Top 10 Kitchen Design Mistakes | Raleigh Custom Home Design
Stanton Homes in Raleigh, NC offers some key things to think about whether you are planning for a new home or doing a kitchen remodel on an older home.
The kitchen is the HEART of the home and needs to be well planned for best utilization. Tim Francis Realty is always up for opening up this room in older homes and smart planning if you re-do your kitchen.
Another great tip is: Kitchen drawers. We re-did our kitchen a few years back and this feature brought us almost 40% more space in the lower cabinetry. It's amazing how much more we can store, not to mention how much easier items are to see and locate without bending to the ground.
Enjoy:
Don't Make These Top 10 Kitchen Design Mistakes
Raleigh Custom Home Design
As the most used room in the home, your kitchen is essential.
Learn how to avoid the biggest kitchen design mistakes in your Raleigh custom home - with these top 10 kitchen design blunders.
10. Kitchen traffic (avoid traffic jams)
Design experts emphasize the importance of your kitchen work triangle.
A kitchen "work triangle" referrs to the distance between the three main work centers of your kitchen, the sink, cooktop/stove, and refrigerator.
As a general rule, the sum of all legs in a work triangle should not be less than ten feet and not greater than twenty-five feet.
Each of these stations require constant use, so you should have easy access to each.
You will also want ample countertop space available at each station.
No matter what style of kitchen you want to build, the work triangle applies:
- - L-shaped kitchen
- - Galley kitchens
- - U-shaped kitchens
- - Island kitchens
9. Not thinking through kitchen storage space
Raleigh new home kitchens emphasize convenient storage solutions. More Raleigh custom homes will incorporate creative built-in storage in 2014 designs - as more homebuyers purchase high-end cooking necessities.
For instance, oddly shaped dishes and appliances, from serving platters to stand mixers, can take up a lot of storage space.
Kitchen storage solution #1: With just a small extension of the existing space, underneath the serving bar, eating bar area, or island can become an important storage center.
Built in banquettes, or a built in seating area near the kitchen can maximize space and storage. Built in seats are flush against the wall, and can be placed under windows for a fresh and open feel.
Kitchen storage solution #2: Create ample kitchen storage without sacrificing open square footage. One of the best ways to offer lots of shelf room is with a "Costco" style pantry.
See example floor plans and photos of Costco pantries here.
See photo galleries of homes with a corner pantry:
- The Treehouse - corner pantry kitchen
- The Peay - corner pantry kitchen
- The Maple Lane - corner pantry kitchen
- The Dugan - corner pantry kitchen
Kitchen storage solution #3: Add a Butler's pantry between the kitchen and formal dining room. Butler's pantries serve as storage solutions, preparation areas, and showcase centers - the perfect way to integrate form and function, without sacrificing kitchen floor space.
See photos of popular Butler's pantry designs - click here.
8. Countertop work space
When choosing a kitchen floor plan, keep in mind the amount of countertop work space you will need. Remember to balance your countertop space between work areas and display areas.
For instance, keep in mind which appliances you will want to permanently in sight - such as your professional grade KitchenAid mixer or Williams-Sonoma copper canisters.
Design tip: If you love to cook, consider the pros and cons of adding a second sink or prep sink.
On one hand, a second sink will come in extremely handy - especially in larger kitchens with multiple cooks.
On the other hand, a prep sink will eat up some countertop space, and add additional cost.
7. Island design
It's easy to say you want a large island kitchen. Oversized islands are hugely popular in Raleigh new homes, offering: extra cabinetry for storage, seating areas or raised bars, kitchen desk areas, separate range top and cooking center, preparation areas with vegetable sink.
Before you choose an oversized island, here are the top five questions you should be able to answer:
- How large is your kitchen?
- What shape is your kitchen floor plan?
- Do you want to incorporate seating
- Will you need a secondary / prep sink?
- What functions are most important to your lifestyle?
Click here to learn more about how to answer these important kitchen design questions.
6. Personal touches
Looking for ways to create an elegant kitchen, that's filled with personal touches? Creating the perfect kitchen is all about creating a flow in color, texture, and shape.
Some of our most popular kitchens mix ultra contemporary fixtures with rustic cabinets. So don't be afriad to choose some "out there" features.
The blue tones in these granite countertops were carried throughout the home in tile designs and paint colors.
5. Lighting
It is important to have good lighting in the kitchen - not only to showcase your cabinet, granite countertop, and tile backsplash selections - but also as a practical consideration for safety.
What are the best ways to add kitchen lighting?
1. Windows for natural lighting
2. Pendant lights
3. Recessed can lights
4. Under cabinet lights
4. Backsplash
One of the best ways to add designer appeal to your kitchen without spending a lot of money is adding a tile backsplash. And you will love the easy clean-up process.
Some of the most popular types of kitchen backsplashes include 4"x4" ceramic tile, subway tile, glass tile, mini mosaic tile, and granite.
Click here for a how to guide for kitchen backsplash styles.
3. Closed Kitchen
The integration of kitchens with family living spaces (also called "Great Rooms") is a growing trend for Raleigh new homes.
In open concept designs, home spaces are becoming more casual, and being able to interact with your guests while preparing a meal is a must.
What does an open concept kitchen look like? Open kitchens can come in a huge variety of designs, including:
- Plans that integrate a half wall with an eating or serving bar - click here for an example in the Beaufort
- Plans that emphasize clear lines of sight between rooms
- Plans that feature ceiling designs that open upwards, with two story ceilings, arched openings, barrel vaults, ceiling vaults, and other specialty ceilings that draw the eye upward, even in smaller floor plans.
See photos of open concept floor plans here.
2. Trendy
While it is tempting to pick up on the latest kitchen design trends, make sure to balance those top-requested trends with classic traditions. Monotone kitchens - especially black, white, earth, and grey tones - will never go out of style.
Think through which elements you can change later, and which will be much more difficult.
For instance, it is easy to repaint a room from a wild color, but it is difficult (and expensive) to change the size or your island, the countertops, or the type of cabinets. The bottom line: you may want to avoid those red Ikea cabinets and accessorize with eye-popping accent pieces instead. Super trendy lighting and plumbing fixtures are much more easy to switch out, later, if you need a style-refresher.
1. Appliance types and locations
Here are a few questions you should be able to answer:
- Do I want a built-in beverage center? (wine racks, wine refrigerators, beer and soda refrigerators)
- Will I need a double or single oven? (will you be cooking multiple dishes at the same time, especially during holiday seasons)
- Should my microwave go above or below the countertops (high end kitchens are downplaying microwaves, by integrating them in the island or lower cabinets)
- Do I enjoy cooking on a gas range or electric cooktop?
- Do I prefer a large single bowl or double bowl sink?
Raleigh new home resources
You may also be interested in these other Raleigh new home articles - top tips straight from Raleigh's most exceptional new home builder, Stanton Homes.
More kitchen and master bathroom designs and trends for Raleigh new homes:
17 Favorite Master Bath Tub Surrounds | 2014 Bath Design Ideas
14 Island Kitchen Designs for 2014 | Photos and Tips
Master shower tile designs - with floor plan images
How to create a kitchen color palette | Custom Home Design Ideas
Bathroom Tile Trends - Custom Mosaic Tile Designs
Tub Surround Tile Ideas - Photos and Tips
Custom Home Master Bath Design Ideas
New Custom Homes in the Raleigh Area - and throughout central North Carolina
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Articles copyright Stanton Homes 2006-2013. Unauthorized use is not permitted. Provided for informational purposes only, no claims are made by Stanton Homes regarding the validity of any statements. Please note: all listing information per MLS, and current as of posting date. Information subject to change. Stanton Homes does not make claims to ownership of any lot listings, but can work with homebuyers to purchase available lots and build. Home plans to be approved on an individual basis, subject to neighborhood restrictive covenants and lot restrictions. Ask for further information regarding any community, lot or floor plan. Photos represent typical homes and details of each neighborhood, to help highlight different options available in the Raleigh/Triangle area. No claim of ownership is made to homes or land pictured.
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