3 New Kitchen Ideas to Improve Function

We’re spending a lot more time in our homes these days, which means we are noticing all the ways in which our spaces might not live up to our functional needs. As the most-used space in the home, one of the best places to start is by catching up on the new kitchen ideas that help make it more functional.

Remodels are often thought of as just updates to style, but when it comes to renovations, we at Lambert Brothers Construction know that function is the foundation of any renovation.

A well-thought-out kitchen remodel adds more performance and use to your kitchen and should help you make the most of the space for dining, entertaining, and family needs.

Here are some of the most popular new kitchen ideas to improve the function of the space:

Smart Kitchen Technology

If you love gadgets, or only have the budget for small improvements, this is the perfect place to start. One of the nice things about this new kitchen idea is that you can go as big or small as you want. There are an array of smart appliances in on the market — and new innovations are appearing all the time.

• Want to start brewing your morning coffee while you lie in bed? Alexa can connect to your high-tech coffeemaker and get things going for you.
• Need to fill a pot with water for pasta? Ask your voice-controlled faucet to dispense the exact amount of water you need.
• At the grocery store and can’t remember if you need milk and butter? Your smart fridge can check for you.
• Not sure about the cook time for your dinner? Scan the bar code and your oven can automatically configure the cook settings for you.

The best part is that no matter what kind of smart kitchen technology you choose to go with, it all has one goal: saving you time and effort while looking sleek.

Multi-purpose islands.

Islands aren’t a new kitchen idea, but the way we use them has changed.

Gone are the days when an island was simply a way to add extra food prep and counter space. Now, islands can fill a variety of needs — and in most homes, they get used for multiple purposes every day.

This shift means that large islands are growing in popularity, to accommodate a variety of needs and activities.

• Storage
  • If your kitchen is lacking storage (or your weakness is buying all the latest new cooking gadgets), an island outfitted with ample drawers and cupboard space can be the ideal solution.
• Dining
  • While it used to be common for people to grab a quick meal or snack at the island, more and more families are using their island as a regular dining space. This means making room for more seating. While we are finding people are moving away from the two-tiered islands, they are instead going with overhanging tops to create space for eating while maintaining plenty of space for prepping.
• Work
  • Since the global pandemic started, kitchen islands have become a common space for all members of the family to do work. Mom or dad might be on a laptop catching up on emails, or the kids might be spread out doing their schoolwork. Having extra outlets and USB ports on your island makes it better equipped to double as a workspace.
• Entertaining
  • Islands can be a stunning focal point of the kitchen, and a natural place for friends to gather when they visit your home. Adding stylish light pendants or other fixtures above your island can help to set it apart.

Outdoor kitchens

This new kitchen idea is one that used to seem unrealistic for our cold climate. Not many people wanted to invest in a space that can only be used for a few months of the year.

But Canadians are all about making the most of summer, so we’ve gradually come around to the idea. Now, we’re downright excited about the possibilities — as we should be. Our extra-long summer days deserve to be enjoyed.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to outdoor kitchens, but there are a few basic elements that should be remembered when designing the space.

• Location
  • Most people prefer their outdoor kitchens to be close to the house — usually right outside the back door on a concrete, stone or brick surface. They can also be built on an existing deck attached to the house.
• Protection from the elements
  • There are a variety of ways to keep heat, rain and wind from ruining an outdoor meal. It can be as simple as a large umbrella or as elaborate as a solarium that opens into the yard. For something in between, gazebos and pergolas are both great options.
• Appliances and accessories
  • To make your outdoor kitchen even more functional, it should be equipped to handle all the prep work, cooking and clean-up. Along with a barbecue, you’ll want to consider having a sink, fridge, counter space and storage. If you’re not satisfied with a single cooking method, you can also add things like smokers, rotisseries and pizza ovens.
• Furniture
  • It wouldn’t be a kitchen without a comfortable place to sit and enjoy your meal. While a simple patio set will do the trick, you can also opt for a more traditional dining table or even an outdoor living room with couches. Add a patio heater or a fire pit and you can extend your outdoor dining season into the spring and fall. Being able to use the space for 7 or 8 months of the year makes the expense much more worth the investment.

Find the right new kitchen trend for you

Feeling inspired? At Lambert Brothers Construction, kitchen renovations are one of our specialties. If you have an idea for a project that will make you excited about your kitchen again, with the help of our design team, we’d love to help you bring it to life.