I came across a picture of our kitchen from its final stages of a redesign. It’s changed since then, and not in a good way. The crisp sparkle has become tarnished with cleaning products, potted plants, a neglected tray of vitamins and bowls of snacks. While this may not be as devastating as botched cosmetic surgery, it does share the same premise. When we stay close to the most natural, like foods, materials, healthy goals–anything really–they are at their most genuine. Once you begin tinkering with an original aesthetic a fervor takes over. Suddenly you need more–space, things, color. This is a symptom of our constant desire to improve. It’s also counter-productive. Just look at any celebrity with a Beverly Hills’ surgeon on speed dial, to the point where their face is so stretched back they need a translator when speaking. In order to minimize the incessant tweaking, take inventory of what is really needed in your kitchen to keep it from looking too chaotic.
Kitchen during a redesign that’s both simple and updated, the trick is how to maintain the look.
This kitchen is approaching its second anniversary but since that time the once pristine space is now overrun with cutting boards, spice wheels, appliances and other supposed needs that compete with the clean aesthetic. How to control the chaos? Here’s four tips on how to scale back.
4 Ways to Maintain Smart Kitchen Design
- Space: Can’t function in the morning without your coffee? Coffeemaker stays. Do you only make smoothies when your health-obsessed brother-in-law is in town? Stow away. This is how to identify what appliances or kitchen needs earn coveted countertop space. By considering what is used on a daily basis versus occasional needs, the counters will be left open and clean.
- Decor: Overly decorating is a common mistake but, if the design of your kitchen is strong on its own, there is no need to pull in added pieces that will only muddle the scheme.
- Color: Keep the colors simple and unified. A kitchen is essentially a laboratory to create things and, just like that clean lab space, simplicity fosters great results.
- Storage: Utilize kitchen storage areas efficiently so counters are free of detritus. Toss out unused foods on a regular basis. Only buy what you need, which includes cleaning products, accessories and textiles. Cookbooks are great for inspiration but they can clutter a space. Find an accessible place to store them, like above the fridge or an unoccupied drawer.
Resources:
Refrigerator, stove: Elmira Stoveworks
Fireclay apron sink: bocchiusa.com
Highland Park tile: MSI Stone
Counter top: Venezia Marble
Faucet: California Faucet
Espresso machine: Illy
Range hood: Zephyr
Art: ducks goose
