The Kitchen - The Heart of the Home

Do you ever spend much time thinking about what areas of your home you use the most? Generally, you would think that most areas of the home get used on a fairly even basis. But realistically, the areas of the home that are used most often tend to be the living/family room and the kitchen. In fact, a 2022 survey found that more Americans are cooking and baking more often since 2019, therefore spending much more time in the kitchen! The kitchen is referred to as The Heart of the Home for a number of reasons. Let’s talk about them and look at some ways that you can really add to your kitchen being the heart of your home. 

It’s important to understand the history of the kitchen in relation to the home. For centuries, the hearth served as the center of the home, as warmth, light and cooking were provided by the hearth and the home was typically designed around it. Families spent the majority of their time gathered around the hearth - eating, relaxing and socializing. During the 20th century, with modern appliances, central heat and electric stoves allowed for the placement of the kitchen in the home to be more flexible and could often be found towards the front of the home and became brighter, more convenient spaces to enjoy. As the 20th century moved along into the 21st century, the open concept of floor plans became more popular, giving way to the kitchen becoming connected to the living and dining rooms. These modern open concept designs have encouraged the kitchen space to continue to be the heart of the home for families. 

The kitchen functions in multiple capacities, such as cooking, eating, socializing as well as a command center for coordinating daily life, homework, tasks, etc. We tend to start our day enjoying a cup of coffee and breakfast here and come together in the evenings for dinner and preparation for the next day. A great functioning kitchen is so important to your day to day activities. It is standard practice for a kitchen to be designed to be in a triangular workflow, this principle organizes the sink, stove, and refrigerator into a triangular layout to minimize walking distances and maximize efficiency. But aside from the triangular workflow, which is typically already designed into your space, how can you add to and improve your kitchen to really bring it to its full potential as the heart of the home? Below are some key details and ideas!

• Designated food prep areas - utilizing the countertop space closest to the refrigerator, stove and sink, ideally in between them leaves other areas of countertop free and cuts down the amount of cleaning time needed after meal prep. Additionally, grouping appliances by function makes designated work zones for food prep and cooking more efficient

• Avoid high traffic areas of the kitchen when determining your work zones allowing for ease of movement throughout without your work flow being disrupted while cooking. 

• Use the kitchen as a space to bond and to teach. Encourage family members to sit and chat while meals are being prepared (your designated work zones will make this comfortable). Bring the kids in to show them how to cook their favorite meals with you. The kitchen should be a communal space, used for more than just cooking.

• Include smart storage solutions and organization throughout your kitchen to keep the clutter down. The space will feel organized and inviting.

• If you have small kiddos, ensure child safety, easy to reach (safe) items, step stools and maybe an inclusive cooking area for them.

• Add task lighting to your designated work zones: Under cabinet lights, which illuminate countertops; pendant lights over islands and sinks; and range hood lighting, which brightens the cooking surface.

• Don’t be afraid to make the furnishings more cozy and add some warm lighting. Just  because it’s a kitchen does not mean it needs to be cold and sterile. As the heart of the home, it should feel comfortable and appealing.

Sometimes a kitchen refresh is all you need. Sometimes, a whole new kitchen is required to achieve the kind of space you really need and want. The kitchen tends to be one of the biggest renovations in the home but are the most impactful and provide the most value to a home. With a kitchen remodel, it is always recommended to bring on professionals to the project. This takes the stress, unsurety and discomfort out of the process. Hiring the right team for a kitchen renovation or simply a kitchen refresh ensures that you don’t temporarily lose the heart of your home, but rather allows you to still function in and around it during the undertaking. Bella Home Interiors has decades of experience in kitchen refreshes and remodels. Does you kitchen need some extra love to fully be the heart of your home? Schedule an appointment with BHI to begin!