11|2019

Elements of a Well-Designed Kitchen

When you finally decide to create the kitchen of your dreams, your adrenalin surges. You are excited by the opportunity to select the perfect cabinets, all the right appliances, and the finishes that enable you to make a personal design statement. You smile envisioning the wonderful and lasting memories that you will be able to create in your new space.

French Country Custom Kitchen Denver Colorado

While product selection is fun, there are other aspects of a kitchen remodel in Denver to consider. Your new kitchen should not only look spectacular, but it also should function spectacularly as well. The following are attributes of what you should expect from a qualified kitchen designer.

A well-designed kitchen provides adequate space for you, your guests, family members and others to maneuver without running into one another or bumping into things. You should be able to open the refrigerator and dishwasher completely without hitting anything or anybody. One way to ensure adequate maneuverability in a space is to allow for at least 48 inches between countertops or a countertop and the island. The amount of space dedicated to maneuverability is often dictated by how you use your kitchen, for what purposes and how frequently. A well-designed kitchen is an organized kitchen. Avid or frequent cooks typically enjoy having spices, bottles of vinegar and oils and other frequently-used products near the cooktop or in the area where most meal preparation takes place. Cabinets for dishes and glassware are typically best near the dishwasher.

white painted cabinet kitchen stained island PP

A well-designed kitchen accounts for appliance dimensions, both big and small. A good rule of thumb is to select appliances before cabinetry to help ensure that the dimensions are appropriately configured into the design and avoid the potential of creating obstacles.

Lighting can make or break a kitchen, and there are three types of lights to consider.  A well-designed kitchen specifies task lights that shine brightly on surfaces that will be used most often to prepare and cook meals. Ambient lighting provides general illumination, and accent lighting is used to highlight focal points such as keepsakes on open shelves. An effective layered lighting design incorporates different shades, shadows and colors to accentuate the best features of a new kitchen.

Open shelving in this blue painted kitchen remodel castle Rock colorado

A well-designed kitchen provides adequate storage based on the available space and anticipated kitchen use. We recommend that homeowners in Colorado inventory their existing kitchen and identify the pots, pans, utensils, glassware, plates and small appliances that are used most frequently, intermittently or rarely. This process helps to prioritize storage options and maximize the functionality of the space.

Specifying cabinetry that leverages the utility of wall space helps maximize storage space in smaller kitchens. Depending on the look and feel our clients in Denver want to achieve, we will often recommend placing cabinets to the ceiling.

This is transitional Modern design. Shaker cabinets Stained glass backsplash Walnut wood cabinets White quartz counters

Islands are one of the most requested features of homeowners in the Denver Metro area. Islands are often not only a focal point of a new kitchen but serve multiple purposes, from meal preparation and entertaining to a place to complete homework. Islands are only practical if there is sufficient space for them. In selecting an island, determine the functions you expect your island to perform and the items you plan to store in it. Some islands can work more efficiently and effectively if you don’t put sinks or appliances in them.

If you would like to know how you can maximize the functionality and beauty of your kitchen space, please give us a call or visit one of our showrooms and let us show you how to pick the best finish for your new kitchen.

We have Four Colorado Locations to Serve You

JM Kitchen & Bath Design – Denver
2324 S. Colorado Blvd
Denver, CO 80222
(303) 300-4400
Showrooms Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Sat 9:00 am-3:00 pm
*Appointments are encouraged, however, walk-ins are always welcome.

JM Kitchen & Bath Design – Castle Rock
1375 Caprice Drive
Castle Rock, CO 80109
(303) 688-8279
Showrooms Hours: Monday by Appointment Only, Tues-Fri 9:00 am-5:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am-1:00 pm *Appointments are encouraged, however, walk-ins are always welcome.

JM Kitchen & Bath Design – Colorado Springs
4557 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 596-9990
Showroom Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday 10:00 am-2:00 pm
*Appointments are encouraged, however, walk-ins are always welcome.

JM Kitchen & Bath Design – Arvada
Arvada Market Place
7390 W 52nd Ave, Suite A
Arvada, CO 80002
(720) 674-6880
Showroom Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
*Appointments are encouraged, however, walk-ins are always welcome.

Call any of our locations or click here to have one of our designers contact you or to schedule a showroom consultation.