5 Underrated Kitchen and Bathroom Features
For many homeowners, the kitchen and bathroom are two of the most used and appreciated rooms in the house. If you have plans to renovate, it’s important to plan for an end result that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also easy and efficient for everyone to use. Ideally, their design should meet your daily needs and suit your style. Here are 5 underrated kitchen & bathroom features you should consider for your next refresh:
Prep Sink or Second Sink
“Everything but the kitchen sink” may be a common phrase, but this key feature should never be overlooked. As one of the most used items in the kitchen, it’s important to leverage the sink in order to maintain an efficient workspace. This area can be crowded with plates, utensils, cutting boards and more during meal prep!
A prep sink or second sink is particularly handy when two people need to use the kitchen at the same time. While one washes and preps vegetables, the other can be washing up! This extra feature can be a lifesaver when entertaining guests and it can also halve your cleaning time.
Typically, the main sink is a large double-bowl sink while the prep sink or second sink is located on a separate bench.
Natural Materials
For most people, natural materials are inherently higher quality than synthetic materials. Whether it’s a subconscious opinion or not, this feeling is shared by many homeowners as well! Looking to nature and choosing natural materials such as real stone, wood, and others provide a feel-good aura that helps promote rest, relaxation and self-care. It’s also why many spas prefer earthy elements in their establishments!
For your own remodeling project, consider marble vanities (an industry favorite) or wood vanities. Professionals love marble because it patinas beautifully as time goes by and it remains a classic for the ages.
Smart Bathroom & Kitchen Storage
With so many different kitchen and bathroom items to store, it is critical to be smart about your cupboard or drawer space. Having deep kitchen drawers is the best way to store pots and pans, plus other items like bowls, plates, and more.
Do you have a lot of cutting boards and oven trays? Vertical storage is the way! And if you’ve always wanted a walk-in pantry but are pressed for space, consider a pull-out pantry instead. This way, when you open the pantry doors, the internal shelves are pulled out and make everything accessible!
Every modern vanity should offer smart storage; a bathroom can’t function without it! A mix of open space, cabinets, drawers, or other solutions is recommended to store your towels and other accessories.
There are also so many ways to add bathroom storage in an appealing and functional way using beautiful cabinetry. Consider adding a hidden hamper near your shower, like in a vanity or linen cabinet, to prevent towels and clothes from piling up.
Quality Plumbing
Kitchen and bathroom features like plumbing fixtures and faucets shouldn’t be judged on style and appearance alone. Their inner components are key to how long they will last and how well they will function. Low-quality fixtures often have pieces inside that quickly break down, negatively affecting water flow and other features.
If you’re looking for areas where it’s wise to choose low-cost over quality, look elsewhere! Your plumbing fixtures should always be high quality because of how much is affected by them. It’s usually the starting point for bathroom remodels as well and where the design process starts!
Bench Space
Is there such a thing as having too much bench space? Survey says no! Kitchen bench space is vital. Of course, your kitchen size will determine how much bench space is available to you, but it’s important to consider these two areas that need adequate space.
Ensure that you have enough bench space for your ingredients next to your stovetop so they are easy to reach when you need to add to what you’re cooking. This will keep you from leaving your meals to over-cook, boil or burn!
Bench space on either side of your kitchen sink is also important because that’s where you can stack both dirty and washed dishes while cleaning. If you regularly use your dishwasher though, a dish rack isn’t required anymore so you would only need bench space for stacking dirty dishes before rinsing.
In need of professional kitchen design assistance? The team of experts at Anve Kitchen and Bath have got you covered. Learn more about our dream kitchen design services online or contact us if you’re curious about how we can help you make sure you make the most of these underrated kitchen and bathroom design features!
