If you’re thinking about upgrading the kitchen – or if you’ve even started planning your next kitchen remodel – this time of year is extremely important. During the holiday season, we put our kitchens to the test. We cook the biggest meals. We bake the most goodies. We host the most parties. We wash the most dishes. Observing what does – and doesn’t – work well in your current kitchen can help you make sure your new kitchen is perfect for your family.
Want a checklist of kitchen features and functionality to observe during the holidays? Sure you do. How does your current kitchen perform the following common holiday season tasks:
Baking Cookies – Do you have enough storage for ingredients, mixing bowls, mixer, baking sheets? Is there space for one or more cookie makers to roll dough, cut out cookies, bake them, cool them, and then decorate cookies? Does the oven works well, delivering well cooked cookies?
Making Holiday Meals – Does the work flow in the kitchen make sense when one or more people are preparing a big meal? Is there space for everyone to participate? Are task areas easy to clean and well lighted? Do you have enough refrigerated storage? Do you have a good solution for keeping food warm? Where will you keep the serving dishes used for these special events?
Hosting Parties – Are you proud of the way your kitchen looks? What are the features you hope your judgiest guest won’t notice? Would you like more space for entertaining in the kitchen? Are you content with the areas you currently use to serve platters of food and beverages? Do you have enough seating? Is there enough capacity in the kitchen to prepare the quantity and types of food you would like to serve?
Of course the holidays are a busy time. But if you can steal a few moments to observe what is and isn’t working in your kitchen during the holiday season, and record your thoughts on the matter, this is valuable information you can use to influence your kitchen design.