We have come a long way from our grandparent’s kitchens, with one wall of basic cabinets and a couple of drawers for silverware. There are so many kitchen tools on the market, as well as small appliances, different kinds of glassware, dishes, serving dishes, utensils, etc.- and we have to have a place to put it all! This is where smart kitchen design and storage come into play.

It’s easy to build a kitchen with lots of storage, even in a smaller space. These days custom kitchen cabinet makers have tons of space saving and smart storage ideas, as does Ikea, which is a great place to go for inexpensive quality kitchen cabinets with clever solutions. Cabinets to the ceiling, pullouts for corner cupboards, lazy susans, and lots of drawers including pot drawers, are all great ways to maximize storage in a smaller kitchen.  

We have all heard of the work triangle in a kitchen, where the sink, fridge and stove are laid out in a triangle for most efficient use. More contemporary is designing kitchens with “zones” in mind: clean up zone, prep zone, cooking zone. This thinking is more current as it allows for more than one cook in the kitchen, which more accurately reflects our modern way of life. I tend to think in terms of zones when laying out a kitchen. Zones don’t have to be huge, just provide the space that is needed for the designated task.

I am a big fan of an island in a kitchen. An island can provide another prep area, even in a small kitchen. In a larger kitchen, an island can be an eating area, a place for a second sink, a prep area, a buffet for large parties, and a gathering place for friends and family. You can also house the entire cleanup area in an island, or stash the microwave or cook top there and turn it into a cooking zone.

In our houses, we usually order custom kitchen cabinets from local manufacturers. We have a good relationship with our suppliers, get great service and it is important to us to support our local businesses, as we want them to do the same! Check out pictures of our kitchens at www.scottinc.ca and see what you think!