A Kitchen for both Business and Pleasure

There are some who believe that a way to win a person’s heart is through their stomach. Although it is a common expression geared towards men, it can go both ways for either men or women. Men are said to be better cooks and women can appreciate a man who knows his way around a kitchen.

For those who like to cook and entertain, the kitchen is their domain. Depending on the size and the layout of the kitchen, one or more can be kept busy preparing the meals while others gather to watch how the meals are being made. Similar to how a living room functions, a kitchen is a place where people can informally assemble, relax and spend quality time with each other. In some cases, the design of the kitchen can be used as a topic of conversation where individuals can exchange notes about what they like about the design. For avid cooks, the design of their kitchen can be a source of pride, especially if it was done according to their specifications.

The kitchen has evolved tremendously over time as more than merely a place for cooking. In Europe during the Middle Ages, kitchens were dark places often filled with soot. It was definitely not a place to invite or entertain guests in. During the latter parts of the 20^th century, with the technological advancements and changes in perceptions with regards to cooking, kitchens were no longer hidden away but integrated near or right next to the living room area. This trend had started with the more affluent, slowly affecting the way people reacted to cooking. The process of cooking became less of an everyday task and more of a means for social activity. Kitchens had become an area where one could show off their cooking prowess or certain elements within the design of the kitchen.

There is a wide diversity of kitchen designs and styles that can be used as a basis of inspiration. A kitchen can evoke some of the more traditional styles that give a warm ambience or the clean look of a more modern contemporary kitchen. It can even be eclectic or a mix or several styles. The possibilities are endless and are limited only to the individual’s preference or imagination.

Essential Elements for Small Kitchens

As people trade their spacious homes for the convenience of city living, the space relegated to food preparation has become a last priority to most people.  Sure, you can just have your food delivered and eat on the sofa like the couch potato that you are, but then you should know that this is not the only option for you if you delegate your spaces well. No matter how cramped your home is, most often than not, you’ll find that you can devote your kitchen operations to even the tiniest area:  a cozy corner, a narrow hallway, or even a dead space you would normally just junk your stuff into, such as a staircase landing.  

It will be challenging to transform a small and unusual space, into a beautiful and effective kitchen. However, much can be done with careful planning:

Working Area

Refine your kitchen operations by assessing what activities you will be catering in your kitchen. Whatever it is, set your priorities and organize your work process.  In the design world, we have what we call the working triangle of the refrigerator, sink, and cooker. When you connect those three things together, you’ll get the area where most of the activities will happen. This will be your working area. Expect it to be a busy space, so do not place any obstruction in this area that would prevent you from reaching one of those three elements. 

Storage

You cannot have ‘enough’ storage, and by that, I mean clean ones, especially in the kitchen where you will be keeping most of the things that you’ll put in your mouth. Do not put off cleaning your cupboards once in a while. Depending on your lifestyle, make sure to have just enough storage space that would fit your typical ration of supplies.  If you are lucky enough to live near a market, you can just have a small pantry and replenish them whenever the need arises. 

Appliances and Furnishings

Appliances and furnishings must be kept to a minimum. If they do not have an essential purpose in the kitchen, they don’t have to be there. Appliances should be assessed by how often you would use them. Do you really need that espresso maker, cappuccino maker, and coffee maker? Unless you are planning to put up a coffee house, please limit it to just one. With furnishings, prioritize their utilitarian purpose rather than their aesthetic attributes. You cannot have a cute stool just because it’s pink and it matches your curtain; it has to be there because you’re short and you can’t reach the sink without tiptoeing.

Lighting

It is usually hard to get natural light inside small kitchens in unusual spaces; with good lighting, it will give the illusion of airiness, and you’ll be able to create the ambiance that you want. Install lights that would cast where you’ll be working.  It’s not only wise to put lights underneath hanging cabinets to see what you are doing; it also creates an intimate, if not elegant, work environment.