Design for Convenience: Kitchen Edition
We are back to talk about one of our favorite topics—convenience! In our studio, our clients have a wide variety of goals for their kitchens. There is one objective that shows up consistently on every client's wishlist, and that is convenience! That makes sense, right? Who wouldn't want easy access to all the things that exist in the heart of the home? I’m going to share my top recommendations for designing for convenience in your kitchen.
Along with this blog post, I recommend downloading the Ultimate Kitchen Inventory Checklist. Resources like these will make your kitchen renovation journey feel more manageable every step of the way.
The kitchen sink
Single vs. double sink selection
Let's begin with the all-important kitchen sink! Many of us grew up with the double, stainless steel kitchen sink. This was a great solution for handwashing dishes. One side of the sink would be dedicated to soapy water, and the other side would be ready to rinse. One side could fill up with dirty dishes, and the other side could remain free and clear for handwashing, filling a glass with water, and so on.
The issue with the traditional double sink was that the center divider created a major splash zone. The water would pour out of the faucet and jettison off the center divider. The end result? A giant, wet mess! Not to mention that larger pots and trays didn't fit into the sink properly, making cleaning those items difficult.
Double sinks are still widely used today. I am here to make a case for the single sink as the best and most convenient choice for your kitchen. The main reason I love a single-bay sink solution is the ability to wash the larger pots and trays in my kitchen with ease. The next best reason is the elimination of the splash zone. Without a center divider, the faucet water lands in the sink every time, no matter where you have it positioned over the sink. Beautiful!
If you are determined to have a double sink, consider a low divider option, which will still allow you to fit larger trays and pots into the sink and provide a clear division between the two sides. That said, those larger items will need to balance on that low divide for washing which makes it, in my opinion, rather inconvenient.
Photography by Alex Crook
Manual vs. automated faucets
Now that we’ve reviewed the sink, let's talk faucets! In terms of convenience, we will review manual versus automated options. Manual simply means that you physically pull the handle to turn the sink on, off, and adjust the temperature.
Automated options, also referred to as touchless, mean that the faucet turns on either by activating a sensor when waving your hand in front of the faucet or commanding it to turn on with your voice. There are pros and cons to both.
Traditional, manual faucets are simple to operate. However, when it comes to hygiene, they can pose a problem. How many of you can relate to the challenge of manually turning your faucet on while your hands are covered in poultry juices from prepping dinner? That leads me to make a case for the automated faucet—one of the best parts is that it is so hygienic. Imagine that same poultry scenario, but instead of awkwardly using your elbow to turn on the faucet, you voice a command to turn it on. Wow! Now that is convenient!
However, it’s worth noting that while automated faucets are convenient, they can also be troublesome in terms of getting them set up and operating them successfully every time. Each faucet option will have a unique set of instructions for operation. If you are planning to install an automated option, be sure to discuss the operation and installation with your plumbing fixture provider ahead of making the purchase to be sure it is the right solution for you.
Ultimately, the convenience of a manual versus automated faucet truly comes down to the end user and what you need from your faucet experience.
Instant hot water faucet
If you are a tea or French press coffee drinker, an instant hot water faucet could be a convenient game changer in your kitchen! This time-saving system eliminates the need for an electric kettle cluttering your counter or an old-school tea kettle heating on the stovetop. Another super convenient faucet solution is the pot filler. This wall-installed faucet is conveniently placed at your range top and allows for easy pot filing. In other words, no more back aches from carrying the heavy pasta pot from the sink to the cooktop. It is also great for soaking pots and pans pre-wash.
Photography by Emily Keeney
Cabinets
When it comes down to planning your cabinets for convenience, there are a multitude of options available to you. I highly recommend that you begin your cabinet planning journey by grabbing a copy of our Ultimate Kitchen Inventory Checklist AND read this blog post, which breaks down what you need to know before buying kitchen cabinets.
These resources will help you to plan your kitchen cabinets with clear intention identifying all of the things you want and need from your kitchen. To further aid your decision-making process, I am sharing my team’s top picks for cabinet accessories that deliver the convenience factor in a big way!
Plates and bowls in drawers
Let's start with the everyday kitchen items. Traditionally, plates and bowls are stored in upper cabinets or in a sideboard. More and more, my clients are moving toward using wide, deep drawers for their plates and bowls storage. This easy-access location makes these essential items easy to reach for even the smallest members of your household.
Pro Tip: Add a grippy liner to the bottom of this cabinet to keep the items from shifting when the drawer is in motion.
Photography by Emily Keeney
Trash rolls
Incorporating a trash and recycle center, or even a compost center, into your base cabinets is a top need for most of our kitchen design clients. Not only does this function to get the waste out of sight, but it also creates an easy-access waste center. If you want to maximize your waste convenience, consider adding a motion function like this one by Blum and open your trash with a single touch.
Spice drawers and pull-outs
As a foodie who loves to cook, I find it incredibly helpful to have my spices close to my prep and cook zones. Spice drawers tend to be a top pick in terms of single-level spice storage with labels facing up, making grabbing your spice of choice quick and convenient. Spice pullouts located in base cabinets are another great option. The shelves are typically adjustable so that you can customize your spice collection in a way that best suits your needs.
Photography by Emily Keeney
Pantry rollouts
A walk-in pantry lined with shelves is a luxury—and one that most compact to mid-sized kitchens are lacking. My go-to pantry solution in compact kitchens is tall pantry cabinets with roll-out shelves. I like to add 4-5 roll-out drawers to the base portion of the cabinets, making the lowest drawer with tall sides 8-9 inches high to corral larger items like pet food.
When planning my pantry rollout shelves, I plan for heavy-duty hardware so that my clients can load up the drawers without worrying that they will bow as time marches on. Rollout drawers in a 24-inch deep cabinet solution make it easier to see all of the things in your pantry. Now that is convenient!
Super Susan corner solution
Kitchen corners can pose design challenges. In order to maximize this valuable space, you need to consider including a corner cabinet accessory such as a Super Susan. This two-tiered solution uses a ball-bearing system to rotate the individual shelves rather than a traditional pole-style Susan. This creates a wide, clear space to store large items such as pasta strainers, soup pots, and even small appliances.
Photography by Emily Keeney
Charging drawer
Incorporating a custom charging station in your kitchen is a true luxury convenience. I just love an opportunity to tuck away my family’s mountains of cords and charging accessories into a neat drawer. Not only does this keep your counters free of cord clutter, but you will always know where to find your charger!
The baking center
Last but not least, this zone of convenience is for all the bakers reading this post. If you love to roll out dough, bake cookies, and all sorts of yummy things, you will LOVE a dedicated baking center!
What's included, you may ask? A complete baking center will have storage for a stand mixer, baking essentials like tools and ingredients, and vessels like cookie sheets and pie tins. A bonus feature is a countertop that is ideal for rolling dough such as marble.
Photography by Emily Keeney
A little convenience goes a long way in the kitchen
Designing for convenience in the kitchen is possible with the right plan. From choosing a smart sink setup to maximizing your cabinet solutions, there are so many ways to bring ease into this space.
As I mentioned before, I can’t stress how helpful the Ultimate Kitchen Inventory Checklist is! Make sure to download your copy to help guide you through your kitchen renovation journey. For even more Renovation Blueprint goodness, sign up for our newsletter so you never miss a hot tip!
I am also excited to share that in 2024, I am turning the comments on! Please share your thoughts, feedback, questions, and kitchen renovation experiences in the comments below. Let’s keep the conversation going and help each other make the most out of the renovation process.
