Nothing has changed in the fact that the kitchen is the heart of any home. More so if it is connected to the dining area, the kitchen can be the busiest part of a house day in and day out. It is vital for any kitchen to be equipped with all the utensils and equipment for food preparation and cooking, so that food will come out special and out-of-love. For devoted cooks, it is frustrating not to have a rolling pin when making a pizza or a baking pan that can accommodate twenty cupcakes for a bunch of visitors.
However, as utensils are extremely important, kitchen utilities also serve essential roles in food preparation. The faucet, the counter, and the cabinet fall under this category, and without them, a kitchen plan is incomplete. These assist in the kitchen by providing a place to organize utensils, a surface to work on and a sanitary environment. Although it may be enough to have the simplest types of them around, it adds to the drive and excitement to cook if they are maintained well, or at the very best, replaced once worn out.
In the market, there is a wide array of kitchen faucet, cabinet and counter designs available that makes shopping challenging and time-consuming. Thus, before going out to the stores, it is a good practice to think and plan first; survey your kitchen and visualize the utilities that will work best with the design, appearance and other fixtures in it. Having a list of the specifications you want for each will reduce shopping time and give you focus on the ones that you should buy. Also, checking out websites and magazines will open your eyes not solely on some latest kitchen faucet designs, but also on the trendiest kitchen cabinet and counter types that are most popular.
When shopping for faucets, factors to think about are the type of handle, the finish and the features. Faucets can be single-handled or double-handled, the second allowing more comfort whether you are left-or right-hand dominant. Double-handled faucets have separate controls for hot and cold water, while single-handled ones offer easy control with one handle. Finishes for faucets are varied, including stainless steel, chrome, copper, nickel, bronze and brass. One useful feature that you may want is the pull-out sprayer, which can be a great help when washing vegetables and cleaning the entire countertop, as it allows a reach exceeding the sink area. Spout style and height are also varied, and there are additional features for convenience such as touchless controls, water purifiers and soap dispensers.
In terms of cabinets, the trend has moved toward the use of invisible hinges that can be easily adjusted. Designs can be simple or grand depending on the motif being followed, but customization is still highly preferred. On the other hand, countertops are becoming modern with the use of various durable materials. Solid countertops are still in demand, and the options are more varied including acrylic, quartz, granite, and natural stone. These materials are a bit expensive, but they are worth the investment because they have longevity and resistance to elements. You can also opt for laminate countertops and cabinets, with the advantage of being resistant to scratching and scuffing, as well as having a wide variety of colors, textures, patterns and finishes. If you have a rustic taste, a butcher block countertop is perfect; it is highly durable, ages well, and can be finished and refinished to last longer, although the downside is that it requires extra maintenance.
When having a kitchen renovation, it is necessary to match things out with the overall look of the kitchen. Although guidelines are loose, it is still wise to follow a certain standard, may it be color, finish or material. Because cost is a great factor, it is recommended to do the shopping yourself in home improvement shops and look for sales and discounts.
Every homeowner has a mission of completing the fixtures in the house, especially in the kitchen. If you will soon do a big kitchen renovation, heeding these insights on latest and advisable specifications for faucets, cabinets and counters are sure to increase the likeability and functionality of your kitchen.