This article was written on behalf of Gina LaBarbera, an experienced Jacksonville FL REALTOR ®. If you're thinking about buying a home in the Sunshine State, consider searching Gina's website, SunshineStateSales.com for Jacksonville Fl real estate.
The kitchen has become an increasingly important area in our homes. In fact, this one little room has a lot going on. It typically provides a gathering place where family and friends share meals and company, as well as a place to prepare those dishes. Designers are constantly striving to provide more efficient ways to use this area as well as tempting us with new styles and accessories such as granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.
Innovations are being made not only with the accessories, but in the kitchen layouts as well. Remember the old triangle design, where a geometric connection was made between the refrigerator, the stove and the sink? Apparently now we need multiple triangles to connect all the various tasks.
Here is an example of how a simple kitchen island can be transformed into a multi-tasking machine. On one side, add a refrigerated drawer facing the cook top for quick meal preparation. Another side faces two dishwashers and counter area for clean-up. Another area has a large preparation area right across from the main refrigerator and next to a second smaller sink. An alternative to the refrigerated drawer is a small under-the-counter fridge to hold juices, other beverages, and quick snacks. It's also located across from the cappuccino maker built into the cabinetry.
Also included are optional theme zones that reflect the individual needs of the home owner. Ideas may include a baking preparation area with a double oven and extra counter space. Wine aficionados will appreciate a built in wine center with a wine refrigerator, wine rack and storage for glassware. Techies will love the electronics zone where they can charge their cell phones, digital cameras and store their laptop.
The idea of a butler's pantry is making a comeback in modern kitchens. It requires a designated area where you can drop off dishes between courses, do some quick cooking with a single burner or microwave, store dishes and glassware, have a water source for quick clean-ups, and maybe even a dishwasher.
Islands often have raised eating areas eliminating the need for a kitchen table, now you can utilize that extra floor space by adding a small couch or an over sized chair for relaxing after dinner. Occasionally these areas are being turned into additional entertainment areas to occupy guests while their host is preparing dinner, and may include a stereo or TV as well.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
- Modern Options for Kitchen Design
- Why Hire a Quality Kitchen Contractor for Home Remodeling?
- Going Green with Home Remodeling
- Including the Outdoors in Home Remodeling
- Dream Home Remodeling Offers Free Consultation
- Easy Home Remodel Ideas
- Home Remodeling and Home Improvement
- Things to Consider When Planning for Home Remodeling




Interior Design – Make Your Hotel Room Feel Inviting With The Right Hotel Furniture
By: Tod Martin | 27/12/2009Who is going to be staying at the hotel? Are they mostly families, corporate people, newlyweds? Check with the hotel staff and see who regularly visits. Be sure to have hotel furniture that corresponds with visitor needs.
Some Useful and Utilizable Guidelines about Six Pack Abs Diet
By: Owen Linnen | 26/12/2009A majority of persons make an effort to junk food by having in one meal everyday or try little fresh miracle meal that promises six pack abs with fast and easy. To get six pack abs, you will need to receive the right meal. This piece of writing will discuss with you some general rules for a six pack abs fair diet, which you have to go behind if you desire to see your abs with more than a few description
Innovative Kitchen Decor Ideas
By: Kenneth D. Tafolla | 26/12/2009If you are an interesting and unique individual with a lot of flair, then you will likely desire to extend those characteristics to your kitchen décor. This becomes increasingly important if you like to expand the time spent gathering with the family, to include time sharing good food and memories with friends. Transforming your kitchen into a fun and entertaining place can be a fun and enjoyable activity, with your imagination providing the most unique and interesting kitchen décor ideas.
LivingStone Solid Surface countertops
By: countertop | 25/12/2009US Surface Warehouse LivingStone 100% acrylic solid surface countertops provide surprising value with their lower price line of the best-selling, most popular colors of other leading brands, Dupont Corian, LG Hi-Macs, Samsung Staron.
Why You Should Consider Travertine Tiles for Your Home
By: Mark Ferrer | 24/12/2009In any home, the kitchen and bathrooms are probably the two areas that can greatly increase value. Many home sellers find that redecorating and renovating these two areas offer the best return of investment. But even if you are not thinking about selling your home, you can think about redoing these rooms for better appeal. And what else can you add to improve them? The answer you can find with travertine tiles.
Granite countertops tips and ideas
By: Aemuthu Kumar | 24/12/2009Granite counter tops are arguably the best countertops for both elegance and durability. The natural beauty of granite countertops is simply unbeatable and it is the preferred choice by many homeowners, builders and architects. Granite counter tops are tough and quite indestructible.
Retro Kitchenware And Dishes Modernize Your Kitchen
By: Jeff A Hardy | 24/12/2009Kitchen is one of the most important places of home, specially for woman where she creates her own world of cooking. In earlier times, kitchen used to be the place for cooking, with few appliances to serve.
Design a Healthy Kitchen
By: Danielle Wayne | 24/12/2009As the popular saying goes “health is wealth”. It is very important that we do everything possible to remain healthy. So why not start at the basics as we are what we eat and so we should eat healthy. But what is the point if your kitchen is depressing and dark and is not airy and full of light? A warm, airy and open space ensures that you and your cooking skills don’t suffer.
Signs of Problems When Buying a House
By: Gina Labarbera | 26/02/2008 | Real EstateWhen buying a home, some people put more importance on the color of the walls than the condition of the roof. Paint color is an easy thing to change, but replacing a roof is a costly undertaking. Always hire a trained home inspector before you finally purchase a home, but use these tips as a guideline to help you weed out some of the potentially serious problems during the first walk-through.
Get in the Zone With Your Kitchen
By: Gina Labarbera | 26/02/2008 | KitchensThe kitchen has become an increasingly important area in our homes. In fact, this one little room has a lot going on. It typically provides a gathering place where family and friends share meals and company, as well as a place to prepare those dishes.
Getting a Mortgage: Dos and Don'ts
By: Gina Labarbera | 22/01/2008 | MortgageSo you've established a great credit rating and are ready to visit a lending institution to see about getting pre-qualified for a mortgage. Here's a few tips for what to do or not do.
Getting a Mortgage: Establishing Credit
By: Gina Labarbera | 22/01/2008 | MortgageOne of the keys to getting a mortgage is having good credit, and the easiest way to establish good credit is to acquire a credit card or small loan, and then pay it back on schedule. With a credit card, it isn't enough to simply have it.
Spending or Saving your Home Equity - Part 2
By: Gina Labarbera | 12/12/2007 | Real EstateIn Part 1 ways to accumulate home equity were discussed, both incidental and deliberate; and in Part 2 how to access it is investigated.
Saving or Spending your Homeowners Equity - Part 1
By: Gina Labarbera | 12/12/2007 | Real EstateNeed to raise some cash? Whether you have had your home for a long time, or a short time, you may still have usable equity invested in it. One reason is because equity can accrue without any effort on your part.
A Clutter-free Christmassy Condo
By: Gina Labarbera | 30/11/2007 | HolidaysIt is a dilemma whether or not to decorate your condo for Christmas. You know that it will make the condo feel more crowded, but it is irresistible to add a few 'bits'.
The Beauty of Bamboo
By: Gina Labarbera | 30/11/2007 | RemodelingBamboo floors, clothing, furniture, even towels! If you haven't heard the bamboo buzz by now, you have to wonder where you've been. This fast growing grass (one of fastest growing plants on the planet, in fact) is being touted as the miracle material for its renew ability; its ability to resist mold, bugs and water; and its natural anti fungal and antibacterial properties.