Do you need a Kitchen Desk?
The mobile, digital age has transformed the way we do business, and that's beginning to transform home design. The home office, which used to exist only in larger or more affluent homes, is now a priority for many households, especially those in which someone works from home.
Add that to the need for places to store and charge gadgets and homework demands placed on even the youngest students - home office spaces are in high demand. So, what does a family do if there isn't an extra bedroom or designated office space?
How about the kitchen?
A Home Office or Kitchen Desk is a Smart Solution. More and more homeowners are finding the kitchen makes the perfect spot for a desk space, message center or mini-home office. In the meantime, here are advantages and disadvantages to consider.
Advantages of a kitchen desk space:
Charging station - Tired of everyone's phones, games, tablets, wires etc., hogging the kitchen bar or countertops? Talk about clutter! Your desk space can come equipped with drawers - which can come equipped with electrical strips tucked into the back - so everyone has a protected space to store gadgets while they charge.
Kitchen office centers protect gadgets from the steam, grease, spills and splatter they are prone to when hanging out on countertops.
Homework station - Typically, homework time overlaps with the time when busy parents are putting groceries away and prepping dinner. Having your child working on homework at the kitchen office allows you to continue with business as usual while keeping you accessible when they need your help. We might also add, it helps to keep kids on task - they're less likely to switch over to a computer game or distract themselves on Instagram if they know you can see them...
Keep things organized. It seems like at least a section of countertop and a drawer or two always end up being the collectors of "stuff" - bills, papers, permission slip, art work from school, aforementioned gadgets, etc. Your kitchen desk space can be custom-designed the same way kitchen cabinets and drawers are, so pertinent items remain organized and out of sight.
Work in between. While we believe in a healthy work/life balance, we know that checking that last work email or running into the home office to make a "quick" correction can lead to 30-minutes later and a burnt pot on the stove. Your kitchen desk allows you to get dinner on while finishing up those last-minute details.
Disadvantages to the kitchen office idea:
It may be a tight fit - If you have a smaller kitchen, this might not be the right solution. Kitchen desk spaces work best for those with larger kitchens, or with kitchen layouts that accommodate a desk space at the outer-ends of the kitchen - a large L or U-shaped kitchen, for example.
Spots and splatter - We mentioned that one of the advantages is that it can protect gadgets and gizmos. Of course, that's only the case if the space is far enough away from stove, sink and snack areas. If you don't design your kitchen the right way, you and your children may both have to use, "the pasta ate our homework..." line at work or school.
Extra clutter - If the desk isn't design just right, or you juggle a lot of paperwork, your kitchen office might end up contributing to visible clutter that would have been hidden out of sight if you had an established home office with a closing door.
If you're a modernist, you know "modern" is almost synonymous with "minimal." That can be a conundrum when you're designing a kitchen. Minimal or not, there's a pretty standard list of must-have kitchen features:
• Cabinets or shelves
• Countertops
• Appliances
• Pots/pans
• Dishes
• Spices
• Cooking utensils
• Coffee and/or tea
So, the modern kitchen design is one of the most clever kitchen designs. It requires the ability to make it look like there is nothing, where there is most certainly something!
Ideas For Minimizing Features in a Modern Kitchen Design
So, how do we go about creating a minimal kitchen space? The trick is to use streamlined versions of standard kitchen items, eliminating all the unnecessary ones.
Customized Storage
When it comes to cabinets, we use innovative storage options, maximizing every square-inch of space. When that is accomplished, homeowners can reduce cabinet square footage by as much as 25% or 50%, while still being able to house everything they own.
Streamlined Cabinets
Sleek and glossy is the name of the game in most modern homes. This typically includes high-gloss wood veneers and an absence of cabinet pulls or knobs. Push –operated cabinet openers/closers are available, as are cup-pull handles or linear handles which preserve minimalist integrity.
Thin Countertop Slabs
You'll be on the lookout for thin countertop slabs, which make Quartz or stainless steel a good choice. Wood countertops are also trending in modern kitchens for those desiring more warmth or texture.
Low-cal islands
Kitchen islands are extremely useful, but they become "one more thing" in a space, right? Therefore, modern kitchens have options to minimize the island's footprint. Ideas include:
• A portable island. Think Swede-esque designs set on lockable casters. It's there when you need it, gone when you don't.
• A Pedestal island. By supporting the island with a pedestal, rather than a cabinet base, you gain under-island airspace and a clear sight line through the kitchen, which reduces the island's visual impact.
• Half-island/half-table. If you have the space, your modern island can be half-island with cabinets with a slab-only extension for tabletop seating and socializing.
• Dark on Light. While white finishes and metallic furnishings are popular modern design choices, we've found that a darker kitchen island seems to "fade" more than a lighter one. Light on dark. Another popular option is to use a dark island base and a white or very light countertop surface. The base fades away and the island countertop has a "floating" appearance.
Low-profile Furniture
If your kitchen includes a dine-in area, or if you have an open floor plan, you'll be on the lookout for low-profile furniture. Ideas range from acrylic tables and chairs, where transparency offers a "barely there" finish, tables with minimalist pedestal designs, low-backed stools, slab benches, mid-century shell chairs in bright colors (or light, or metallic) - all are options that provide necessary kitchen features without taking up too much space.
Baskets and boxes
HomeGoods, Cost Plus World Market, Stacks and Stacks - each of these stores offers decorative or industrial-functional boxes, racks and storage options that allow you to store things without requiring an entire cabinet box or shelving system. They look like sparse, decorative accents, but can hide your lesser-used kitchen tools and serving ware.
Are you ready to minimize your kitchen space? Come hang out with us here at www.wilsoncutlery.com or let us come to you. We offer great Ceramic Knives, Kitchen Cutlery, and are happy to provide tips and recommendations for your modern kitchen needs.
Add that to the need for places to store and charge gadgets and homework demands placed on even the youngest students - home office spaces are in high demand. So, what does a family do if there isn't an extra bedroom or designated office space?
How about the kitchen?
A Home Office or Kitchen Desk is a Smart Solution. More and more homeowners are finding the kitchen makes the perfect spot for a desk space, message center or mini-home office. In the meantime, here are advantages and disadvantages to consider.
Advantages of a kitchen desk space:
Charging station - Tired of everyone's phones, games, tablets, wires etc., hogging the kitchen bar or countertops? Talk about clutter! Your desk space can come equipped with drawers - which can come equipped with electrical strips tucked into the back - so everyone has a protected space to store gadgets while they charge.
Kitchen office centers protect gadgets from the steam, grease, spills and splatter they are prone to when hanging out on countertops.
Homework station - Typically, homework time overlaps with the time when busy parents are putting groceries away and prepping dinner. Having your child working on homework at the kitchen office allows you to continue with business as usual while keeping you accessible when they need your help. We might also add, it helps to keep kids on task - they're less likely to switch over to a computer game or distract themselves on Instagram if they know you can see them...
Keep things organized. It seems like at least a section of countertop and a drawer or two always end up being the collectors of "stuff" - bills, papers, permission slip, art work from school, aforementioned gadgets, etc. Your kitchen desk space can be custom-designed the same way kitchen cabinets and drawers are, so pertinent items remain organized and out of sight.
Work in between. While we believe in a healthy work/life balance, we know that checking that last work email or running into the home office to make a "quick" correction can lead to 30-minutes later and a burnt pot on the stove. Your kitchen desk allows you to get dinner on while finishing up those last-minute details.
Disadvantages to the kitchen office idea:
It may be a tight fit - If you have a smaller kitchen, this might not be the right solution. Kitchen desk spaces work best for those with larger kitchens, or with kitchen layouts that accommodate a desk space at the outer-ends of the kitchen - a large L or U-shaped kitchen, for example.
Spots and splatter - We mentioned that one of the advantages is that it can protect gadgets and gizmos. Of course, that's only the case if the space is far enough away from stove, sink and snack areas. If you don't design your kitchen the right way, you and your children may both have to use, "the pasta ate our homework..." line at work or school.
Extra clutter - If the desk isn't design just right, or you juggle a lot of paperwork, your kitchen office might end up contributing to visible clutter that would have been hidden out of sight if you had an established home office with a closing door.
If you're a modernist, you know "modern" is almost synonymous with "minimal." That can be a conundrum when you're designing a kitchen. Minimal or not, there's a pretty standard list of must-have kitchen features:
• Cabinets or shelves
• Countertops
• Appliances
• Pots/pans
• Dishes
• Spices
• Cooking utensils
• Coffee and/or tea
So, the modern kitchen design is one of the most clever kitchen designs. It requires the ability to make it look like there is nothing, where there is most certainly something!
Ideas For Minimizing Features in a Modern Kitchen Design
So, how do we go about creating a minimal kitchen space? The trick is to use streamlined versions of standard kitchen items, eliminating all the unnecessary ones.
Customized Storage
When it comes to cabinets, we use innovative storage options, maximizing every square-inch of space. When that is accomplished, homeowners can reduce cabinet square footage by as much as 25% or 50%, while still being able to house everything they own.
Streamlined Cabinets
Sleek and glossy is the name of the game in most modern homes. This typically includes high-gloss wood veneers and an absence of cabinet pulls or knobs. Push –operated cabinet openers/closers are available, as are cup-pull handles or linear handles which preserve minimalist integrity.
Thin Countertop Slabs
You'll be on the lookout for thin countertop slabs, which make Quartz or stainless steel a good choice. Wood countertops are also trending in modern kitchens for those desiring more warmth or texture.
Low-cal islands
Kitchen islands are extremely useful, but they become "one more thing" in a space, right? Therefore, modern kitchens have options to minimize the island's footprint. Ideas include:
• A portable island. Think Swede-esque designs set on lockable casters. It's there when you need it, gone when you don't.
• A Pedestal island. By supporting the island with a pedestal, rather than a cabinet base, you gain under-island airspace and a clear sight line through the kitchen, which reduces the island's visual impact.
• Half-island/half-table. If you have the space, your modern island can be half-island with cabinets with a slab-only extension for tabletop seating and socializing.
• Dark on Light. While white finishes and metallic furnishings are popular modern design choices, we've found that a darker kitchen island seems to "fade" more than a lighter one. Light on dark. Another popular option is to use a dark island base and a white or very light countertop surface. The base fades away and the island countertop has a "floating" appearance.
Low-profile Furniture
If your kitchen includes a dine-in area, or if you have an open floor plan, you'll be on the lookout for low-profile furniture. Ideas range from acrylic tables and chairs, where transparency offers a "barely there" finish, tables with minimalist pedestal designs, low-backed stools, slab benches, mid-century shell chairs in bright colors (or light, or metallic) - all are options that provide necessary kitchen features without taking up too much space.
Baskets and boxes
HomeGoods, Cost Plus World Market, Stacks and Stacks - each of these stores offers decorative or industrial-functional boxes, racks and storage options that allow you to store things without requiring an entire cabinet box or shelving system. They look like sparse, decorative accents, but can hide your lesser-used kitchen tools and serving ware.
Are you ready to minimize your kitchen space? Come hang out with us here at www.wilsoncutlery.com or let us come to you. We offer great Ceramic Knives, Kitchen Cutlery, and are happy to provide tips and recommendations for your modern kitchen needs.
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