Category: Kitchen Guides

There is more to designing a kitchen than selecting cabinetry, appliances and surface stuff. A number of smaller details have to be taken into account, including how and where you store your kitchen gear. Pans and pots pose a challenge, because of their size and bulk. You need them saved in a way which makes them easy to catch for cooking, but you might not always need them on full display in your kitchen. And stacking them three or four deep at a closed cupboard is just not optimal, particularly in the event that you cook frequently. Here is help finding the very best storage choice for you, your kitchen and how you cook.

LLC, Patty Kennedy Interiors

The first thing to decide is whether you want your cookware on perspective or concealed. This can be a personal taste; many people like the appearance of hanging pots and pans, along with others would rather have a clean, uncluttered appearance. If you don’t cook often, I’d recommend storing your pots and pans at a pantry or closed cupboard, so they don’t collect dust and dirt.

Krieger + Associates Architects, Inc..

If You Like Your Pans on View
Suspended pot rack. The obvious on-view storage option is a pot rack suspended over an island or peninsula. Ensure that the pot rack is mounted high enough that everyone’s head accomplishes the cookware, but maybe not so high so you can not reach everything.

Jeff Jones Snap It Photography

I have seen pot racks created from old wooden window frames (minus the glass), doorways, ladders etc. to get a magical, one-of-a-kind storage solution.

Studio D – Danielle Wallinger

Linear wall rack. For a more compact appearance, organize your pots and pans at a line on the wall using a linear rack.

Rasmussen / Su Architects

Linear racks are nice if you’d like your pots and trousers readily accessible yet not necessarily taking center stage — as they tend to do with a traditional pot rack hung in the middle of the kitchen. Additionally, this is a better choice at a galley or bigger kitchen, as it takes up less space.

Alex Amend Photography

This gorgeous copper-clad cookware definitely deserves to be seen. But in a tighter space you might not be able to suspend a large pot rack from the ceiling. Double up on preexisting racks and you are able to store a high number of pots and pans on the wall.

Mu-2 Inc..

Above-range shelf. If you use your cookware every day, you might want to keep it on a shelf directly above the scope. In the event you decide to store cookware at the open and you cook frequently, you’re going to want to have a vent hood which can pull out dirt from the air and exhaust it to the exterior, in order for your pots and pans don’t end up covered in grease.

Pavilack Design

Window display. Ordinarily I’d be opposed to hanging some thing in a window which obstructs the view out or mild coming, but there’s something so magical about pots and pans hung in a kitchen window. For many this might be the only place to hang butter, and it might help obscure a less-than-ideal view.

Scheer & Co..

Pegboard. Try creating your own pegboard pot rack. It’s a fantastic DIY job, and you are able to customize the rack with the specific size, color and hook configuration you would like.

Sarah Natsumi Moore

Hung below the island. Not sure you need pots and pans hanging but don’t necessarily want to keep them away in a cupboard? Following is a great hybrid choice — hang your cookware underneath the staircase.

Neiman Taber Architects

Pots and pans suspended under a countertop don’t have to look functional or industrial. This cookware is easy to bring (and set away) but stays tucked away in a market below the island to get a clean, modern appearance.

Synergy Design & Structure

Open-base cupboard shelves. This is another good option for those who want their cookware observable and convenient but not on full display. Dust and grease accumulation can be an issue if you don’t use the cookware regularly and if you don’t have sufficient kitchen venting.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry

If You Like Your Pans Hidden

Deep drawers. Deep drawers operate well for storing cookware, but if you like to cook, be sure to get enough drawers so that you may set your pots and pans in one layer, so they will be easier to view and pull out. Another place for lids also will keep the drawer tidy and easy to use.

Susan Brook Interiors

In case you have a cooktop or stove top, you can use the drawers in the cabinet below for storing your own cookware. Make the base drawer deep enough to keep your pots, together with the corresponding lids saved in a shallower drawer over.

Gene Sokol / Euroluxe Interiors

Corner cabinets. Corner cabinets can be a fantastic storage place for cookware, particularly if equipped with a wire-rack lazy Susan. You can clearly see everything saved on the two shelves, spin the rack to get anything you need.

Jennifer Ott Design

Pantry wall. Here is my own solution to storing cookware. My pots are saved in deep drawers at a base cabinet, along with my pans have been hung on a pegboard inside my pantry.

Now I will be the first to admit this isn’t very pretty, but I wished to locate a use for this little section of wall inside my pantry and recognized it was the perfect place for skillets and sauté pans.

It had been an inexpensive DIY job using pegboard, some 1-by-2 pieces of lumber and paint. As you can tell from the use on the exterior of my pans, I cook a great deal. I desired them to be accessible without always being on display. This solves the storage challenge nicely — they are from sight yet easy to get to, and they make use of an underutilized wall at the pantry.

Tell us : How can you store your pots and pans?

More: The 15 Most Popular Kitchen Storage Ideas on

More ideas for potracks from the Products section

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Most kitchen backsplashes are 15 to 18 inches high. This surface is just like every other in your kitchen, so don’t let it go to waste. Take advantage of it to help you get through daily tasks. From holding cookbooks to allowing you watch your favourite cooking show, to maintaining often-used items at hand, these clever backsplashes help set the bar for design and service.

Designs for Living

1. Cookbook reader. For messy cooks, maintaining a cookbook on the counter may be a big mistake. If you are constantly dripping oil and tomato sauce all over, try hanging your cookbook on your backsplash.

Railing systems like the one displayed here are simple to install on any type of backsplash. Select your own pair of hooks, containers and ledges to create the configuration you need.

Why Your Kitchen Wants Its Own iPad

Fougeron Architecture FAIA

2. Towel and Knife rack. Avid chefs and occasional cooks alike utilize knives and towels just about every day. This backsplash setup keeps both within arm’s reach, making homework, cleaning and cooking much easier.

Powell/Kleinschmidt, Inc..

3. Utensil and spice racks. Obtain a professional look by keeping your out cooking utensils, just like at a restaurant. Cooking your favourite dishes is much simpler when you do not have to search packed drawers for that 1 spoon, spatula or spice. Locate a shelf or spice rack to hang straight in your backsplash for simple access.

Witt Construction

4. Oils and spice market. A wall depth — approximately 3 to 4 inches — is rarely used. Create a market for regular oils, spices and other cooking necessities. It will allow you to take advantage of every square inch your own kitchen provides.

Ken Gutmaker Architectural Photography

5. Microwave. Microwaves frequently occupy precious space on a counter, in an island at upper cabinetry. If you are tight on space but can’t imagine living without a microwave, then build it in your backsplash. This fully flush microwave produces a clean and seamless look and works perfectly with all the modern decor.

Seura

6. Television. Prep your foods together with your favourite celebrity chef. Building a TV directly in your backsplash means you can watch every move without having to crane your neck, and you’re able to catch up on your favourite shows while dinner is in the oven.

14 Ways to Place a TV in the Kitchen

NW Home Designers

7. Espresso maker. This uberpopular kitchen appliance (at least first thing in the morning) can be set up right into your backsplash for simple espresso making. Bulky coffeemakers may take up precious countertop space in tiny kitchens; this easy options works good for people who can’t go without their morning joe.

Robin Rigby Fisher CMKBD/CAPS

8. Appliance garage. Hide your countertop appliances supporting flush tambour doors. The countertop extends inside these vacuums, so your toaster, toaster and food processor can slide out effortlessly. See if you’re able to have sockets installed indoors to prevent constant plugging and unplugging.

Have a hardworking backsplash? Please reveal us at the Comments!

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With the prevalence of lingering in the kitchen, it is time to step our game up with counter and bar stool styles. Kitchen island seats is certainly a place where you are able to bend the rules a bit — no fashion is out of bounds. Comfort is a must, but relaxation could be different for everyone.

Traditional chair heights are 24 inches for counter stools and 30 inches for bar stools. Swivels, footrests and backless choices are all welcome to the celebration. And yes, do the leather! Food and beverage spills don’t stand a chance of adhering to leather.

Here are the latest styles. Go ahead, have a chair and linger awhile. What’s your favorite?

Willey Design LLC

Bar stools pose the ideal opportunity for some personality. All these Calvin stools by Arteriors add a modern twist to the otherwise conventional kitchen. Notice the way the black of these pendants balances the white and black of the bar stools.

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

The BaBa bar stool by Design Within Reach is a sculptural choice with this warm and handsome kitchen. I love the broad base, which can help prevent tipping. Seat heights for this design are 261/2 inches for counter stools and 291/2 inches for bar stools.

Lucy Interior Design

This fashion is by influential designer Harry Bertoia. Designed in the first ’50s for Knoll, it was the first of its type with sculpted steel rods. This contemporary, eclectic option is fantastic with this particular light-filled kitchen.

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

Another iconic layout, by Norman Cherner, this bar stool functions in contemporary and transitional spaces. The swanky back is surprisingly comfortable.

Yvonne McFadden LLC

Notice the way the sharp lines of these shiny metal bar stools by Go Home comparison the raw wood of this island. The eye enjoys contrast, making this a perfect pairing.

Lloyd Architects

Pick a color — any color, really. Bar stools and counter stools offer you a great way to establish a color palette. Lime-green leather stools from Crate & Barrel kick this kitchen up a notch.

The House Of Mink

The ideal classic treasure may be difficult to discover, but it is well worth the attempt. These classic stools are ideal in this midcentury area. Check antiques shops, flea markets and eBay for great vintage finds.

A footrest is a nice bonus on counter and bar stools. There are several better ways to encourage lingering in the kitchen than having a comfortable spot for feet and backs. Here the Enzo counter stool combines steel and warm wood for a winning combination.

Sarah Greenman

The Dowel counter stool comes with a swivel and comes in a multitude of colours to delight all your color whims. Orange or pickle green is a great choice for midcentury modern design.

Brandon Barré Architectural Interior Photographer

If lightweight bar stools are a wish list item for you, look no longer. The Delta bar stool from Crate & Barrel is made of feather-light aluminum using an anodized finish, and you’re able to discover cushions in several colours.

Charmean Neithart Interiors

This beach house called for something mild and unfussy, and these French café bar stools (shown here in burnt oak with custom chair pads) fit the bill.

Group3 Architects llc

Backless is sexy for bar stools, too. Have a look at this vintage-inspired Toledo bar stool from Restoration Hardware for instant vintage appeal.

Inform us What is your bar stool design?

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Microwaves can be tricky for a kitchen designer. They aren’t the belles of the ball nor the cutting-edge appliance du jour. Yet most people use them and need them at a place. They also are available in many shapes and sizes, unlike other appliances. Learn about the four main types of microwaves here and get some tips about how best to pick and put them.

Ellen Grasso & Sons, LLC

Built-In Microwave

What it is: Built-in microwaves include a trim kit that is often ordered separately. Any size microwave can be built in — large-capacity, high-wattage units or compact countertop units — but the trim kit permits the microwave to seem more integrated.

Variations: Built-in microwaves can be set up on their own at a cabinet or over a single oven unit. Trim kits from manufacturers frequently come in a couple of sizes, and custom trim kits are also offered.

When to use: When specifying a microwave, it is important to take into account the following:
Can it be found in a place that is out of the cook’s way but also easy to access? I have found that near the refrigerator works best.
Is there counter area nearby to set hot dishes on?
Can it be in a convenient height for the whole family?How deep is your cabinet for your microwave? How does this use adjacent cabinetry? Which way would the microwave door swing? Will the door get in the way?
Hint: Be attentive when figuring the thickness of the cabinet for your built-in microwave, and make sure you measure the plug, also. Specs can be hard, and the thickness of the plug might make your microwave not seem so built in after all.

John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA

Microwaves over built-in ovens seem better when they appear to be exactly the same width as the oven below it, which is why you might need a larger trim kit.

Julie Williams Design

You can put in a normal microwave at a base cabinet, but you might want to check out microwave options, which are often much simpler to use in this place.

Sears

Dacor Discovery Convection Microwave, Stainless Steel – $969

Trim kits are available from many microwave manufacturers, but you can also purchase after-market kits online for a good price.

Turan Designs, Inc..

Over-the-Range Microwave

What it is: In over-the-range microwaves, the microwave and stove hood are one unit. A few of these units vent, while others only recirculate air. These units are approximately 24 to 30 inches wide and are shallower than full-size constructed microwaves. The shallow size means they can be set up over the cooking surface without causing you to hit your mind every time you lean forwards to mix the tomato sauce.

Variations: the majority of these microwaves are made to go over a 30-inch selection or cooktop and might come with trim bits to make them seem wider. Recirculation and vented options are both available. When it is a vented model, check out the wattage and CFMs (cubic feet per minute) on the hood to make sure that you’re getting the right one for your needs.

When to use: If you are limited on space in your kitchen, this is a great bet. Stylewise, it proceeds to seems better in a apartment or condo than a single-family house. If you’ve got the distance, I recommend installing a stand-alone exhaust fan or hood and placing the microwave in a different place. From a design perspective, hoods control a presence and seem more substantial over a range than a microwave-hood combo. Additionally, microwave-hood combos tend to be somewhat less powerful, since they have lower CFMs. The same is true of recirculating hoods, which have charcoal filters and don’t actually port to the exterior.

IKEA

Framtid Microwave Oven With Extractor Fan – $249

Over-the-range microwaves are very similar in style and are shallower in thickness to fit under a normal wall cabinet. The shallower depth allows for them to be put lower over the cooking surface (24 inches off the cooktop) than a normal hood (30 inches over the cooktop).

Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

Drawer Microwave

What it is: A drawer microwave permits for base cabinet setup. Because it pulls out, the switches are positioned higher, making it simpler and easier on the back.

Variations: A few manufacturers today make these, but they’re not exceptionally different from one another except in fashion. Typically they arrive in 24- or 30-inch wide options and fit inside a standard base cabinet. If you are using cabinets from a stock cabinet company, make among those cabinets will work with the device you’ve selected.

When to use: Some homeowners actually struggle with microwave place; placing it in the wrong place can actually ruin the kitchen’s aesthetic. Installing the microwave anywhere below eye level can enhance the design of a wall cabinet or tall cabinet arrangement.

Erin Sander Design

Drawer units won’t ruin the hardness or hardness of a kitchen. Additionally, it is handy to have the counter area directly in front of you when you’re handling a hot dish.

AJ Madison

Sharp Insight Pro Series Built-In Microwave Drawer – $734.30

A 30-inch drawer unit works very well below a wall mount. The 24-inch versions are more streamlined and suited for individual base cabinets.

Insignia Kitchen and Bath Design Studio

Countertop Microwave

What it is: These are the traditional, everyday, what-you-grew-up-with type of microwaves, intended to sit on the countertop and plug right in. You might even use these as built-in units by adding a trim kit.

Variations: Dozens of options for wattage, size and finish are available. There does not appear to be much standardization for this appliance.

When to use: I love to put countertop microwaves in markets, on shelves with cookbooks or hidden away behind a pocket door or cabinet door. I rarely put a countertop microwave to the true counter.

Sophisticated Construction Inc..

This microwave sits only on a shelf, with open shelves over, creating a breakfast-bar feel.

Heartwood Kitchens

You could also conceal one behind a pocket door or a uphinged door.

The French Tradition

In my old apartment we had ours concealed in the pantry like this, and I loved it. A little warning about putting a microwave at the pantry: The pantry might end up smelling like the sandwhich your warmed up for lunch.

AJ Madison

Viking Professional Series Countertop Microwave Oven

Most manufacturers make countertop microwave versions which can be built in or utilized as stand-alone choices.

Tell us Where would you keep your microwave?

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Raised-panel kitchen cabinets are typically found in much more traditional-style kitchens and typically need more ornate and detailed upholstery to counterbalance the heaviness of this door style. They want hardware that has visual weight as well.

Most of the time, people choose hardware that fits the kind of their kitchen — be it Victorian, colonial, Craftsman etc. — but that doesn’t mean that you can’t mix this up and violate the rules. Really like the look of cabinets? Here’s help selecting the most appropriate hardware style.

Compare more kitchen cabinet styles

Turan Designs, Inc..

1. Drop Pulls

This fashion of hardware includes a female touch. You could expect to see it on a piece of furniture rather than on a kitchen cabinet, which explains the reason why it works so well on a raised-panel kitchen cabinet.

Knob Gallery

Santa Fe Classic Brass Drop Pull – $45.04

What they do for your kitchen: Insert a furniture texture to fitted cabinetry.

That which they work well with: Traditional-style Baths, leaded glass inserts, inset cabinetry.

GDC Construction

2. Knobs With Decorative Backplates

Hardware like this makes a strong unfitted, furniture-style statement. It is ornate and decorative, and often a little awkward, but it really sets the tone of a kitchen the way jewelry sets the tone of an outfit.

Hardware Hut

Belwith Manor House Cabinet Knob – $3.89

What they do for the kitchen Create a proper and old-world texture by including a decorative element to each door and drawer front. They place less focus on the utilitarian function of a kitchen and much more focus on the style.

That which they work well with: Unfitted furniture-style cabinetry, furniture-style toe kicks, glazed and stained cabinet finishes.

Turan Designs, Inc..

3. Accented Wire Pulls

Simple and tasteful, accented wire pulls are a simple option for a traditional-style kitchen with raised-panel doors. Accented wire pulls can have fluted ellipses, birdcage accents or an easy bead — there are a lot of choices within this class of more traditional-style pulls.They offer only enough embellishment without being overly heavy-handed.

Restoration Hardware

Rosette Pull – $15

What they do for your kitchen Add only enough embellishment and detail. They feel normal without being overly severe or stuffy.

What they work well together: Glazed and troubled cabinet finishes, custom made wood hood surrounds, architectural details like columns, legs and fluting.

Hardware Hut

Top Knobs Tuscany Cabinet Knob – $10.80

Matching knobs are usually readily available for accented cable pulls.

Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

4. Industrial-Style Face-Mounted Pulls

Going industrial on a traditional raised-panel door style everybody’s initial taste or cup of tea, but it’s a refreshing alternative. Mixing industrial pulls with much more timeless knobs and latches can help to balance a look out.

KnobsandHardware

Sugatsune FT-1 Classic Designs Medium tug – $28.90

What they do for your kitchen Create contrast and a little bit of aesthetic tension, where everything doesn’t match. Industrial pulls can even be glamorous when they’re at a high-polish finish.

That which they work well with: Sleek and stylish (but not overly contemporary) stainless steel hoods, contemporary faucets, granite countertops that are thick.

Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

These old-fashioned window sash–fashion pulls add classic flair. Mixing sizes and profiles increases the eclectic vibe in this kitchen.

MyKnobs

Deltana Oil Rubbed Bronze Cabinet Pull – $29

What they do for your kitchen: Create a classic, collected-over-time feel.

What they work well together: Black-grouted subway tile, bronze industrial light fittings, black enamel appliances like a hood or range.

Venegas and Company

5. Wood Knobs

All these have a very old-fashioned furniture style. They might not be the most practical for a high-use kitchen, particularly in a painted white finish, but they seem great.

Hardware Hut

Amerock Woods Cabinet Knob – $4.96

What they do for your kitchen : Create the appearance of furniture.

That which they work well with: Mixed wood finishes, unfitted furniture-style cabinetry, counter details like grass rack cabinets.

JacksonBuilt Custom Homes

6. Bin Pulls and Knobs

We’ve mentioned in another ideabook that these look great on Shaker-style cabinets, but as you can see, this really is a really versatile design that works well on a variety of door styles.

Hardware Hut

Amerock Solid Brass 3-Inch Pull – $14.59

What they do for the kitchen: Assist tone down an ornate raised panel door with their simplicity.

That which they work well with: Knobs on white or off-white cabinetry, vintage light fixtures, wood floors, butcher block counter tops.

Compare more kitchen cabinet fashions

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Deciding on finishes is one of the pieces of a remodel a kitchen remodel. Browse the discussion boards and you’ll get a taste of just how confusing the procedure can be.

Of course, what makes it even more complex is that there is no set rule to selecting materials and finishes. “There are as many rules as there are customers and designers, as well as combinations of clients and designers,” says architect Thomas Ahmann. Every project differs. But there are still a few general guidelines that can help you make sense of your own kitchen remodel. We talked to three professionals — Ahmann, Steve Justrich and Robert Kelly — that gave us their best professional advice for choosing a kitchen stuff palette.

Hart Associates Architects, Inc..

1. Start with your countertops. “Countertops require careful contemplation, particularly for a large island, since this can be the largest single item of color and feel,” says Ahmann. This large surface area is a excellent place to start and can be the foundation for the rest of your kitchen’s stuff palette.

Select a countertop that is durable and easy to clean. Justrich recommends looking into composite or granite materials . To get a larger statement, opt for stainless steel, zinc or natural timber. Aim for mild, smooth and reflective materials. Large-format tiles or slabs of stone will reduce grout lines and generate a smooth and surface.

Kelly recommends sticking with one countertop material, with a small variation at the pantry or island, for simplicity and consistency.

Beach Dwellings

2. Consider the cabinetry. Based on the kitchen, Ahmann may start with the cabinet as the beginning of the materials palette. “This is what ends up being most ‘in mind,’ since the wall cupboards are smack dab at eye level,” he states.

Kelly keeps his stuff choices as simple and natural as you can. Slate, marble and timber are common choices. He recommends sticking to a little palette — four or three substances — to keep it simple. Look for light-colored cabinetry to keep the space open and bright, with different substances in small doses for visual depth and feel.

Fivecat Studio | Architecture

3. Use additional finishes to pull on the distance together. “Let contrast be the key,” states Justrich. “When the counters are dark and rich, proceed with a milder backsplash. A monochromatic approach is very good, but if the countertop is visually active, calm down it to the backsplash.” Opt for a backsplash color that visually contrasts with your cabinetry and counter. Floors are often decided based upon the surrounding rooms, but make certain that the colors will not clash with what’s on your kitchen.

Another small things — lighting, fixtures, bar stools and hardware — can tie the appearance of the kitchen together. Again, less is more here. “Kitchens of multiple materials and colours call for a great deal of finesse,” states Ahmann.

Inform us How can you select your kitchen stuff palette?

Homeowner Workbook: How to Remodel a Kitchen

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Microwave drawers are sweeping our nation’s kitchens for great reason. With a capacity of about 1 cubic foot, the typical undercounter microwave fits in seamlessly with the rest of your cabinets while opening up prime property over your stovetop or on your countertop.

Microwave drawers are conveniently situated at hip level, allowing for much safer treatment. Marketed towards families on the go, they are installed at an accessible height for children and equipped with safety locks for homes with toddlers.

As the countdown to my kitchen renovation continues, it looks as if I’ll be adding another appliance to my wish list. I love to tuck things away, so it seems a built-in compact microwave drawer is the best solution for us.

What about you personally? Take a look at these examples and let me know what you think.

Design Savvy

The short end of a kitchen island typically goes rancid. The 24-inch Sharp microwave oven is a smart use of this space.

Alicia Shearer, ASID, CID

Set a microwave drawer next to the oven, so when a dish is defrosted in the microwave you can pop it right into the oven.

HartmanBaldwin Design/Build

Standard microwaves have a hinged door developed for right-handed cooks, but microwave drawers open wide, permitting easy access for everybody.

Su Casa Designs

While I am typically a fan of the kitchen sink window, I wouldn’t turn down a microwave drawer window.

Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc..

A clutter-free work surface is high on my priority list. You have freed up countertop property by tucking the microwave under the counter.

Anna Lattimore Interior Design

Although this country kitchen is big, the appliances (like the microwave) are centrally situated, allowing for efficient food prep.

Mrs. G TV & Appliances

Viking’s Undercounter DrawerMicro Oven beautifully meets the Viking 48-inch Dual Fuel Range in this Philadelphia kitchen.

Marcia Moore Design

By installing a microwave designer Marcia Moore managed to define a contemporary exhaust hood in place of an over-the-range microwave with ventilation.

Thorson Restoration & Construction

First historic touches such as wide plank floors and exposed beams accentuate this upgraded cookery. With the microwave hidden at the end of the huge island, you are able to observe the architectural qualities rather than the appliances.

Cabinetry Studio from MainStreet

Rather than eat up wall cupboard area, this microwave drawer tucks easily into normally unused area on the kitchen island.

More:
How to Select and Use Ecofriendly Kitchen Appliances

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Despite its title, a breakfast bar isn’t only a place for a morning latte and a bowl of oatmeal. This useful feature, which may be as simple or ornate as your kitchen is, matches multiple roles: a cocktail party buffet, a kids’ homework channel, additional dinner party seating and more. Listed below are eight excellent approaches to take into account.

Most breakfast bars sit higher than the kitchen countertops, but this one takes the opposite tack. Diners can sip a beverage or nibble hors d’oeuvres at a comfortable height, however still have a fantastic perspective of the cooking activity.

Michael A. Menn

This breakfast bar, designed along the same lines, provides the feel of a demilune table. Like the one in the prior photo, it has dropped enough to accommodate standard seats rather than stools.

Alex Amend Photography

The back of this half-wall could readily have languished as wasted space. Fortunately, someone saw an opportunity and set it to work with an easy bracketed strip of timber that produces the perfect place for perching with coffee or cocktails.

A slim breakfast bar runs the perimeter of this screened-in porch — an innovative way to maximize space and keep the focus on these amazing views.

Mc Adam Kitchens

This round breakfast bar has a lot of things going for it. Not only does it allow for simpler conversation than a traditional side-by-side seating arrangement, but it also has the feel of a desk. A dropped cupboard divides it from the work surface without putting too much space between both.

Hufft Projects

Assessing this countertop serves a double purpose: It opens plenty of space to tuck in stools, and it also expands the work place when no one’s eating.

Vanillawood

Even the tiniest bit of additional counter space may work as a breakfast bar. This slight overhang provides only enough room to slip in a pair of stools at right angles to each other.

Kaplan Thompson Architects

This lovely vignette demonstrates a breakfast bar doesn’t have to be complicated. A very simple plank and a pair of stools are all that’s required to create a space for romantic dining table with a front-row chair for neighborhood street life.

More:
20 Favorite Modern Bar and Counter Stools
Kitchen Layouts: Island or Peninsula?

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Picking out stools for your kitchen island or peninsula sounds really easy: Just stop by a few stores or surf online, pick a style you prefer and run with it. But there is more to this process than you may think. Equip yourself with these recommendations to make sure the stools you select strike the right balance between visual appeal and functionality.

Camilla Molders Design

Determine the style that suits your kitchen. This appears to be a no-brainer, but there are many stool kinds on the market that narrowing down the options can easily overwhelm you. To simplify the procedure, think about it from one of two approaches: You can select stools that complement your kitchen or comparison with it.

Imagine Living

By way of instance, if you’ve got a cottage kitchen, you may stay with this particular theme and include white wooden stools with cushioned, skirted linen seats. Or you might inject an industrial note with distressed metal stools from a flea market. Just make sure you remain in the same general family — don’t try to pair glossy space-age stools with, say, a formal, conventional kitchen.

Marla Schrank Interiors

Pick on the proper height. You’ll want to allow enough legroom for people to sit , and the only means to have it right is by simply measuring. Determine the distance from the ground to the underside of your countertop or other outside, then subtract between 10 and 14 inches. The result is your target stool height.

Melaragno Design Company, LLC

Learn how many you are going to need. People perched on the stools may want plenty of elbow space. As a guideline, plan on 26 to 30 inches between the center of each chair. In addition, don’t place stools in which they’ll block the kitchen workflow or traffic . That may mean limiting them to only 1 side of an island or island, or at the very least having a place to tuck them whenever they may be whatsoever.

John Kraemer & Sons

Road test for comfort. Spend a good when sitting in any feces that makes your brief list and search for potential trouble spots. Does it cut to your legs in an awkward angle? Do you feel safe leaning back? Can there be a logical place for your feet to rest? If you’ve got the need to hop down long after you choose a chair, you can bet your guests will do exactly the same.

Vendome Press

Look for easy-to-clean materials. Spills, stains and splashes are unavoidable at the kitchen, so select stools created from substances that can take some wear and tear. Strong or stained wood, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, acrylic, resin and vinyl all resist moisture and oils.

Stools with caned or basket-woven seats are classic, but you are going to have to be diligent about wiping down cracks and crannies. If you go for an upholstered fashion, care for the cloth using a stain protector to keep it looking its best as long as you can.

Su Casa Designs

Assess for quality structure. Because stools become pushed, pulled, banged and jostled every day, you will want to be sure yours are well made. Inspect the linking or soldering; check the backs for equilibrium; make sure fabric is securely attached.

Invest in the features that are most important to you. Consider the extras that you crave. Would you want the seats of your stools to swivel? Would you prefer a prominent footrest? Don’t be tempted to cut corners in the long term, these finishing touches will make your seating satisfactory for years to come.

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This clean and tasteful Atlanta kitchen was originally a huge ’80s-style wreck. The original kitchen was poorly laid out, had the standard ’80s ending and was riddled with poor construction. The homeowner needed not only to update the kitchen’s style but to create an area that would allow for cooking and entertaining without disrupting traffic flow.

By including a little addition to a single side of the kitchen and reframing a portion of the space, Renewal Design-Build created enough room for extra living space, storage and cooking.

Renewal Design-Build

Smooth was the priority for this redesign. Wiring, windows and poor structural supports were only some of the things that needed to be substituted.

Once the kitchen had been brought up to code, Renewal Design-Build produced a number of floor plans to allow the homeowner to consider, all which allowed for casual diningroom, plenty of storage and a clean entrance and exit to the lawn. This specific design has many activity zones designed to control traffic flow in the kitchen.

Cabinetry: habit, Timberland Cabinetry, painted in Revere Pewter, Benjamin Moore; refrigerator: Jenn-Air Bottom Mount Refrigerator

Renewal Design-Build

Organizational details make a big difference. The handy shelf supporting the scope, as an instance, frees up precious inches of counter space.

Backsplash and island countertops: Sienna silver travertine, Walker Zanger; Updated counter: Radianz Everest white quartz; stove: Wolf 30-inch

Renewal Design-Build

This soft green-blue cupboard is where Renewal Design-Build put the coffee and tea station for the family. A little nook built into the cabinetry keeps it out of the way from the kitchen’s main prep and cooking areas.

The homeowner’s artwork, china and furniture helped determine that this soft shade of green, which keeps the kitchen otherwise grey palette from feeling too cold.

Paint: Warm Springs, Benjamin Moore

Renewal Design-Build

Tucked away at the end of the counter tops, simple built-in wine storage keeps favorite bottles of wine on hand with eyeglasses stored right above.

Oven: Miele Rate

Renewal Design-Build

The homeowner wanted the kitchen to have better accessibility to the outdoors, therefore Renewal Design-Build additional two new entrances and exits. The team made certain that the doorways were split from the main part of the kitchen to control traffic flow. A drop-off channel for keys as well as other odds and ends keeps items from filtering into the kitchen.

Around the corner, shallow but wide pantries make the most out of limited distance.

Renewal Design-Build

Originally there were structural details with the soffits and ceiling elevation changes from the first addition that the team needed to deal with. But by incorporating molding in various depths, they were able to create a gorgeous focal point.

A ceiling bump-out for the couch and a few feet of floor area for the dining table made a big difference in the area’s functionality.

“You don’t always have to do large developments to acquire a great kitchen,” says Heather Shuster, project development manager at Renewal Design-Build. “Focused zones and storage can make a beautiful and functional space.” The team only added a tiny square footage here (less than 12 square feet), but it left a big difference in the design and flow.

Chandelier: Practically Infinity Duet, Hubbardton Forge; faucet: Franke; faucet: Grohe

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