If you’re that homeowner, the one who loves cooking, food, and entertaining, then your kitchen is essential to your happiness with your home. A lackluster kitchen can be a real bummer. And that dull kitchen likely led you here, dreaming about a beautiful, functional space to prepare meals and host guests.
As an interior remodeling contractor, the Lakeside Renovation and Design team knows that a gourmet kitchen is paradise for a homeowner who loves to cook. And your home should be a place that makes you excited on a daily basis.
Here are some ways your kitchen renovation can transform your current space into the gourmet kitchen of your dreams.
Questions to Get Your Gourmet Kitchen Renovation Started
- What do I like to cook? The type of dishes you prepare will determine what elements and cooking utensils your kitchen will need.
- How many cooks will be in my kitchen? If you aren’t the only cook in the family or cooking is a full family event, your kitchen will need the space for multiple people.
- Do I enjoy cooking, baking, or entertaining? What do I need to store for these undertakings? You can enjoy all three, but whatever you enjoy, you’ll need to account for the storage to house ingredients, serving dishes, or fun stemware and dishes.
- Will my kitchen be used for entertaining? If guests will actually eat in the kitchen or graze snacks in the area while you cook, you’ll want to incorporate entertainment space into the design.
- What do I use daily? The gadget and appliances that are routinely used should be easy to access. The right designer can create innovative ways of storing or showing off these appliances.
A Thoughtfully Designed Layout
The most essential element of a cohesive kitchen is the layout. This determines the usefulness of the space and lays the foundation for the aesthetics. It needs to be well thought out and make sense for your family’s particular needs.
The layout should be centered around the three main elements of a kitchen: the sink, the refrigerator, and the cooking range. If your stovetop and oven are separate entities, they should be thought through individually. Keeping these elements properly spaced helps to create the right flow and prevent overcrowding in the kitchen. Try to space these elements four to nine feet apart, depending on the scale of your kitchen. Then configure the rest of the kitchen layout around them. The dishwasher near the sink can make cleanup easier. Cupboards housing cookware can be placed near the range top for easy access.
Working with a construction company that also has an in-house design team can be one of the best ways to achieve a practical design that also wows guests. The two entities work together toward a common goal to make your space as functional as possible, making every aspect of your kitchen perfect for your specific desires.
Ample Countertop Space
The more you love to cook, the faster your countertops become cluttered. In fact, counter space is high-value real estate in a kitchen. Make sure your gourmet kitchen has plenty of areas for food preparation. This can include the spacing between your essential kitchen elements as well as a large island.
Be thoughtful of the material you select for your counters. A material like quartz is far easier to clean and less stain-prone than true marble or granite countertops.
Plentiful Storage
A tidy kitchen requires a great deal of storage space—and innovative storage at that. Ensure your gourmet design has space to house all of your appliances, cookware, dishware, and ingredients. A large walk-in pantry and plenty of cupboards help make your kitchen clean and functional.
Take some time to consult with your interior remodeling contractor about innovative storage ideas, such as countertop cupboards with outlets for toasters or blenders. Such ideas can make appliances ready to use while being hidden and easy to put away.
Commercial Appliances
Splurging on appliances will afford your space the best function and beauty. High-end kitchens have high-end appliances, so feel free to set an adequate budget for this area. The kitchen truly revolves around the appliances.
Stainless steel appliances or custom appliances designed to match your cabinetry are popular high-end choices. But when it comes down to it, gourmet kitchens will require French door style refrigerators and freezers with plenty of shelving. Smart appliances, like the refrigerator or microwave, are also a great option. You’ll also want your kitchen to have a gas range rather than electric. The heat is distributed more evenly, providing better cooking results.
Double Duty
If you truly want to take your kitchen from a simple kitchen to a full gourmet dream, remember that two is often better than one.
Double ovens offer double the cooking space. Two islands allow for a designated preparation area and a separate entertainment spot. Not to mention, this is a popular modern design trend. Two sinks keep multiple persons from being overwhelmed in the space. Consider placing one sink on your countertop and a second on your preparation island. Dual cabinet colors are another modern design trend that adds appeal to the look of your kitchen.
Specialty Features
The little things make all the difference in taking a regular kitchen to the gourmet level. Don’t overlook the small details. Consider your needs as a cook, and contemplate installing:
- pot filler
- warming drawer
- convection oven
- drink refrigerator or wine chiller
- built-in coffee maker
- deep fryer
- pizza oven
These additional elements can really elevate your kitchen.
Your Kitchen Can Be Everything You Imagine
The point of a gourmet kitchen is to have the cooking space of your dreams. This doesn’t happen by accident. It comes to life only when innovative design and construction come together, which is exactly what our team excels at.
At Lakeside, we staff an in-house design team to create an interior remodeling construction team that melds design and craftsmanship. We believe this brings about the greatest kitchen renovations. And we want to see you enjoying the kitchen of your dreams. For more kitchen inspirations and design concepts, take a look at our kitchen renovation gallery.
