A Kitchen Design That Will Make You Love Cooking Again

A Kitchen Design That Will Make You Love Cooking Again

The average American eats out between four and five times per week. Some boast eating out 10-15 times in a seven-day period. The cost of this habit equals a whopping $3,000 per year, and that’s money you’ll never see again.

People often choose to eat out because they don’t feel like cooking. Have you ever considered that perhaps your distaste for cooking is actually a distaste for your kitchen that isn’t conducive to the craft?

Maybe it’s time for a renovation. True, you’ll spend more on a kitchen renovation than you will eating out, but this is money you can recoup. Some people even make a profit on a tasteful kitchen renovation.

According to Houston property management and real estate company, Green Residential, a conservative kitchen remodel brings an investment ROI of 92.9 percent. This means that you’ll get back nearly all of your investment, along with other perks, when you sell your home.

“A glorious kitchen can bring offers left and right, and though it won’t automatically hide the larger structural issues, homebuyers will be more likely to overlook wallpaper similar minor flaws. It’s a great way to sell your home faster,” an article on their blog states.

To design a kitchen that will bring out your love of cooking while raising your property values, consider these ideas:

Better Space Planning

The most important kitchen update is better space planning. If your kitchen isn’t set up for efficient cooking and cleanup, it’s no wonder you don’t enjoy doing it.

“The best cook’s kitchens operate like conveyor belts,” Jan Weimer, a Los Angeles-based restaurant consultant, former chef, and author of Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels and Replacements Without Murder, Suicide or Divorce told ThisOldHouse. “They’re organized to accommodate cooking, cleanup and storage without your having to constantly double back.”

She recommends planning your kitchen according to how you cook. Separate the space into work zones and make a triangle-shaped path between your fridge, stove, and sink to simplify all kitchen-related tasks.

Upgraded Appliances

If your appliances are in good shape, it might seem like there’s no sense in upgrading. However, low-grade appliances may make cooking time-consuming and frustrating. Don’t you hate rummaging through an overcrowded refrigerator, bending down to use your oven, cleaning out soiled drip pans, and rewashing dishes in your dishwasher?

Consider investing in new appliances that make it easier to cook. A large, french-door style refrigerator with a freezer drawer makes organizing your chilled foods simple. An oven set into the wall rather than resting on the floor saves your back and lets you keep a closer eye on what’s baking. A flat-top or gas stovetop evens out stovetop cooking and streamlines cleaning.

As you can see, new appliances make a big difference and are well-worth the investment.

Improved Organization

Too many kitchen cupboards, drawers, and countertops are organized haphazardly and cluttered. Everyone hates rummaging through overstuffed drawers and cupboards. Thankfully, there are a number of organizational tools you can use to solve this problem.

Start with in-cupboard racks. These can be attached to sliders so that you can pull them out and see everything in the cupboard rather than blindly reaching to the very back. A magnetic strip can be used to hold your knives to the wall to save counter space. You could also attach a rack to the ceiling above your bar or island to store pots and pans.

These are just a few of many organizational hacks that will improve your cooking experience. Research more and find ways to add them to your own kitchen.

Overall Aesthetic

Although the overall look may not necessarily impact a kitchen’s efficiency, it does increase your desire to be there. An unsightly kitchen can proverbially banish you to other rooms, eating your takeout on the couch. A beautiful kitchen will be hard to avoid.

Focus on making lovely updates with good ROI. For example, if your cupboards are in good shape and you like the setup, don’t demolish them and install new, custom cabinets. Instead, reface and refinish the doors for a better appearance.

Flooring, backsplashes, countertops, paint, and other cosmetic and functional updates will also make your kitchen experiences better.

Revamping your kitchen design is a great way to revitalize your love for cooking. Filling it with the right utensils, stocking your pantry and fridge, and staying up to date on cooking hacks also makes cooking fun and easy. Say goodbye to unhealthy, expensive, commercially-prepared meals and hello to home cooking and family meal time.  

Kelly Tate
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