Introduction
Kitchens are often considered the heart of the home. They are where families gather to cook, eat, and spend quality time together. This week’s featured kitchen is located in Missouri and showcases both high function and a clever hidden feature.
This beautiful kitchen was designed for a family that loves to cook and entertain. It includes top-of-the-line appliances, plenty of prep space, and ingenious storage solutions. But it also has a special secret – a concealed mini bar and wine fridge behind one of the cabinet doors.
Below we will explore the details of this kitchen’s layout, features, and hidden surprise. Discover how the designers were able to incorporate style, storage, functionality, and a bit of playfulness into one amazing culinary space.
Overview of the Kitchen’s Layout and Features
Spacious Floorplan
This kitchen was part of a whole home remodel and was designed to be open to the dining and living areas. It has a large, U-shaped footprint that provides ample room for multiple cooks. There is a wide central island that seats up to five people. This allows for interaction and conversation even while cooking meals.
Top-of-the-Line Appliances
The homeowners are passionate cooks so high performance, restaurant-grade appliances were a must. The kitchen is equipped with a professional-style range, double ovens, oversized refrigerator, and quiet dishwasher. These appliances provide power and capacity to prepare meals for large gatherings.
Abundant Countertop Space
Quartz countertops extend along the parameter of the entire kitchen with a spacious food prep zone beside the cooktop. This provides plenty of area for chopping, rolling dough, staging cooked food, and more. The island also includes seating on one side and food prep space on the other.
Custom Cabinetry
The cabinets utilize a mix of styles and finishes for visual interest. Upper cabinets have a white shaker style design while the lower cabinets are stained wood with overlay doors. Features like pull-out shelving, rollout trays, and tilt-down mixer shelves increase the functionality.
Modern Backsplash
A mosaic tile backsplash in shades of greys and whites provides eye-catching detail behind the cooking zone. The muted color palette keeps the look clean and modern. The tile is easy to wipe down and maintain.
Clever Storage Solutions
Careful planning went into designing storage areas tailored to how the homeowners use their kitchen. Here are some of the specialized storage elements included:
- Pull-out pantry cabinets with easy access to spices, baking ingredients, and other dry goods
- Deep lower drawers for pots, pans, and lids
- Upper cabinets fitted with “blind corner” lazy susan shelving
- Vertical storage for cutting boards, cookie sheets, and oversized platters
- Deep, full-extension drawers for silverware, utensils, and tools
- Slide-out tray dividers for organizing can goods and packaged foods
- Appliance garages to hide small appliances when not in use
- Built-in recycling and trash center
Thoughtful labeling and organization systems help keep everything in its place. The storage solutions combine form and function while maximizing every inch of space.
The Hidden Mini Bar
Now for the whimsical secret feature – a concealed mini bar! Located behind one of the upper cabinet doors is a compact wine fridge and beverage center.
It contains:
- Small refrigerator with glass door to chill white wine and champagne
- Racking for stemware and barware
- Cabinetry with pull-out trays stocked with spirits and mixers
- Charging station for recharging bluetooth speakers
- LED lighting strips to spotlight the contents
This unexpected surprise adds a fun and playful element to the highly functional kitchen. It provides easy access to beverages and bar necessities when entertaining. The mini bar can be discretely closed behind the cabinet door when not in use.
Design Details That Make This Kitchen Shine
Several other design details contribute to the beauty and functionality of this kitchen:
Statement Lighting
The kitchen employs both ambient and task lighting. Pendant lights hang above the central island and sink area to spotlight food prep zones. Recessed can lights provide overall illumination. Decorative fixtures over the dining table add a dramatic focal point.
Natural Materials
Wood elements like open shelving, a butcher block countertop section, and solid wood flooring add organic warmth. The finishes complement the stainless steel appliances for a blended aesthetic.
Quality Textiles
Window treatments in natural fibres and custom rugs with colorful patterns enhance the kitchen’s style. Soft textiles balance the sleek cabinetry and hard surfaces.
Intentional Finishes
Polished nickel fixtures, black metal hardware, and metallic accents on the range hood provide sophisticated touches. These finishes align with the kitchen’s modern farmhouse vibe.
Achieving Multiple Goals
The designers met several goals with this kitchen:
- Created a highly functional cooking and prep space
- Incorporated specialized storage solutions
- Provided room for multiple cooks to work together
- Added seating to allow interaction while cooking
- Included top-tier appliances to meet cooking demands
- Designed the layout for easy transitions from sink to cooktop to oven
- Utilized materials like quartz and tile that withstand heavy use
- Complimented the home’s open floorplan and main living zone
- Added unique details like the concealed mini bar
This Kitchen of the Week seamlessly combines style, organization, performance, and family-friendly livability. The designers achieved a perfect balance of practicality and playfulness.
FAQs about Exceptional Kitchen Design
Kitchen remodels present numerous opportunities as well as challenges. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about creating a high-performing yet beautiful kitchen space:
What design elements can make a kitchen more functional?
- Ample countertop space, islands, and prep zones
- Task lighting over key areas
- Easy access to storage areas
- Cabinetry customized to your needs
- Drawers and pull-outs instead of only shelves
- Appliances that match cooking habits
- Open floorplan for maneuvering
How do I add style to my kitchen remodel?
- Mix natural materials like wood, metal, and stone
- Incorporate textiles with rugs, curtains, and upholstered seating
- Add colorful and unique backsplashes
- Include accent lighting fixtures
- Opt for custom cabinetry styles like inset doors
- Choose sleek or retro-look appliances
- Display collectibles like vintage pottery or teapots
What special features make a kitchen stand out?
- Built-in charging stations
- Under-cabinet LED lighting
- Concealed mini-bars or coffee bars
- Corner banquettes or window seating nooks
- Antiqued mirrored or metal tile backsplashes
- Waterfall edges on islands or peninsulas
- Beverage refrigerators, wine fridges, or kegerators
How can you maximize kitchen storage?
- Install floor-to-ceiling pantries
- Opt for drawer bases instead of cabinets
- Use roll-out trays and pull-out shelves
- Include specialty organizers and dividers
- Have a zone for daily-use items and a zone for special items
- Dedicate an area for small appliances to get them off the counters
- Use wall space for open shelving or extra cabinets
What mistakes should be avoided in kitchen remodels?
- Forgetting lighting plans like pendants and undercabinet lights
- Neglecting ventilation needs like range hoods and exterior vents
- Not planning enough countertop workspace and prep area
- Failing to customize storage areas and cabinetry
- Choosing form over function with poor quality materials
- Overlooking accessibility needs like universal design features
- Not considering traffic flow, work triangles, and openness
Conclusion
This exceptional kitchen in Missouri combines high-end finishes and appliances with clever solutions tailored to the homeowners’ lifestyle. Special details like the concealed mini bar add whimsical flair. It achieves that perfect balance between professional performance and family liveability. This Kitchen of the Week offers inspiration for designers, builders, and homeowners undertaking their own kitchen remodels. With thoughtful planning guided by both function and style, you too can create a kitchen that stands out from the rest.
