Kitchen Design Choices to Make Life Easier

Heather Bernhard • August 21, 2020
For many homeowners, the kitchen is now the undisputed heart of the home. It’s where everything happens, from cooking and eating to kids doing homework. More than any other room in the house, it needs to be user-friendly and practical, as well as comfortable and cozy. 

Why? 

Because a well-designed and functional kitchen can help make even the busiest days easier. 

Whether you work inside the home or out, have children you have to get ready for school, or pets that demand your attention, a kitchen that “flows” well makes life less hectic. 

Still, taking the needs of an entire family into account can make designing the ideal kitchen a daunting prospect. Luckily, we’ve identified several aspects that will help you make the most of your available space.  

Keep reading to learn more: 

1. Choose Materials and Surfaces Wisely

Your kitchen is likely to be the busiest spot in the house, so it’s important to choose long-lasting, durable materials that will not only look great but last for years to come. For example, avoid counter tops that are prone to scratching, like laminate or marble, and opt for something more robust such as quartz or certain granites.

An all white kitchen with dark wood island in the center



2. Consider the Best Layout to Meet Your Needs



Whether your kitchen is large or small, it’s vital to use all available space in a practical way so traffic flows seamlessly. When it comes to efficiency, the work triangle – sink, refrigerator, stove – is the gold standard of kitchen design. 



The triangle ensures that the kitchen’s heaviest hitters are always within easy reach, allowing the cook to move quickly and efficiently. Other traffic (like children hunting for an after-school snack) is easily steered toward more user-friendly spots, such as the pantry or dining table. 



3. Pick the Right Accessories



The accessories you choose for your kitchen aren’t just the first thing guests notice; they can also make your kitchen a more functional room.



Add-ons such as peg inserts for dish storage and pull-outs for pots and pans help make the most use of available space. Likewise, creative use of corner space, such as blind corner swing-out shelves, can make it easier to store and access a variety of items.



Lastly, lighting can make or break the room and is certainly something you should consider. LED is the current trend, with crown or valance lighting, toe kick lighting, and under cabinet task lighting for counters all rising in popularity. 



4. Don’t be Afraid to Add Some Personality


Ultimately, the perfect kitchen is personal. Your room must be appealing as well as practical, especially if the family spends a lot of time around the dining table. 


Don’t be afraid to add a little color, texture, or pattern into the space. Your kitchen should be an extension of the rest of your home, so you create a welcoming flow throughout. 


How Can We Help? 


At Heart Kitchens, our passion is to help you connect all the dots to create a beautiful and functional kitchen. Our design process is thorough and takes all your needs into account. 


We’ll start by determining how the space will be used through questions like: 


• What is your kitchen used for? Cooking meals? Gatherings? Family time? 

• How many people use the kitchen? 

• What are your morning and evening routines? 

• Do you use your kitchen for any special functions, like baking? 

• More


Next, we’ll talk about what you need and want in the space. 


• What are your non-negotiables? An island? Chef's control center?

• What are your “wish list” items? 

• What appliances complete your dream? A wine fridge? Pizza oven? 

• Should we consider altering or removing a wall to open up the space?


Lastly, we’ll come up with a design concept. This is when we take all the answers and come up with a plan – sort of like putting together a puzzle! 


The design concept is our favorite part. With a full-color, 3D virtual look a your future kitchen, all your dreams become a reality! You can almost taste the meals and hear the laughter! 


Are you getting excited for your updated kitchen? We can help you create a space that is both functional AND fun – and we can’t wait to show you how the right kitchen design can change your life. 


Ready to get started? Call us at 732.285.4467 or email us here. 

Mission Impossible: Space Planning When Spouses Have Different Styles

By Heather Bernhard • January 11, 2021
For spouses with different tastes, planning your living space may seem a challenge. Find out how by visiting Heart Kitchens of Holmdel, NJ online.

Home (Organization) for the Holidays

By Heather Bernhard • December 17, 2020
With the holiday season in full swing, you might be thinking about how to celebrate. Undoubtably, the holidays will look different this year. No matter what you’re doing, it’s likely a holiday meal is still on the agenda. And even if it’s just with the people in your same household, a large meal can wreak havoc on your kitchen. Even worse? If you’re the one in charge of cooking, you could easily spend the entire day over the stovetop, missing out on the gathering completely! Having a well-organized kitchen can help ensure your holiday efforts are executed flawlessly. In fact, your kitchen can even be a source of comfort and joy when intelligently designed. Getting it ready for the holidays doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are our best tips: Maximize Storage When new clients call us, it’s often because they’re short on storage space and unable to work effectively in their kitchen. Finding creative ways to make the most of the space you’ve got is crucial, especially during the holidays. • Store flat items such as baking sheets and cutting boards vertically to maximize space • Place dry goods in glass canisters to make for an attractive display on open shelving • House small appliances, such as the toaster or blender, in the pantry to keep counters clear • Add function to the pantry and cabinets with shelf dividers, spice racks, or pull-out bins to increase accessibility and organization • Upgrade your refrigerator to a model with organization features such as adjustable drawers or a built-in wine rack

Laundry Room Renovations

By Heather Bernhard • November 19, 2020
An organized, expertly designed laundry room can make all the difference when performing this tedious routine. Find out more online at Heart Kitchens of Somerset, NJ today.

Creative Design Choices to Make the Most of Your Small Space

By Heather Bernhard • November 5, 2020
Creating a beautiful kitchen requires proper planning, time, and effort – and, of course, an eye for design. But when it comes to the heart of the home, style isn’t everything. Functional choices are more critical in the kitchen than in any other room of the house, especially when you’re working with a small space. Anyone who’s worked in a poorly designed kitchen knows this. When we first met John and Christine Mormile, they were seeking a more functional kitchen. As first-time home buyers, they purchased their traditional Cape Cod-style house knowing it would need renovation. Their biggest complaint? With everything jammed onto one wall, the kitchen felt closed-in and suffocating. This is what we did: Bigger Isn’t Always Better Just because your space is smaller doesn’t mean you can’t have the kitchen of your dreams. In fact, some of our favorite makeovers are smaller kitchens like Christine and John’s. They force us to get creative about making the limited amount of space work. “ Our new kitchen feels like much bigger room with more space than it actually is. ” – Christine Mormile One of the most important things we’ve learned over the years is that lack of space doesn’t have to mean lack of style – or functionality. Designing a New Kitchen When we first meet with a new client or prospect, we start with a series of questions to determine their wants and needs. For example: • “How do you use your kitchen? Cooking? Baking? Entertaining? Homework or business?” • “What don’t you like about your current kitchen?” • “What would you want to see in your dream kitchen?” Many times, when a prospect contacts us, it’s out of frustration with their current kitchen. They want to know how they can make the space work. The Mormiles needed more storage and functionality out of their small space. They didn’t care about having an eat-in kitchen, but they did want to get rid of the outdated appliances. Like all clients, our initial discussion was all about finding solutions.

Kitchen Islands: The Heart of the Holidays

By Heather Bernhard • October 28, 2020
Whether Thanksgiving dinner or a Christmas feast, a kitchen island is an invaluable asset during the holidays. Find out more by visiting Heart Kitchens of Holmdel, NJ online.

Have The Staycation Of Your Dreams With A New Outdoor Kitchen

By Heather Bernhard • August 5, 2020
Warm weather, a change of scenery, a chance to relax. There’s something irresistible about vacations. Whether you’re lazing by the ocean or dining under the stars, they’re a time of rest and renewal. But if your holiday plans got put on hold this year, you’re not alone. Instead of traveling, many people have chosen to take a staycation and enjoy time at home. This is where home improvements come into play! Jetting off to your favorite city might not be in the books – but recreating its ambiance at home is possible. Keep reading for our best tips on transforming your backyard into an environment that will rival any 5-star resort. Outdoor Kitchens When it comes to creating a relaxed vibe at home, an outdoor kitchen is our number one pick. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy dining alfresco – and creating a space for outdoor cooking is the perfect way to enjoy warm weather gatherings. Even better: Cooking outdoors means relieving your main kitchen (and the rest of the house) of built-up heat coming from the oven and stove. Not sure where to begin? Start with a grill and plenty of counter space for prepping and serving. Add a bar top where people can sit and chat for more of a “resort” feel. If you want to jazz things up a little, consider some unique appliances, like beer taps or a pizza oven. Most importantly, add a big outdoor table and other spots where you and your guests can gather for drinks and food! Here are some other tips to keep in mind: Recreate Your Favorite Destination Do you have a go-to vacation spot? Let it inspire the features and materials you choose for your outdoor kitchen! For example, mountain lovers might veer towards earthy colors and woodsy elements, like wood beams or a stone fireplace. A beach goer, on the other hand, might opt for blues and whites, a natural fiber rug, and some tropical greenery. No matter where you love to spend your downtime, take the time to get your design right for a real vacation-ready vibe. Create Space for Your Favorite Activities Part of a staycation is doing whatever you like to do, right from the comfort of your own home. Incorporate the things you enjoy into your outdoor dining area, whether that’s a tv to watch the big game or a shady nook for reading over a glass of wine. Are there little ones in the household? Consider adding an outdoor playset to the yard so the kids can have fun while the adults catch up. Safeguard Yourself from the Sun No matter where you live, the afternoon sun can be brutal – especially during the summer months. A shady structure, like a custom pergola, can create a comfortable area to sit and relax out of the sun’s harmful rays. Other options include canopies, umbrellas, and retractable shades. Create Privacy Depending on the size of your backyard and how close you are to the neighbors, you’ll likely want to add some privacy-creating features to your outdoor entertaining area. Bushes, hedges, and fences are great options to keep your entire backyard secluded in the long-term. If you opt to install a pergola or shades, those can do the trick as well. Choose Quality Furniture Bargain furniture from online discount retailers may look great on your screen, but if you want to entertain for years to come, it pays to invest in quality fixtures up front. Choose tables, chairs, and other fixtures that are made from outdoor-rated wood or polywood, which can last for decades and is easy to maintain. Final Thoughts 2020 has been a rough year for many reasons. Don’t let it throw your vacation off track! It’s still possible to have the getaway of your dreams, right from your own backyard. Need help deciding what outdoor kitchen options are right for you? Contact us today and let our design specialists help you out.