There has been lots of discussion over the years about the “Kitchen Triangle” – a concept that is rooted in the days when Mom did all the cooking while family members parked themselves at the table waiting to be fed. When the meal ended, everyone scattered and Mom was left behind to do all the clean-up. No more! Families have changed since Leave it to Beaver. In many households, both parents either work full-time or have schedules and lifestyles that make the kitchen the active center of the home with many people chipping in. Today, more than one person often cooks, preps and cleans up.
Islands are going to one-level, cabinet doors are either recessed or flat panel and low-maintenance countertops are gaining in popularity. These are just some of the observations we’ve made at Lobkovich Kitchen Designs over the past year. We design about 50 kitchens each year and are always looking at trends in kitchen design. Whatever you choose for your kitchen, it’s all about lasting fashion. Of course, the most important thing is that your new kitchen reflects your taste and works with your family’s lifestyle.
The placement of electrical outlets in a new kitchen always presents a unique challenge. One of the primary hurdles that you must cross in designing a new kitchen is adhering to local building codes. While electrical building codes vary by county, most jurisdictions require them to be located every 4 to 6 feet – with one or two on a kitchen island. The reasoning behind this regulation is to prevent hazards such as stretching a cord across the sink or across a passageway.
Everyone has a face. A kitchen is no different. As humans, our faces express our personality and mood. They are also the first thing we look at when connecting with others. Kitchen’s need a face as well – a focal point people notice first when they enter the space. A kitchen should express the mood and personality of the kitchen. While all elevations in the kitchen should have some interest, the face is the main event with all other elements supporting its leading role.
Since the beginning of human history, the source of water has been one of the most essential elements in the preparation of meals. In the modern day, the kitchen sink became the first “appliance” and remains the workhorse in every kitchen. Some surveys have indicated that we spend upwards of 75% of our time in the kitchen at the sink. This means getting the kitchen sink right in any kitchen design is essential.
Most kitchens have at least one corner. Designing corners presents a unique opportunity to maximize storage space. The traditional solution to the corner storage dilemma is the Lazy Susan. Lazy Susans offer a simple and effective solution. Either rotating or hinging doors are used to access a “two-sided” corner. The Lazy Susan includes a series of rotating shelves inside the cabinet. The best ones are mounted on shelves (which may be adjusted to specific heights), utilize the entire footprint of the corner, and have no center post to get in the way.