Why does every important conversation seem to happen in the kitchen? According to Matt Cook, president of Sawhill Kitchens, it’s because the kitchen is the heart of the home.
“I think any of us can look back at the memories we’ve made with our families in our homes, and it really always comes back to the kitchen. It really is the heart of the home. It’s kind of the main center for everything,” Matt says.
Whether you’re a top-tier chef cooking beef Wellington for special occasions or a home cook making nightly meals for your family, the kitchen is a crucial part of your home, and it should reflect that. So, if you’re considering remodeling your kitchen, taking the time to design the layout, choose the appliances, and match the design to your style will ensure your kitchen perfectly suits your needs.
For top-tier chefs, the layout is the most significant part of running an efficient kitchen. Designing a productive layout requires thinking about movement and minimalism.
Running an efficient kitchen requires as little movement as possible. To achieve this, what’s known as the kitchen work triangle or the “golden triangle” is heavily considered when designing a kitchen. “You want as little movement as possible, so you’re not walking 10 steps this way, 15 steps that way, and then 10 steps back to try to get something done. Everything kind of goes in a nice flow from the fridge to cutting, to cooking, to the sink,” Matt explains.
Additionally, a minimalist layout is important when designing storage space. Top-tier chefs don’t want their workspaces cluttered with toasters and knife blocks and decorative accessories. Large open counter areas are a must for a great kitchen. Easy access to cooking accessories without them being in the way is essential. A pantry with bulk storage containers for flour, sugar, grains etc… is a must for a chef's kitchen. Spices and oils next to the cooking surface are a plus for convenience.
If you consider yourself an average cook, the triangle is definitely a feature you can incorporate into your kitchen remodel. Adding an island with pullout trash to dump scraps into can make a huge impact. It can limit the time it takes you to cook a meal for your family and make cleanup easier and quicker. And keeping a minimalist mindset while designing ample storage space can help keep your kitchen looking sleek and organized.
While the layout is the base layer of any kitchen remodel, the appliances play just as important a role. But, appliances can be tricky depending on the available space.
The big appliances typically deemed necessary by a top-tier chef include double ovens, convection microwaves, warming drawers, and counter-depth refrigerators and freezers. Not all homes have the space to accommodate all of these conveniences.
“We do a lot of projects in Minneapolis, and the older homes don’t always have all the space for everything desired. So there ends up being a prioritization of which items are the most important to each person,” says Matt.
As a home cook, double ovens can be a game-changer for making several items at once, but choosing smaller appliances may be the way to go, depending on the size of your kitchen.
After mocking up the layout and selecting your appliances, the next step is to style your kitchen to match the rest of your home and your specific style.
Top-tier chefs, again, lean heavily into the minimalist design aesthetics. This includes smooth, sleek-looking countertops that are easy to wipe off. Surfaces with a lot of texture and crevices are only going to make cleaning up more difficult. The same can be said for cabinet doors and appliances. The less detail there is, the easier it is to clean.
While sleek surfaces can make cleanup easier, if you love a different style, don’t hesitate to choose the countertop texture and cabinet design that fits your design aesthetic best.
“When somebody wants to remodel their kitchen, we help them figure out what they want and their needs so we can build exactly what they envision both functionally and aesthetically,” says Matt.
So, whether you’re whipping up gourmet meals or just trying not to burn dinner, a well-designed kitchen that you love to be in makes all the difference, turning cooking into an enjoyable adventure and every meal into a memorable moment worth savoring.
https://sawhillkitchens.com
It always comes back to the kitchen. It really is the heart of the home.