As editor of a magazine that has a heavy focus on kitchens, I often get asked by friends and acquaintances who are prepping for a remodel what they should consider when planning and designing their new space. I have my particular favorites: I like a floating shelf or two, I like one wall with no upper cabinets, and I don’t like the microwave to be mounted over the range. (This is based on my own experience—my microwave is, in fact, mounted over my range.) But Housetrends has access to an incredible group of kitchen designers, and I decided to take that question to them asking: “What is one item, or concept, you’d want to include if you were designing your own kitchen?”
Here are their answers…there are a few common threads definitely worth noting.
“For years we put desks in kitchens and they became a catch all. A command center allows you to charge cell phones, send a note, stack mail and store coupons. You take care of a task and close the door.” —Vicki Waker, Cabinet Creations Inc.
“It is important to allow room for multiple people to be in the kitchen and not feel on top of each other. I always include a number of “touch down areas,” open countertop space for prepping, serving, and cooking supplies.”
—Dana Dalton, Daso Custom Cabinetry
“As someone who cooks frequently, proper spice storage is a must! ‘Rev-A-Shelf’ Base Cabinet Pullout allows you to keep different size spice containers organized and easy to find without ending up with duplicates. It even has room at the bottom for oil/vinegars!” —Katie Florjancic, The Cleary Company
“Opening up one wall to another room allowed us to extend usable counter space which we desperately needed. The new layout allows two or more people to work independently. Light from windows in the adjacent room now filters into the kitchen.” —Wendy Sorenson, J.S. Brown
“I would do a butler’s pantry! A place for the many kitchen appliances and gadgets we accumulate to live, organized food items, and countertop space to plug in crock pots, toaster etc. that you don’t want seen in the main kitchen.”
—Amber Bolin, Dave Fox Design | Build Remodelers
“I would incorporate modern “connected”, such as a refrigerator that allows you to remotely monitor its contents, and a range that allows you to pre-heat from an app on your phone.” —Matt Jones, Greater Dayton Building and Remodeling
“Hands-down a scullery. The main kitchen can remain a pristine showpiece without sacrificing functionality. With limited space, a scullery can provide an extra sink, dishwasher, beverage fridge, and cooking appliances with the added benefit of pantry and small appliance storage.” —Allison Burt, Haus Studio
“For me it’s drawers….as many as I can have. Large, wide drawers hold pots, pans, bakeware, casserole dishes, plastic containers, linens—you name it! They take one motion to open, and you can see everything. Full extension is a must.” —Carrie Bordenkircher, Kircher Design & Build
“My kitchen must have would be lots of drawers! They offer much more convenient storage and accessibility rather than your traditional shelving or pullouts. Large drawers for pots and pans, smaller drawers to organize silverware and other cooking utensils.” —Amber Ott-Johnson, Kitchens By Design
“Without proper organization, all the pretty doesn’t matter. Each of my cabinets has a purpose. I have a place for pots, pans, ladles and spices. Everything has its home and that makes me happy every time I cook or put things away.” —Melissa Kehayes, Western Custom Cabinetry
“I would include an island that functions like a table. You could prep on one side and sit on the other or switch. It would have to have power at both ends and hidden storage drawers.” —Michael A. Wright, Kitchen Kraft
“Custom organization solutions keep your kitchen feeling orderly and fresh for the months and years following a renovation—from a lift for your mixer to easy-access drawers for pots, pans, and lids, and perfectly divided drawers to keep counters free of clutter.” —Sarah Festa, R.L. Bull Cabinetry
“Layers of lighting are critical. Ceiling or recessed lights provide general ambient lighting. Tape light under upper cabinets provides task lighting. Decorative lighting—overhead pendants or sconces—enhances style and creates focal points. Tape light inside glass-front cabinets and below lower cabinetry adds drama.” —Christina Temple, Neal’s Design-Remodel
“Functionality and good traffic flow are key—enough room between cabinetry and the island to easily move through the space, wide walkways. If possible, implement a central island, it will separate the working area from the social part of the kitchen.” —Mila Cloran, Daso Custom Cabinetry
“My answer would be a central island with the most opulent hunk of Quartzite countertop one has ever seen. Specifically, an eat-in island, preferably 8-10’ long. Island should have 5’ clearance around it and a couple dimmable pendant lights for illumination.” —James Kent, Greater Dayton Building and Remodeling
“I’d include pull outs to the left and right of my cooking space—one for utensils and one for spices and oils. I love how that keeps everything off the countertop, but also makes it easy to find what you’re looking for!” —Faith Herring, CKBD, CLIPPTM, Dave Fox Design | Build Remodelers
“One of the most important aspects of kitchen design is accessibility. The use of deep drawers and pull-outs offers convenient daily access to kitchenware and stored items in an efficient and effortless way.” —Cristina McCarthy, Daso Custom Cabinetry
“A butler’s pantry would be the preferred set up in my kitchen. It is nice to have an area to prep for meals and keep dirty dishes out of site and out of mind.” —Colin McGrath, Greater Dayton Building and Remodeling
“In my 1940s galley kitchen the highest priority item is upgrading the electrical. More outlets would make the space much more functional but also, through better lighting, change the mood of the space from cramped too efficient.” —Amanda Moran, Greater Dayton Building and Remodeling
Article by Karen Bradner
Article originally appeared in February 2023