What does your dream kitchen look like? First thoughts might go to a spacious island, quartz countertops and magazine-worthy appliances, but then you think about function. A truly dreamy kitchen is one that both suits your style and your purpose.
And the best kitchen is one you want to be in, whether you’re hosting holiday dinner for the whole family or whipping up a week’s worth of dinners on the weekend.
That’s why a kitchen renovation is as much about how you use your kitchen as how you’d like it to look, explains Lauren Jarvis, an interior designer with MAC Renovations in Greater Victoria.
“In the discovery phase of a renovation, we do a deep dive into your lifestyle and cooking habits – how many people share the kitchen, what kind of cooking you like to do and even your height. We get to know your personal needs,” Jarvis says.
The goal is better accessibility – no longer hunching over to reach the bread maker in the back of the bottom cupboard or re-stacking your baking sheets that have tumbled over … again.
“When cooking tools are easily accessible, you’re inclined to cook more and truly enjoy being in your kitchen,” Jarvis says, noting the value as well to anyone looking to age in place in their home. “It’s life-changing.”
As an added bonus for today’s open-concept homes, an organized kitchen also tends to be easier to keep tidy.
With that in mind, what are the go-to kitchen cabinet features Jarvis is asked about?
- Sheet pan organizer – Baking sheets, cutting boards, party trays…all of those large, thin items that wreak havoc in other cupboards are perfectly at home in their own space.
- Pull-out waste and compost bins – Again, it’s all about ease and organization. Pull-out bins not only make it easy to recycle, compost or take out the garbage, they free up space under the sink to easily access cleaning supplies.
- Pull-out drawers – Even if you’re not completely re-doing your kitchen, changing lower cabinets to drawers makes a huge difference. Suddenly, everything in the back of the cabinets comes to you!
- Corner cabinet organizers – Adding a “Super Susan” or Magic Corner slide-out organizer offers instant easy access to everything in this otherwise hard-to-access cupboard.
- Specialty features – One of the best things about customizing your space is adding features that make sense for you. If you cook or bake a lot, a pull-out spice and oil cabinet, and custom cutlery drawer organizers are favourites. Want some larger countertop appliances accessible but out of sight? Consider an appliance garage.
- Upper cabinet options – Upper cabinets are typically more accessible, so features here are often on the more decorative side: built-in wine rack, display spaces or maybe a stone or millwork spice shelf above the range, for example.
No matter which features you choose, the goal is to create a space you enjoy being in.
“People love it. They say it completely changes the way they use their kitchen – and they use it more!” Jarvis says.
To learn how MAC Renovations can make your dream kitchen a reality, visit MacReno.com or call
READ MORE: Valuable, flexible space awaits in the basement: What to consider before you renovate