Kitchen Ideas "Outside the Box"

A few months ago I introduced some Bathroom Ideas "Outside the Box." Since then I have come across some creative ideas for kitchen design as well.

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Furniture Cabinetry

Let's face it, the kitchen is the most popular room in the house. It has not only opened up to the main "living" spaces, it has become a main living space. As such, why not design it to seamlessly flow with the rest of the house? Using furniture pieces, like a dresser or armoire, for kitchen storage is a unique, chic, and inexpensive way to update and personalize your kitchen.

Above, an old dresser has been transformed into an affordable kitchen island. I picture the storage inside looking something like this:

Imagine using a beautiful armoire, like this one pictured below, by Oly, to store dishes, mixing bowls, serverware, etc...With this perspective, Susan Serra demonstrated in her blog how an armoire could fit seamlessly into the overall kitchen scheme. (As a side note, I love Susan's blog - if you are looking for great insight, education, design, reading all things kitchen design... this one's for you!)
Check out the little piece nestled up in the corner on top of the counter. Do you think this may have served as a side table in a past-life?Resource: Cottage Living, Design by Tim Street-Porter

Okay, one last photo on this subject... armoire turned mini-bar!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass Doors

Glass doors on cabinetry is a popular look. In kitchens it's nice to have at least a few to display dishes, crystal and serverware while also adding a light and airy feel. Windows are also hugely desirable in the kitchen, but what if you have a less than desirable view?

Resource: Kitchen and Bath Design Ideas, Designed by Nancy Bernstein, Photo by Janet Mesic Mackie
The cabinet doors above are backless and placed right in front of a window, masking the view of the neighbors house while still allowing natural light to flow through. Genius! And beautiful. Below, you might understand this better in plan.

Shown below are some two sided glass cabinets. This beautifully functional idea allows access to dinner ware from the the butlers pantry and the dining room while also serving as a lovely, back-lit display for the dining room.
Designed by Amy Sandack
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Window Shelves

I LOVE window shelves. Open shelving is a great way to display neatly arranged dishes, throw in some accents like pottery or framed art, and cut down on the weight of a room full of cabinetry. But have you ever thought about hanging shelves in front of your window?

Design by Bosworth Hoedemaker

So light and airy! And located right next to the sink makes putting clean dishes away super easy! Have a lot of plates?...

Resource: Southern Living, Stylist: Rose Nguyen

How about this dish display storage unit?

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Glass Backsplash

A nice smooth surface like glass or resin is probably the easiest thing to wipe down and can still be interesting if backed with a pattern.

Resource: Kitchen and Bath Design Ideas, Design by Barbara Enburg, Photo by Ed Gohlich
Okay, this isn't glass, it's 3Form resin that's been embedded with real twigs and dried leaves, super cool, BUT... that's expensive. This article suggested using wallpaper and covering it with clear glass to get a similar yet more affordable look. I think this is a fabulous idea; there are SO many possibilities!

What out of the box ideas are you using in your home? Or dream of for your future kitchen? Let me know, I want to hear!

If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen (or bathroom) and live in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, or anywhere close by, give us a call! 919-933-7855 We would love to bring your dreams to life! - The Kitchen and Bath People

A Custom Kitchen : Cabinet Storage

A combination of technology, creativity and demand has led to the evolution of some exceptionally innovative products for your kitchen. I want to write a short series on where these developments have taken us, starting with kitchen cabinet storage. Like most things, while aesthetic appeal is nice, it really is the inside that counts; and I think that regarding kitchen storage, organization and accessibility are the key elements that make cabinetry truly functional and pleasing. Companies like Rev-A-Shelf and Hafele carry some clever accessories to organize, tuck away, and keep everything in it's place.

These wonderful spice trays, by Rev-A-Shelf, effortlessly stack your seasonings, keeping them fully visible and accessible. Because the material is trim-able, this tray can be fitted precisely to any drawer.

A bread drawer kit (this one also by Rev-A-Shelf) will help keep bread tasting fresh.

If you need to make the most of your vertical space, check out these two-tier trays (another Rev-A-Shelf item). You might store utensils used less often in the bottom, while the top tier glides on wheels, allowing all items stored to remain at least partially visible and easy to get out. This is also trim-able for an exact fit.

This simple peg system (Rev-A-Shelf) allows items stacked high within drawers to stay in place, avoiding sliding and breaking.

Aren't those deep, dark corners of your lower cabinets the worst? The lazy susan is a common remedy for that problem, but I just love Hafele's LeMan's system. It's pivot and shape pulls everything out allowing full accessibility.

I will almost always recommend drawers over doors for your base cabinets. But in some cases, like under a sink, doors might make more sense. This doesn't mean you have to sacrifice storage. With this handy pull out by Hafele, cleaning products stay organized, visible and within reach.

These pantry pull-outs, by Hafele, are so practical. Just think of all the snacks that go to waste because they were shoved to the back of the pantry only to be recovered after expiration. Or how about that same hot-sauce you've bought 3 times because you thought you were out :). This system will not let food or storage go to waste.

This is only the tip of the ice-berg for kitchen organization, and there are similar products for bathroom, laundry, and garage management. Just imagine the possibilities! If you are interested in remodeling a room in your home, check us out at thekitchenandbathpeople.com for more information.

Planning for Your Future with Universal Design : in the Kitchen

Last week I wrote about easy ways to incorporate universal design in your bathrooms. This week I want to expand on the subject and feature ways to make your kitchens more universally friendly. Kitchens have become the hub of our households, a place where members of all generations in the family convene. As such, kitchens should offer a friendly environment to all users. I want to re-emphasize the value added when taking a universal design approach in your remodeling project. Designing for the aging does not have to look geriatric, in fact the best universal design is one that goes unnoticed.

This side-opening oven by Fagor is so cool! (Pictured above are two, side-opening ovens, demonstrating the option for either door swing.) The design was a Merit Award winner in Interior Design Magazine's 2008 Best of the Year Awards. Its ability to install at any height, and the side swing door, keeps users from having to bend over a hot oven, reducing the risk of being burned. When paired with a pull out surface, like this one pictured on the left, moving your heavy casserole dish from the oven to a cooling surface is much easier.

Also, in regards to cooking appliances, consider an induction cooktop in a universal design, for their safety features. Click here to read about the benefits of induction cooking.


Pull down kitchen cabinet shelves are a convenient way to take full advantage of your upper cabinet storage. An accessible handle at the bottom allows you to easily bring those upper shelves down to your level, preventing anyone from having to stand on a chair (or the counter!) to get out the crock-pot, rarely used serving bowls...or whatever else might be storing up there. When the cabinet doors are closed, no one will know there's such a contraption hidden inside. Of course, I would not recommend displaying these behind glass doors.

Anything stored in typical base cabinets is usually going to be difficult to get out. Unless you're about 3' tall, a lot of crouching, bending, and digging is involved when attempting to access items from the depths of those spaces. Drawers are the best solution for the storage below your counters. All things kept inside are easy to find and retrieve. This drawer shown above even utilizes a sort of peg-board and dowel combination to keep things in their places, rather than letting them slide around every time you open the drawer.

Here's one more way to universalize the kitchen; think about integrating a table height surface (28-34" high) with clear space underneath that is at least 18" deep x 24" wide. This creates a useful multi-purpose surface. Not only can it become a place for snacks and homework, it can also function as a countertop where those bound to a wheelchair, or anyone who has trouble standing for an extended period of time, can sit and still help prepare meals.

You can also incorporate this idea under the sink. With a cute curtain draped underneath, you can create a European look and no one will ever recognize the sink to be ADA accessible. Also, notice the lever handle on the faucet (something I brought up when discussing universal bathroom design) and the bar pulls on the drawer. Levers and bars are easier for arthritic hands to grasp, as opposed to a knob shape.

Please feel free to comment on your successes with universal design!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


Photo Credits: Photos 1 & 3 - fagoramerica.com; Photo 6: sachsenkuechen-usa.com; Photo 7: AccessibilityPro.com

Planning for Your Future with Universal Design : in the Bathroom

According the the AARP, most Americans prefer living in a familiar place, their home, throughout their later years in life. Certified Aging in Place specialists can help homeowners fold universal design into their home, providing a space that is comfortable and safe and allows elderly to maintain their independence. Universal design is the "green of the future" as it will preserve its value for years to come, adding convenience for all users at any age. Below are some ways to subtly and beautifully incorporate universal design in your bathrooms.

It's a good idea to consider installing a sink in the bathroom that will allow wheelchair access. This wall-mounted sink by Decolav is handicap accessible as well as fashionable and functional with ample counter space and an integral sink basin, making clean-up a breeze.

Here's a more transitional and "homey" look. This custom design uses TOTO's Ryohan sink and looks like a piece of furniture. The open space below conveniently allows for wheelchair access.

Another detail to think about is your faucet's design. The lever handles on these Delta faucets are universally easy to use, for children as well as older individuals with arthritic hands.

It's also smart to consider lever handles for doors, instead of door knobs, throughout your home. This lovely lever handle is manufactured by Rocky Mountain Hardware.

While you may not need grab bars now, if you are remodeling a bathroom, go ahead and have your contractor install blocking needed for the bars to make that addition easier down the road. Now, thank goodness, manufacturers are putting more thought into the design of grab bars, like this one shown above, from Moen.

Check in next week for ideas to "universalize" your kitchen!

If you are interested in a kitchen or bathroom remodel or addition, please visit our website at thekitchenandbathpeople.com


Photo Credit : Photo #2 - Photography by John Ferrarone for Frank Webb Bath Center