Could we design a smarter, better kitchen that didn’t just look awesome, but was intuitive to use and easy to clean?
The answer? Yep. We totally could. We spoke with Bon Appétit editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport and food editor Allie Lewis Clappwho, in addition to being passionate about the topic, are in the middle of redesigning our very own test kitchens here at BA. Whether you’re in for a total kitchen upgrade or just want to spruce up what you’ve got, there are definitely things you can do to make your workspace a better place. Here’s what we learned:
1. Build a better backsplash. Painted or wallpapered backsplashes are so pretty, aren’t they? They’re also atrocious to clean. Between grease splatter, aggressively simmering sauces, and—um, did we mention grease splatter?—what you’re really going to need is a badass backsplash that can take a beating—and a scrubbing. According to Clapp, that means stainless steel or tile
2. Trash it. Listen, we get it: No one wants to talk trash. But it’s a necessary evil if you actually use your kitchen to cook. Says Clapp, many people forget about the trash can when designing their kitchens, and they’re left with a big, stinky garbage in the middle of the room—decidedly unappetizing, right? So build in a space for a big trash that’s convenient to reach, but also discreet. Clapp suggests putting it under one side of the sink (the garbage disposal goes on the other!)
3. Function over form. It’s so tempting to spring for a kitchen that looks ready for its Pinterest closeup. But how intuitive are those spaces for serious cooks? Design elements like marble countertops, soapstone sinks, wood floors, and no upper cabinets may seem luxurious, but they make cooking difficult. Marble scratches easily and can’t handle a hot pot (because, hey, we’ve all put one down on the counter without a trivet one time or another). Rapoport points out that it also stains easily.
4. Embrace gray area.
Sultry dark-colored countertops may look gorgeous, but if you’ve ever driven a black car through salted winter streets, you know why this isn’t such a great idea—nothing flaunts imperfections, scratches, or dirt than a dark color (this goes double for white, by the way). So when it comes to countertops, aim for the middle ground and stick with a neutral color, like grey.
5. Be sink-savvy. A soapstone sink is a stunner, but it can’t handle boiling water—the stone may crack. A good sink should be your kitchen’s workhorse, and it’s up to you to decide what will work best for you: Do you want one bay or two? (Two bays can make washing big pots and pans tricky, but they’re great for organization). How deep do you want to go? (An ultra-deep sink hides dirty dishes, but may be tough on your back if you have to bend over too far—what Rapoport calls an “awkward ergonomic experience.”)
If you really want to live the dream, Clapp recommends springing for two sinks—one for food prep and one for your dishes, pots, and pans. It’s an element she originally scoffed at, but she’s grown to love her two sinks. Rapoport has another genius idea: Invest in a large restaurant-style pull-down spray nozzle; it makes washing dishes and cleaning out the sink so much easier
6. Back away from the griddle. New stovetops come with all sorts of cool functions now. And while we’re all about having extra burners, there’s one add-on that we could do without: The built-in griddle. According to Clapp, it gets funky fast, and is near-impossible to clean. A better solution? Powerful burners, and a well-seasoned cast-iron pan or two.
7. Pull-out shelves are your friend. Pull-out attachments for your lower shelves will revolutionize the way you store tools and equipment—and the way you cook. It makes no sense to store a stockpot behind cooling racks, baking sheets, and 4 sauté pans—unless you can get to it quickly and easily (that means NOT rearranging or taking everything out of your drawers). You can find slide-out attachments at places like The Container Store.
8. Trick out your speakers. Cooking is definitely more fun if you have good tunes to rock out to—so invest in a great sound system that’ll keep the music pumping. “You will use good speakers more in your kitchen than in any other room in your house,” says Rapoport
8. Trick out your speakers. Cooking is definitely more fun if you have good tunes to rock out to—so invest in a great sound system that’ll keep the music pumping. “You will use good speakers more in your kitchen than in any other room in your house,” says Rapoport
By Bon Appetit
If your not into DIY, we highly recommend the Panday Group for a flawless stylish kitchen design.
Clean flawless look
