Basic Elements of Creating Unique Kitchens
The kitchen is one of the most important parts of a home. This is often where many important family moments happen, so it only makes sense that the space should be a reflection of your individual personality and style. Creating a unique kitchen is one surefire way to guarantee that your home has its own style, and doesn’t look like anyone else’s space. The good news is, there are a wide variety of ways that you can put your own creative spin on this important room.
Focus on a feeling. Often, the goal when designing a particular room boils down to a specific feeling you want to evoke with that space. In the case of a kitchen, perhaps you really want a modern and sleek feeling, reminiscent of a ship or even an industrial setting. In that case, an obvious choice of materials would be steel. You would also want clean lines and modernistic fixtures. The design and layout can also help support this theme, such as by including curves and angles that fit in with the overall style. On the other hand, if you feel a strong connection to the great outdoors, consider ways that you can recreate a cozy cabin.
Be bold with color. One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to redo a space in a creative and unique way is by choosing a distinctive shade or related group of colors. You can lacquer the cabinets in this shade and—for a drastic move—even consider painting the appliances. To go out of the routine path, perhaps a lime green or something in the pink or orange family suits your personality. This approach isn’t for everyone, of course—a bright or unusual color definitely doesn’t fit a reserved personality, and wouldn’t be a good option if you are aiming for an understated style. Keep in mind, too, that bold colors tend to be a matter of individual tastes. If you have any plans to try and sell the property anytime in the near future, this might limit the buyers for which this room would have strong appeal.
Think outside the box with lighting. If you want to be bold or creative in a less permanent (or at least, easier to change) way, think about new approaches to lighting. There are lots of ways to be creative with lighting, including unusual positioning, hidden designs or eye-catching bases and fixtures. For a splash of color, consider using tinted bulbs—or go high-tech and use color lights that can be controlled by a high-tech system. You might be surprised at what a big difference a few lighting changes can make to an entire room.
Maximize small spaces. You can also use optical illusions and other design tricks to give the visual sense that the space is larger than it actually is. For example, a mirrored backsplash can create the perception of an expanded space. Ditto for strategically arranged lighting. Even flooring with a diagonal design, when positioned the right way, can create the illusion of a larger room. Compact appliances can also help everything else in the room look proportionately larger. Hidden or retractable elements and under-counter gadgets and small appliances can conserve precious counter space.
Expand to the outdoors. Depending on your location and the layout of your home, it may be possible to create a hybrid indoor/outdoor kitchen. This allows you to take advantages of all of the perks that outdoor living space can offer. It also lets you include elements that wouldn’t work for an indoor kitchen, such as an amazing barbecue setup. Plus, with the great climate we enjoy here in Arizona, it’s a shame to waste the chance to enjoy that environment as much as possible. Even if the spaces aren’t directly connected, you may be able to continue the feeling between the two spaces with a common theme or design style.
Add a touch of other cultures or regions. Yes, we enjoy a great environment right here in Arizona with all of the natural beauty that surrounds us, but infusing the space with the spirit of another area or culture can give it a unique look and feel. Choosing some Japanese-inspired details can help establish a Zen-like ambiance, while colors such as turquoise and coral can evoke images of the beach. If you don’t want to fully commit to one theme or fear going overboard, you can go simple with this approach by just adding a few smaller decorating details that offer the subtle suggestion of a certain region.
RW Remodeling has a long history of creating amazing and unique kitchens for our clients, and we would love to design something creative and original for you.