Kitchens have come a long way since the 20th century, back then they were typically used for the sole purpose of preparing and cooking food in our home. Today, kitchens have become one of the most social spaces in the house.
Historically, home design in North America and parts of Europe included a separate dining room from the kitchen. Often the kitchen would be the smallest room separated by arches and enclosed in walls. Typically, these old traditional designs allowed for a small table to be placed in the kitchen for less formal dining. Built-in cabinets used to be considered more practical and there wasn’t much of a desire or need for aesthetics. The kitchen archway often led into the dining room where family or other guests awaited for a formal dinner. This 20th century custom has been replaced with an open concept design that adds functionality, aesthetic appeal and increases the value of your home.
In recent home remodeling trends, unnecessary partitions are often removed as they are considered social barriers dividing the kitchen and formal dining areas. We now allow friends and family to cook and chat in the kitchen instead of waiting in a completely different room. Our kitchens have become the focal point of our homes; they are now, in most cases, the largest room in our homes. It shows our class, our social skills, and most important of all, our hospitality.
Kitchens are a wonderful way to represent your home and yourself. Most of us are drawn to modern kitchens these days. After all, it is the first thing we notice when we enter a house. However, as aesthetically pleasing as they are, the practicality of storage and work surfaces has greatly improved since the 20th century.
For example:
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The walls can be removed to create an open concept living room.
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Incorporate an island into your design, fit with bar seats to entertain.
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Drawers “stuck” or noisily open on unresponsive slides – this is a thing of the past. We use ball bearing slides with shock absorbers that allow a smooth and silent closing.
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With the evolution of bottom-mount full-extension slider hardware, drawers can hold more items than ever before and in view, making access super convenient.
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The days of cabinet doors slamming shut and dishes rattling are in the rearview mirror. Modern kitchens use soft close hinges.
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With a little creativity, your designer has a plethora of products to choose from to make use of previously unused or hard-to-find corner storage cabinets. The possibilities are endless and the amount of storage that can be achieved in even a smaller kitchen will amaze you.
