11 Ideas That Will Help You Turn Your Space Into the Ultimate Chef's Kitchen
If you're thinking about remodeling your home, you're probably going to start with the kitchen, and if you like to cook, you might want to consider upgrading your space into a chef's kitchen. And you wouldn't be alone: As it turns out, this is the one room most homeowners choose to rework. According to a study on home improvement expenditures conducted by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, kitchen remodels outranked bath remodels, room additions, and common exterior additions such as decks and patios.
There are a number of reasons why it makes sense to upgrade this space. First and foremost, the kitchen is the most-used room in your home, so adapting it to better accommodate your needs makes your daily routine so much easier. Appliances also face more wear-and-tear from frequent use, presenting an opportunity to upgrade when it's time to make necessary replacements. Above all, the main argument for remodeling your kitchen is to increase the value of your home. The return on investment for this space falls between 59 to 81 percent depending on your market and the degree of your remodel. In general, you'll enjoy the highest ROI if you make changes that improve and enhance functionality.
Which brings us back to the chef's kitchen. This term gets thrown around a lot and while it's enticing to buyers, design lovers, and serious cooks, what exactly is a chef's kitchen? For us a chef's kitchen is a highly efficient workspace that's designed to satisfy the needs of a professional, whether or not the homeowner is one. Features like roomy countertops and a kitchen island with space for several chefs to work side by side, state of the art appliances—like a sub zero refrigerator—a smart layout that allows quick accessibility to tools, and an airy flow are just some of the many details that set a chef's kitchen apart from all the rest. To get you thinking of the possibilities for your space, here are some of the ways designers are incorporating elements of a traditional chef's kitchens into their projects.
Related: 20 Beautiful, Functional Kitchens to Inspire Your Own
Courtesy of KitchenAid
High-Powered Ovens
One of the most common appliance upgrades is an oven with all the bells and whistles you'd find in a chef's kitchen. Look for features like high-heat, simmer burners, and infrared broilers.
Expanded Sink Space
This design feature is appreciated when it comes to prep work, washing fruits and vegetables, and hand-washing delicate glassware.
Speed Oven
If you prefer in-wall units, a speed oven is an add-on that appeals to busy households. Smaller than a traditional oven, this appliance combines convection and microwave elements to cook virtually anything faster.
Designer Range Hoods
Hoods have become a must-have in the kitchen, but now you can say goodbye to noisy, bulky models and hello to something much more streamlined and efficient. What's more, the high-tech generation of hoods look as good as they perform. Today's iterations have sleek designs, impactful, yet silent suction systems, LED digital displays with touch controls, and grease filters.
Pot Fillers
Pasta night is so much easier when you don't have to bing your pot over to the sink to fill it up. That's why pot fillers, or faucets that can be built into your stove's backsplash are a must-have for a chef's kitchen.
A "Chef's Table"
Translate the experience of sitting at a chef's table to your home. A roomy island with a built-in range and seating for your family is a next-level addition to your kitchen.
Related: The Best Ideas for Revamping Every Room in Your Home, According to the Experts
Built-In Trash Chutes
Save the step of transferring scraps from the counter to the garbage with a built-in trash chute. It's even more convenient with a butcher block counter.
Glass-Front Refrigerators
See exactly what you have on-hand at a glance with a glass-front refrigerator.
Beverage Drawer
Expand your storage options for drinks with a refrigerated beverage drawer. Many options can be integrated into your kitchen island, where it would be easily accessible when entertaining.
Prep Sink
Another sought-after pro feature is the prep sink. As for its usual placement? In the corner of an island to maximize counter space.
Dual Ranges and Ovens
A high-end oven with a dual-range or dual-oven is another item on the most-wanted list for a chef's kitchen.
