By some recent estimates, 68 percent of global employees work from home at least once per month. Even with many people hoping to return to the workplace by the end of 2021, it is clear that the way we work and live has permanently changed.
Naturally, with an increasing number of people ditching the office for a work-from-home lifestyle, many have reconsidered how, specifically, to design the places they live. In addition to people investing heavily in their home office, other parts of the home, including the kitchen, have also been a central focus.
The kitchen design process is one that has rapidly evolved over time. Today, customized kitchen designs offer homeowners more options and flexibility than ever before. Whether the design is simple or a complete refurbishment, there are likely many practical, beautiful, and functional design solutions that are well within reach.
In this article, we will discuss some useful kitchen design tips for individuals who—whether by circumstance or by choice—are suddenly working from home. Though you may not know what the future has in store, it is clear that the kitchen will remain the heart of the home. If you are considering modifying your home in any way this year, the kitchen is likely the best place to get started.
Identify your Personal Needs
Ultimately, the best kitchen design for your home will depend on your specific needs. People use their kitchens in very different ways. While some people will want a cooking-oriented living space that has the bells and whistles of a modern restaurant, others will prefer a more modest space that can be used for other purposes.
When determining your personal needs, it is crucial to think about every element of your life. When you are working, do you need access to basic utilities such as a printer, a private workspace, and a designated “creative zone”? If so, can any of these features be easily (and naturally) incorporated into your kitchen? Additionally, be honest with yourself and determine how and how often your kitchen will be in use. Knowing what you need will be the first step to a successful customization.
Find a Professional Kitchen Design Team
Hiring a luxury kitchen design specialist can help you turn your ambitious vision into a tangible reality. These individuals are highly familiar with kitchen design trends, styles, and building needs, and will help walk you through the entire process.
Depending on where you live, there are likely many kitchen design specialists within reach. They’ll ask you questions about your ideal project, including your budget, your personal preferences, what you intend to use the kitchen for, and how you plan to blend your kitchen with your new work-from-home lifestyle. Take a time to look at each prospective designer’s gallery (typically found on their website) and make note of the styles and features that are most appealing to you. Not only will this help you identify the design teams that are most compatible with your tastes, but it will also help you find some authentic inspiration. In the event that you need to design more than just a kitchen, you might also want to consider collaborating with a residential architect.
Create Flexible Spaces
Ever since the middle of the twentieth century (characterized by the “Mid-Century Modern” movement), both kitchen designers and architects have sought ways to make our living spaces more open, more flexible, and more authentically dynamic. With the rise of the work from home revolution, the need for open and flexible spaces has increased even further.
If you are working from home, particularly working from home in your kitchen, you might want to find ways to create spaces that can “flex” over the course of the day. Sliding doors, collapsible curtains, foldable walls, and click here other flexible features can help you maximize your limited kitchen space and adapt the room over the course of the day. With the right features and design plan, you can effectively turn your kitchen into what is ostensibly three different rooms.
Incorporate Smart Technology
The smart tech sector has enjoyed a considerable amount of growth this past decade and, today, more than half of all American homes have at least one smart home system in place. With more people working from home, coordinating the various systems throughout your home has become even more important.
Currently, there are many home automation systems that can be incorporated to make your kitchen “smarter”, including smart lighting, environmental controls, sound systems, and more. Adding a smart refrigerator, for example, can help you run your home more efficiently and bring it into the modern era. The kitchen is one of the most common rooms for a central panel to be located (also, the foyer). Working with a contemporary kitchen design studio will help make it easier to coordinate a given space with the rest of your current living space.
Design a Space that is “Zoom Friendly”
Zoom claims the platform accounts for more than 300 million meetings every workday, and this is just one of many platforms being used by people working from home (Microsoft Teams and Google Hangout each account for more than 100 million). Anyone who uses these platforms on a regular basis knows just how important it is to create the perfect setting.
Fortunately, there are quite a few basic design features you can put into your kitchen to make it a bit more “Zoom friendly.” Adding a neutral backdrop (or even a greenscreen) can help you conduct your meetings in a more professional way. Incorporating special acoustic features, such as sound-resistant felt panels, can help you eliminate outside noises and further improve the quality of your meetings. Whether you are having these meetings in your kitchen or anywhere else in your home, adding these basic features can help cultivate the perfect working from home environment.
Conclusion
The kitchen has long been considered the heart of the home, but to many, the kitchen now functions as an essential workspace as well. The work from home revolution has altered the way kitchens around the world are being designed, possibly for good. You can find exquisite kitchen design in Denver, CO and anywhere else you might reside. By keeping these basic tips in mind and working with a qualified studio, you can help create a live-work zone that effectively meets your needs.
