Frustrated with your kitchen? Know the space could be better? We asked a local expert for her advice on what you can do today to improve your kitchen, how to work around the most common kitchen design mistakes, her favorite small space ideas and more! Read ahead for great tips, ideas and inspiring photos...
Cindy Black, an architect in Austin, is behind the great kitchen transformations at Hello Kitchen Design. Along with her husband, architect Rick Black, Cindy tackles a number of residential and restaurant kitchens, working with clients to maximize space and beauty in kitchens within reasonable budgets. Cindy graciously answered some of the most pressing kitchen design issues affecting homeowners and renters today:
Where do you suggest clients start when they are about to tackle a kitchen they are unhappy with?
A lot of clients start by visiting showrooms or collecting images from magazines and some start by shopping for a designer or architect. The second step is to analyze how you cook and understand what you are lacking. If someone can be specific about their needs, then it makes the design process a bit smoother and more efficient.
What are the most common mistakes that clients make with their kitchen design?
What could a homeowner do today to improve their kitchen space?
What can renters do to improve the look of their kitchen without causing any permanent changes?
What are the best things to improve on when you've got a tiny kitchen? What are your favorite small space solutions?
What are some secret tips that don't cost a lot to implement?
Get organized! For a relatively small amount of money, cabinets and walls can be outfitted with metal racks, pull-out shelves, drawer organizers, hooks, and towel bars like IKEA's Grundtal Collection. For good-looking storage I like: Square Canisters from Target, Rösle Utensil Rails from Sur La Table, the Wustoff Knife Holder from Crate and Barrel, Orla Kiley Stoneware Canisters from Target, and cabinet accessories from Blum's Orga-Line.
Finally, what's your favorite tip, idea, trend or color palette?
I like a mixture of color palettes in a kitchen--a combination of natural and painted wood, marble and wood countertops, and bronze hardware. I like copper and want to use more of it! I like an open shelf designated for cookbooks. I like a lounge area in the kitchen, for a little loveseat or 'coffee' chair. I love banks of windows right at counter-height--forget those upper cabinets! I like simple, low tech details--like a slab of wood dropped onto a stuccoed base. I think we've gotten trended out of all the machined products out there, and it would be refreshing to get closer to the materials as they're found in nature.
What do you think of Cindy's kitchen ideas and kitchen transformations? What ideas do you think you could implement in your own space? What ideas have you come up with that have saved you space or money? Let us know!
(Images: Hello Kitchen; Orga-Line photos from Blum website)
Thanks, Cindy!
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
She has great advice and her work is really nice. But to add at the list of petpeeves of mine, I looked over at her web page. Check it out. While I appreciate as a cook the amount of power outlets allover the kitchen counter, I think they look completely an eye sore being in white especially in the seagrass copper kitchen. What a missed opportunity. There are tons of copper outlet plates in the market with very clean lines. The inner sockets can be beige. I don't know but I find these things matter a great deal in the visual context.
view Anusha73's profile
It's worth it to click over to see the slide show of the Orga line. It's amazing! I have a very sweet looking but very tiny rental kitchen. My biggest problem is that most of the wall space is tiled so I can't install wall hanging space savers. Drag! I may get a rod that attaches to the bottom of a cupboard so I can hang utensil holders on it.
view Hollers's profile
P.S. I LOVE the idea of plate storage right on the counter (6th image). How free and easy!
view Hollers's profile
I thought I was the only one who had a small, decorative lamp tucked into the corner at the end of a counter ... love it!
view Jane's profile
I was with her until she suggested ditching the dishwasher. I'd rather get rid of the stove than the dishwasher. Seriously. The dishwasher gets WAY more use at my house.
view Lisa (Montreal)'s profile
my kitchen is only 7x7 feet, and the 24" refrigerator really made a difference. i was skeptical when I bought a $300 Magic Chef at HD, only 10 sq feet and it turned out to be plenty for one person. Got rid of the dishwasher too to add another cabinet and after a couple of months i dont miss it. perhaps someday i'll get an 18" one when i decide to redo the whole place with new cabinets.
view carolynapplebee's profile
Single sinks may save space, but they make efficient dishwashing so much harder, particularly if you're ditching the dishwasher too, or don't have one to start with. After years of single-sinks, i'm so grateful to have a double again. One sink for soap, one for rinse: washup is quick, easy, and doesn't waste water.
Besides, particularly in an apartment with little storage, where else other than under the sink are you going to store recycling?
view brighteyes's profile
Lisa: I know! I want to MARRY my dishwasher!
; )
view Jane's profile
The dishwasher is one of my favorite appliances, but I can see ditching it if you are short on space. I would rather have my pots put away neatly than sacrafice that space for a DW. The drawers in image 8 are a great idea. I recently updated to drawers instead of lower cabinets and not only do I have more space, it's much easier on your back to be able to pull out the drawer instead of bending down digging out a pot or lid. Drawers also give the room a more streamlined look than a bunch of cabinet doors.
view cliokitty's profile
I don't have a dishwasher, and I have less cabinet space than a prison cell. I'd happily lose more cabinet space to get a dishwasher. Particularly since I have one of those "great" bucket sinks, which I HATE. We used to use a tub to make a separate "wash" compartment, but the new sink is too small for that.
That said, I do like her points regarding large kitchens, and I may just get a little fridge when my current large model dies (because it's definitely on it's last legs).
view deliriumsama's profile
Hey everyone I have a nice sized kitchen. Quick question. The cabinets are maple, the walls are chocolate brown. My room mate things the accent colors should be red and red only. I believe in utilizing a mix of colors like yellow, green, and red. What do you guys think?
view tpgirl's profile
I've never had a dishwasher and can't see how they are absolute necessary. I mean, sure, if you have the space why not have one? But otherwise, just wash the dishes yourself...it hasn't killed me yet...
view rosaleen's profile
i didn't grow up with a dishwasher, then i had one for 5 years, now i've moved again and it's been 18 months and i haven't looked back. it saves money AND water.
my kitchen issue is not enough light for sure. i was thinking of ways to temporarily install some lighting under the counter, as i am a renter.
view hla21's profile
Her advice for small kitchens is not exactly what I would do myself. I would keep the dishwasher (there is an in-counter model that can double as a second sink) and ditch the traditional refrigerator for fridge drawers.
I do agree with her that cabinets that end short of the ceiling are a huge annoyance!
view medenver's profile
Thanks for this great article! I love Cindy's ideas & style ... efficent yet elegant / sleek yet warm at the same time ... I believe it's her use of natural elements. Rich, warm, earthy colors along with metal, wood & pottery are beautiful & inspiring for me; so, we are on the same page ... except ...
?1 kitchen sink? I cannot imagine my kitchen without a 2nd sink while cooking alone ... let alone with my family. It's so much more efficient to have 2 sinks. Sink 1: filled with soapy water for soaking pots & utensils (less elbow-grease & time for clean-up). Sink 2: left clear for cleaning produce, washing hands, rinsing dishes to load the DISHWASHER!
?No dishw-----? I cannot even type that! ;-D I have 2 dishwashers (1 automatic 1 teenager)! My kitchen without them is just w-r-o-n-g! LOL!
view lifeabundant's profile
We recently downsized from a home we built 10 yrs ago (open floor plan) to a cozy, pre-owned older cape cod full of character ~ both beautiful homes ... totally different styles. I agree with cliokitty about the benefits of drawers. I may implement Cindy’s ideas as follows:
- kitchen de-clutter method: wish we had done it while unpacking!
- natural light: must replace faulty window treatments
- under sink garbage storage: we'll see if it works for me ~ I’ve always used a tall covered garbage can
- remove cabinet doors to show cookbooks
view lifeabundant's profile
I have those Fisher-Paykel dish drawers for a dishwasher and they're wonderful. Maybe she's designing for people who don't really cook.
view FantasticMrFaux's profile
I can totally understand the importance of task lighting!!!! In the past my kitchens were brightly lit from above- no task lighting. The new house features a light/fan & overhead above the sink. We put fluorescents in to save energy- but as usual, they seem dim at first (lighten up after a bit though). The BEST thing are these goofy track lighting things above the cabinets over the huge stove & peninsula!! We thought they were silly & unnecessary before we moved in. They are AMAZING! They don't light up the room, but they light up the work area beautifully!
view CozyLittleCave's profile
As an adult, I've spent an equal number of years with and without a dishwasher. While I don't hate washing dishes by hand, I did notice that I had far fewer gatherings at my house when I didn't have a dishwasher. I enjoy having people over and cooking for them, but the clean-up time was a deterrent.
Also, regarding water consumption and energy usage with dishwashers vs. hand-washing, many studies have been done to see which is more environmentally friendly. Dishwashers win, particularly if you're washing full loads.
We went through a kitchen remodel last year, and I was surprised to discover that my absolute favorite thing is the pull-out trash/recycling drawer. I had no idea I could find such joy in a trash drawer!
By the way - I think her de-clutter list is great!! I think even serious cooks probably don't need anything more than what's on that list.
view stylehound's profile
That Wusthof Knife holder is WAY overpriced. I bought a nearly identical one from Amazon for 11 dollars. Magnetic strips for holding your knives are definitely the way to go, but there is no need to spend that much for a fancy brand-name one. Check Amazon or Bed, Bath & Beyond first and you'll find a wide array of options for less than $20.
Oh and she's insane if she really thinks getting rid of the dishwasher is a good idea. No way, never, no thank you.
view alejandraramos's profile
yes
dishwashers save water
maybe not energy
so glad to finally have one
view chesterandtrudy's profile
Meh. I grew up with a dishwasher, but now that we don't have one, I'm totally fine doing the dishes by hand. I'd rather have the storage.
The thing is... If you're not going to have a dishwasher, you really should have more than a single bowl sink - We HAVE a single bowl, and its just not efficient for doing the dishes, which is why we're installing a huge double bowl in the coming month. You can lose one or the other, but not both!
view Cashew's profile
We're currently remodeling our small kitchen and after much thought decided to opt for a smaller 18" dishwasher (as opposed to a standard 24"). Because of this, we were able to include a full size trash and recycle bin in our lower drawers. Honestly, with just my husband and myself, we would run the dishwasher only every few days so hoping that willingness to just run the washer more often will work out well. (It is a much more efficient model than our old one, by the way.) Giving up the dishwasher entirely was not an option since I'm a bit uptight about the disinfecting properties of the dishwasher. The new dishwasher will be installed in about 3 weeks and we're excited to put it to the test!
Rebecca
http://blog.17thandRiggs.com
view rma's profile
I know someone who uses dishwashers for storage. When she remodeled, she included three dishwashers. Two are clean and one is dirty. When the dirty when gets filled, it turns into a clean one, and the emptiest clean one is emptied into the other clean one. When the load is finished, the odd things are put away, but plates, glasses, bowls, and silverware are kept in the dishwasher. The three dishwashers are all in a row next to each other.
view GrainSmasher's profile
I am dishwasher-less (going into my second year now) and still hate it. I believe that dishwashers may be more energy-efficient than hand-washing. But do any of the studies supporting that take into account the environmental impact of manufacturing, shipping, and warehousing dishwashers? I would be curious to know that.
Also, I so badly want a butcher block counter like in that first shot. Please, someone tell me what a dumb idea it is. Especially with two kids who cannot be counted on to care for it the way I would like.
And P.S. GrainSmasher: That is just weird.
view sally305's profile
No dishwasher? a 24" refrigerator? I'm sorry but I don't agree at all. I lived without both for a year. Loooongest year of my life! No one who likes to cook would like this. True especially in winter, when you need your fridge stocked so you don't have to go out in the cold to buy more and when the thought of putting your hands in water to do dishes makes you want to die.
view Chilli's profile