When you remodel your kitchen, you get a fresh start and an opportunity to add in all the features and accessories you’ve found yourself longing for during your time in your current home.
Everyone’s wish-list for their dream kitchen looks a little different based on numerous factors, such as the size of your family, how you primarily use your kitchen besides cooking and your daily routine. As you customize your kitchen upgrade in Northern Illinois, you’re only limited by your available space, time and budget. Beyond that, you have the latitude to reconfigure the space and add in new features for a more functional and attractive kitchen.
Kitchen Remodel Must-Haves
While there are certain kitchen features that appeal to specific lifestyles—such as a coffee bar, hanging wine rack or a pet feeding station—others add value and enhance the function of the space no matter who you are. Not only do these useful features add comfort and convenience to your homelife, but they also have long-lasting appeal that makes them worth the investment. As you’re designing your kitchen makeover in Sycamore, here are a few dream kitchen ideas to consider incorporating:
1.Under Kitchen Cabinet Storage
Adequate storage is a critical component of a functional, efficient kitchen, whether the space is large or small. As you’re remodeling your kitchen, explore the various ways you can maximize storage with creative solutions. For example, adding an under-cabinet storage shelf below your top kitchen cabinetry and above your countertop can help eliminate clutter and streamline your organizational strategy. Another option is to install toe-kick drawers under your base cabinets. They help you utilize the otherwise dead space between your cabinets and the floor for additional storage.
2. Kitchen Cabinet Accessories
Along the same vein, you can optimize your kitchen cabinets with various accessories that enable you to store more items and in a more efficient manner. For your remodeled kitchen, think about customizing your cabinets with deep drawers, dividers and inserts that are designed to help you organize all your kitchen essentials, from pots and pans to dishware, spices and gadgets. You can also install a hidden pullout lift for your stand mixer. Additionally, an appliance garage allows you to stow your countertop appliances away and out of sight for a less cluttered-looking kitchen.
3. Multifunctional Islands
One of the must-haves in the kitchen is a multifunctional island, which can provide extra seating, storage and surface area for cooking or working. It enables you to socialize with guests while you’re preparing drinks or to watch over young children while they’re doing homework. With open-storage and other creative solutions, you can still showcase your style while substantially increasing the function of your kitchen.
4. Statement Light Fixtures
Modern dream kitchen designs also include stunning statement light fixtures. Placing your selected fixture in a central area, such as over the dining room table or in an entrance, makes it a decorative focal point, as well as a light source. However, beyond general lighting, you should also include task lighting throughout the space for ambience and practicality. For example, good-quality undercabinet lighting achieves both goals. It shines a light on your countertops to assist you while you’re working any time of the day, but it also provides a gentler glow than your overhead lights when you’re ready for a calmer mood at night.
5. Farmhouse Sink
Farmhouse sinks have a classic look and yet they never seem to go out of style. Also called an apron front sink, the farmhouse sink serves as a focal point for your kitchen, regardless of its design aesthetic. From a functional standpoint, farmhouse sinks are easy to access and they’re deep enough to hold large pots and pans. Additionally, consider going for a double-bowl sink to increase utility. For amateur chefs and at-home bakers, the extra prep space is indispensable, but even those who don’t cook a lot can appreciate having one sink for washing dishes and another for rinsing.
6. Modern Technology
Smart-home trends are gaining traction, and the kitchen is a great place to incorporate them. From a hands-free faucet and smart appliances to built-in speakers and charging hubs, technology simply makes life easier for you and other household members. A touch screen can provide entertainment, connect you with friends or display a recipe while you’re cooking. There are also coffee makers you can program to start when you want them to, so your first cup of coffee is waiting for you in the morning. Another modern kitchen accessory to consider is a hidden outlet strip so you don’t clutter your decorative backsplash or painted wall but you still have a convenient way to charge your devices or plug in appliances.
7. Double Ovens
No dream kitchen would be complete without a double-oven range. While each individual oven on the unit is smaller, you still have more overall space for cooking and baking. The benefit is that you can be baking different dishes at different temperatures at the same time. You can also install two separate full-sized ovens if you’re frequently making large meals for groups of people. Another option is to have one standard oven range and then add a specialty appliance, such as a steam oven or roaster oven, to serve a distinct purpose.
8. Drawers Not Doors
Another popular trend that would be a great kitchen addition is drawers instead of doors for storage space. Many homeowners are switching to pull out drawers so that their kitchen items are more accessible. Drawers are also the perfect addition if you’re thinking about staying in your home long term. Drawers allow you and your family to age in place without the need to bend down and search through your items.
Creating Your Dream Kitchen in Northern Illinois
After several years of living in your home and using your kitchen on a daily basis, it’s natural that you should have a list of things you would change or upgrade or new features to add to create your dream kitchen. With a customized kitchen remodeling project, that dream can become a reality. At Ken Spears Construction, we work with you on refining a vision for your kitchen and developing an effective plan to get you there. Our team of kitchen remodelers takes into account everything from lighting and flooring options to style and layout to design a project that reflects your personality and meets your distinct lifestyle needs.
If you want to learn more or would like some cost information, please Contact Ken Spears Construction in Kane County, Illinois today. Alternatively, you can download our free Home Remodeling Cost Guide that will give you all the information you need to make an educated decision about whether or not you should renovate your home to increase its resale value.
