kitchen

Before fast-paced living and jam-packed schedules, traditional kitchens of the early 1900s were small, tucked-away spaces used only for cooking. Over the years, kitchens have become larger and have moved towards the centre of the house. Today, it's smart to up the efficiency and marry practical, functional spaces with great taste and turn the kitchen into the hub of the home.

Layout: Efficiency is key

With most kitchens being separated from the living or dining room with a wall, we lose a lot of space. Aside from the efficiency that knocking walls down can provide, a kitchen renovation is also money well spent. Studies consistently document that with kitchen upgrades, homeowners enjoy significant return on their investment compared to other popular reno projects—more than 40% in some cases. Reconfiguring the kitchen or opening it up to the living areas of the home (or including a lounging or breakfast banquette) can give family and friends a meeting place to spend time together eating, socializing and relaxing, and is a great solution for smaller homes. This makes an ideal space for entertaining too, making parties less stressful by having everything in arm's reach—and even with casual entertaining, pitching in to help chop the vegetables, cork the wine and prepare the meal.

And for super efficiency in a larger kitchen, the European trend of adding a washer and dryer to the kitchen is becoming increasingly popular. Incorporating adjacent pantries or sunrooms during a renovation can add so much multifunctionality to an otherwise one-purpose room.

Island Life: Front and Center

With bills to be paid, homework to be completed, and snacks to be eaten, an island serves as the central station—and that's all in addition to providing ample counter space for those culinary needs like meal prep. With functional elements like nooks, drawers and cabinets, a kitchen island serves double-duty as a desk. Add barstools for optimal seating and try islands with different heights. If plumbing and electrical permits, install a sink or your dishwasher. Choosing one of the many durable countertops, that range from natural stone to laminate, is also a sure way to keep your cherished dining table pristine. If your kitchen is too small for an island, try creating a peninsula with the same functional elements instead.

Fashion and function: Bring both worlds together

Lighting plays a big role in the kitchen's appearance and its efficiency. Consider the functions of the space and create a fashionable, functional mix: overall pot lighting, decorative pendants over a peninsula or island, under-cabinet illumination for cooking and of course, a statement-maker over the eating area. Dimmers also provide a warm ambience when it's time to relax or entertain, and can differentiate various zones of the kitchen when a range of activities are happening simultaneously.

Choosing the right flooring is also key to creating a smart, high-style kitchen: Wood, for example, flowing from the kitchen throughout the rest of the home, gives the illusion of a larger space. Decorative and inset tiles or patterns can also be used to create focal points in the kitchen, emphasizing its ranking as the heart of the home. And with an abundance of materials to choose from—from engineered wood and laminate to bamboo and cork—you can easily add colour and texture to make a personal statement.

Beautiful stone delivers a sense of solidity to a kitchen, a presence emphasized by today's trend to stone hearths which surround impressive gas stove tops and vintage-inspired gas ovens. The look echoes historical manors but also adds coziness to the space.

With a little creativity, any kitchen can be transformed into a common ground where today's busy family can do a lot more than just cook. With a combination of smart functionality and style, the kitchen is the hub and the heart of today's home, a destination well worth spending time in.