When a couple buys or builds a home, they always seem to pay a lot of attention to the kitchen. With most couples, there’s usually one person who loves to cook; most often it’s the woman. But for everyone, male or female, young or old, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. The kitchen is often the hub of the home, the center of activity. Someone spends time preparing food, creating something fun, or trying a new recipe in it. People tend to gather where there’s food.
So don’t miss this: kitchens are important!
Men sometimes underestimate the importance of this room. We love our garages, grills, decks, and patios. But the kitchen? We can completely miss its importance.
It’s important to remember when you are designing a home to consider the resale value and design accordingly. A well-designed and functional kitchen not only makes the cook happy, it also ensures a greater resale value.
A person who loves to cook or create culinary masterpieces for family and friends absolutely needs a spacious and well-appointed kitchen. On the other hand, if a cook wants to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen, then your design and layout can be simpler. Kathy doesn’t spend much time in her kitchen, but she likes the spacious layout so she and her husband can be there together. Kathy says the chopping and stirring are more enjoyable with her husband there. Additionally, he likes the organization of a well- planned room.
When selecting kitchen cabinets, look for quality. This is not the place to be overly consumed with trying to save money. Well-made cabinets will provide lasting pleasure and functionality for decades. Drawers (as opposed to cabinets with doors) are more useful and efficient even compared to cabinets with pullout drawers. In addition, choose hard surface, durable, and high quality countertops. There are a variety of colors and selections available. Granite is an ideal counter surface for the most important room in the house.
What about appliances? Don’t skimp here, either. You don’t have to purchase the absolute top of the line, but good quality appliances help sell homes. Today it’s becoming very popular to have two dishwashers. Often the cost of an additional dishwasher is only slightly more than the cost of the additional cabinetry it replaces In order to make the most important room in your house spectacular, consider adding some of these other features: warming drawers, double ovens, convection microwaves, pot fillers, espresso and coffee bars, hidden pantries, elevated dishwashers for easy access, vegetable sinks in the island (in addition to the main sink), instant hot water dispensers, and purified water faucets.
When you design your home, be sure the kitchen is given special consideration and that its relationship to other rooms, functions, and features are the best you can provide. It will make a difference for years to come.
The bottom line
Don’t treat your kitchen like any other room in your home. This is the one room that deserves special treatment.