In modern homes, the kitchen is no longer just a space for cooking. It’s a space where casual dining, craft activities, entertainment, and a lot more are also held. It’s, without a doubt, one of the busiest zones of the home. Tasked with all sorts of day-to-day family needs, the kitchen requires a multi-functional design in order to keep up.

While remodeling offers you the chance to create a space tailored to your specific needs, it also comes with a lot of decision-making. Here are some important things to keep in mind to get a well-designed kitchen that is beautiful and also functional.

Consider the Perfect Layout

There are a lot of things that need to be considered when designing a new kitchen, such as how often you cook, whether you like to entertain, how big your family is, etc. No matter how you’ll be using your kitchen, make sure there is ample room for food and equipment storage, as well as food prep and cooking. If you like to entertain or will be using the space as a multipurpose area, make sure to consider your layout.

The ideal layout is the one that creates a nice flow – the last thing you want is having your opened dishwasher blocking off half of the kitchen. Different kitchen layout styles exist including walls, galley, U-shape, G-shape, L-shape, and island. Opting for a combination of styles can lead to the most effective kitchen. For example, adding an island bench to a wall or U-shape kitchen will open up the area while allowing for extra functions to be carried out like an informal dining area or mini craft zone.

Another helpful tool in design layout is the triangle theory, which is the distance between your cooktop, sink, and fridge. According to experts, you should allow 1.20m between each station to ensure efficiency and minimize kitchen congestion.

Make the Right Floor Choice

The flooring in this room takes a lot of abuse, so it must be carefully chosen. While ceramic and porcelain designs used to be the default floor of choice, a new flooring option has been taking homeowners by storm – luxury vinyl tiles. Are vinyl tiles good for the kitchen floor, you may ask?

Luxury vinyl tiles have a unique set of advantages that make them an exceptionally good fit for the kitchen. There are many reasons why you should pick vinyl tiles for the kitchen floor. One of them is quality. As you know, kitchen floors are constantly put to the test: a sharp knife failing edge-down, a glass jar spilling its staining content in transit, dogs, and children riding their toys, etc.

Luxury vinyl tiles feature a patented scratch guard protective technology that allows them to easily withstand whatever your throw at them. They’re also more cushioned and offer better insulation than traditional tiles, which makes standing in the kitchen more comfortable. This is an important consideration if you spend significant amounts of time on your feet, cooking and cleaning.

With all that going on in the kitchen, the flooring can get dirty quickly. Another benefit of choosing vinyl tiles for the kitchen floor is the ease of cleaning. Easy to sweep, vacuum, and mop, you can get a hygienic floor in no time. So, if you like easy maintenance, this is the floor for you.

Available in a wide range of looks, patterns, and colors, luxury vinyl tiles can imitate the look of almost any real material including tile, stone, and even wood grain patterns. This allows you to achieve, for example, the look of hardwood or stone without the cost or difficulty of installation.

Best of all, vinyl tiles for the kitchen floor happen to be the most affordable flooring type on the market today. While prices can vary depending on the brand, thickness and pattern selected, there are some very affordable options available.

Go for a Practical Cabinetry Solution

You have many choices in terms of cabinet materials and styles. While your decision will come down to your personal preference, keep in mind that cabinets that are durable, low maintenance, and easy to clean can make your life much easier.

A practical cabinetry solution should also offer ample space for you to store food, cookware, and small appliances. Kitchen cabinetry often includes the basic cabinet and drawer layout below and above the countertop, but you may need more storage space than this. An island in the center of your kitchen can offer some great extra work and storage space.

Illumination is Key

Lighting is often an overlooked factor in kitchen design, but it plays an important part in the kitchen’s efficiency, much like the choice of kitchen flooring. First, proper illumination makes food preparation easier and more efficient. Second, it maximizes your visibility, ensuring your safety while cooking. Third, if you have the right amount of light in your kitchen, you can be confident in the cleanliness. It will allow you to visibly inspect the counters, cracks, and crevices for dirt and debris.

Considering the fact that some lighting options are impossible to install once your kitchen remodel is done, you need to make sure you plan for lighting beforehand. A good starting point is your ambient lighting (i.e., your all-purpose lighting). You need to ensure there is an equal balance of light throughout the space. You need to get your ambiance lighting right because it’s what will help create your kitchen’s overall mood.

Following, you’ll want to consider your task lighting. This type of lighting is all about targeting specific areas of the kitchen that may need an extra hit of light. Small reparation counters, work zones, and nooks will be more user-friendly if properly lit. Complete your lighting design with decorative lighting.

Make sure to consider your kitchen’s size when choosing pendants because if your lighting is too large for the space, it will cause your kitchen to feel cluttered and overbearing. When choosing your lighting, consider your overall lighting plan and kitchen style and ask your lighting supplier for advice before purchasing.

Ensure your lighting efficiency by opting for LED light bulbs. This type of light bulb is the most common when it comes to any form of lighting. Coll, white LED bulbs produce a brighter, cleaner look that makes it easier to see – which can be particularly handy in the kitchen. LED light bulbs are also more energy-efficient and can last a very long time.