The kitchen should be the heart of the home, not just the place you hate because it's always a mess and constantly cluttered. According to kitchen designer Andrea H. Benedic, the right materials in the kitchen can make for easy clean-up after your favorite meal. The design of the kitchen also contributes greatly to keeping the space spotless. Before designing or remodeling, consider what you use in the kitchen, what you need to maintain it and how the design of the space can make it the most enjoyable room in the house.
- Refrigerators Buy a counter-depth refrigerator that can be inserted into the cabinetry (figure A). You won't have to clean the back, sides and top as often, and the design prevents using the top as a shelf, effectively reducing clutter.
- Stoves Gas stoves are great for cooking, but due to their construction, they require more cleaning than hard-surface stovetops, which clean up quickly with the wipe of a cloth (figure B).
- Cabinets Use 42"-high cabinets if possible. The height neatens the room, and the extra space lets you safely store seasonal serving pieces (figure C).
Countertops These vary widely from laminate to granite and solid surfaces. Although all are easy to maintain, they need proper installation, especially around the seams, to ensure a long life. Tile, which is a great way to add color to the room, is best as a backsplash, not as a countertop: the grout lines can harbor bacteria.Sinks Stainless steel is stylish and easy to maintain, especially if the sink is integrated into the countertop. Stainless steel does not harbor bacteria (figure D).Faucets Adjustable necks make cleanup quick and easy, as do on-site soap dispensers.Appliances Keep appliances, gadgets, cookbooks and decorative details mostly out of sight or to a minimum to prevent creating a messy, hard-to-clean space. Assign everything an out-of-sight space (figure E).
| 
)
)
)
)
)
