The kitchen is the heart of the home, offering a central place for family and friends to come together, socialize, and of course – eat! It’s one of the most-used spaces in your house (if not the most-used), which is why it deserves extra thought and consideration when designing it.
Think of the following as the ultimate guide for building your dream kitchen:
Choose Your Style
The style of your kitchen influences everything else – the architectural details, countertop and backsplash materials, cabinets, flooring, appliances – everything. You’re also going to be spending a lot of time in your kitchen, so you’ll want it to have a design that suits your lifestyle and feels trendy for years to come.
Plan Your Dream Kitchen Layout
Figuring out your kitchen floor plan goes far beyond just deciding whether you prefer an open or closed layout — it’s about your unique routine, workflow, and lifestyle. Consider the following when planning your kitchen…
Make unloading groceries easier by including countertop space with convenient access to the pantry and refrigerator.
If you typically have more than one cook in the kitchen, you’ll need more room to move around. You may even want to add additional appliances, like a second sink, or expand your workspace with a large kitchen island.
Adding a space for casual dining, such as bar seating creates a comfortable spot to have more laid back meals with your family, chat with guests while you cook, or just sit and enjoy your morning coffee.
Think About Your Dream Kitchen Add-Ons
One of the best parts about building your own kitchen with Compass Homes is getting to add your own unique touches. And nowadays, it’s easier than ever to elevate both the beauty and functionality of your kitchen with a few luxurious amenities. Here are a few ideas we love:
Built-in Music Systems and Television – Want to bring entertainment right into the hub of your home? Adding a television makes it easy to catch up on with favorite shows, watch cooking tutorials, or check the score of the game while you clean or prep food. A built-in music system, on the other hand, can be the perfect way to set the mood during a dinner party, or just add some background music to your daily routine.
Messy Kitchen or Scullery – We’re big fans of messy kitchens and sculleries, as they make the kitchen feel both more functional and high-end. These spaces provide extra storage and room for food prep, making them a great option to consider if you prioritize a clean, uncluttered look. Adding hidden doors to conceal these spaces is also becoming increasingly popular among homeowners, acting as a stylish and thoughtful way to maintain a sleek, seamless aesthetic throughout the kitchen.
Kitchen Bar – Adding a bar area to the kitchen is a fun (and functional) way to enhance your kitchen – especially if you love to entertain. Not only does it create a natural zone for gathering and mingling during parties, but it helps keep guests out of your main prep zone. Including a wine or drink fridge, shelves for glassware, and even a sink for easy cleanup can make this dedicated space both visually pleasing and incredibly useful.
Set the Mood with Lighting
The right mix of lighting doesn’t just add to the functionality of your kitchen, it’s what brings the entire space to life. At Compass, we suggest using a combination of natural, task, accent, and ambiance lighting to transform your kitchen into an inviting atmosphere where cooking, entertaining, and gathering feel easy.
Recessed Lighting – This type of lighting can be treated as ambient or task lighting, and is installed directly into the ceiling, creating bright, overhead light that doesn’t take up space in the room.
Cabinet Lighting – Using in-cabinet lighting, under-cabinet lighting (or both) are simple ways to create more drama in your kitchen and accent certain areas. The former works great for spotlighting open or glass cabinetry, while the latter casts a nice glow on the countertops.
Pendant Lighting – Using a pendant (or multiple pendants) can be used for task or accent lighting, add light to low visibility areas, or highlighting the kitchen island.
Well-placed windows – Including the right size and location of windows can cast natural light into your kitchen so that you don’t have to rely on artificial sources all day long. Even more, it can highlight the materials in your kitchen more beautifully than artificial lighting, and make the space feel warmer, larger, and more welcoming.
At Compass Homes, we understand that designing your dream kitchen can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to. With your vision and our award-winning designers, we’re here to help bring it all together and build a kitchen that’s both fabulous and functional. Contact us today to get started building your new home.
