efficiency. Taking the time to calculate the appropriate distances between each will save you time and energy for years to come.

Once your design is ready, you want to shop for products that can meet and exceed your cooking needs. From six-burner stainless steel gas stoves to warming drawers and the Sub-Zero PRO, these are the bells and whistles of a true professional. Popular additions might include a pot-faucet above the stove, a separate vegetable sink, and a multi-function island to aid in each masterpiece.

Multitasking Mom

A mom's work is never done. And it seems that many daily activities take place right in the heart of the home – the kitchen. From preparing meals to helping with school craft projects, the kitchen needs to accommodate all tasks of a busy parent.

By opening the kitchen to the dining and living areas, the space appears larger and becomes central to all activities. The whole family can be together. Whether watching a ballgame on TV or doing homework at the table, an open kitchen area provides ample room for all.

Organization and multifunctional design elements can also make life a little easier. Large pantries, pull-out drawers and lazy-susans help maintain kitchen organization and keep counters clutter-free. Installing a large island in the kitchen creates a multi-function workplace with endless possibilities for use.

And don't forget the kid-friendly touches. Introducing a microwave at a lower height for older children and considering a computer station for those homework needs are priceless features.

Avid Entertainer

Design the kitchen that meets not only your needs as the party-thrower but also impresses the guests. For intimate gatherings and holiday parties, create the kitchen that accommodates all your hosting needs.

Entertaining in the home is a time-honored tradition. As the host or hostess, you often have several hats to wear and a lot of guests to please. Since you can't be in two places at once, make the most of your space. Open the kitchen, living and dining areas to allow for easy conversation without the isolation.

By positioning the range and primary food preparation areas to face the dining and living rooms, you can enjoy cooking and entertaining all at once.

Task lighting and undercabinet lighting can help set the mood while bar areas and island seating can provide additional space for guests to sit and relax. Counterspace for buffet service is a plus. And built-in wine refrigerators, pull-out refrigerated drawers for sodas and custom pantries provide all the necessary storage for your extra supplies.

Lastly, there's one feature that fits all personalities. From the chef to the mom to the host, there's nothing quite like a whisper-quiet dishwasher to help you relax after the job is done.

If your kitchen needs a new personality, feel free to contact DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen at 719-636-2444.