How to Design a Gourmet Kitchen

How to Design a Gourmet Kitchen
The kitchen is very important in a luxury home and no expense should be spared when designing a gourmet kitchen.The kitchen is the one room that needs to function really well. After all, good food is one of the most basic needs of the family. The kitchen is the place where you rustle up those delicious meals and keep your family and friends entertained. Thus, the kitchen has to be clean, clutter free and convenient.

If you've ever spent some time in a kitchen you know it is essential to have plenty of space and all of the right amenities. A good meal takes time to prepare, not to mention more cooking utensils and space. There is also a good chance that at some point you will do some entertaining around the kitchen. With all of this time spent in the kitchen it is worth the effort to make the kitchen a good fit for your lifestyle. Make sure there is plenty of room, and most importantly it is a comfortable place to work in.

Given below is a list of must haves for the ultra gourmet kitchen:

• The Food Prep Zone: Gourmet kitchens need to have knife drawers with special tools to keep the knives straight and sharp, cutting boards that come out and disappear into the cabinets when required and counters with lower height. Marble countertops help to retard the growth of bacteria.

• Cooking Zone: Many homeowners now prefer separate ovens instead of freestanding ranges, a selection of tall cabinets, base cabinets and ones with special pull out systems.

• Baking Zone: Cooks who are serious about baking like counters with less height, making them easier to knead bread on. Nowadays, you can also get pull out box cabinets, special tiered cabinets, cake decorating kits and various other items.

• Specific Storage Zone: Instead of having a pantry that stores everything in one spot, gourmet kitchens have work-specific storage areas. For example, there can be a 'breakfast center' where you can store cereals, syrups, bagels, mixes, and so on. Similarly, you can have lunch and dinner centers where you can store equipment appropriately.

• Dining Zone: Gourmet kitchens often have built-in cabinets that double as buffets, used to separate the kitchen from the dining space. With proper lighting and aesthetics, you can make this area look very luxurious.

• Wet Bar Service Zone: This area can be used as a transition area between the food preparation and serving zones. Wine racks can be built in and combined with under-the-counter wine coolers and beverage centers.

• Meal Planning Zone: You can have built in bookshelves or cabinets that can be a perfect corner for planning your meals, searching for new recipes, mulling over cookbooks and similar activities. You should have all the modern appliances required for cooking – starting from microwaves to ovens to dishwashers and similar. Having all of your appliances in Stainless Steel, or built into the cabinets gives your kitchen a clean, streamlined look.

For the best in gourmet kitchens it is a good idea to hire a professional to help you design the most functional space possible. Some interior decorators specialize in kitchen design, or there are kitchen specialists to assist you with the kitchen setup. Another good resource are home shows and designer showrooms. There you will find all of the latest ideas for making the kitchen space as good as it can be. You can also take a look at what products the top companies are coming out with to enhance your gourmet kitchen.

Pam Ingram has resided in the Santa Clarita Valley real estate market for over 30 years. Her local knowledge, experience, and contacts are invaluable in finding your dream home or a buyer for your current property. Looking for a Santa Clarita realtor? Call Pam for the scoop on the local neighborhoods and other useful information.