Welcome to Your Kitchen

When most people think about remodeling their kitchen, one of the most important things after function is that the kitchen be welcoming, that is to say, comfortable to you, your family, and visitors.

Once your kitchen plans have passed the function test, it's time to consider how to make it welcoming. If the kitchen opens to other living areas, can the cook interact with others while preparing food or cleaning after? If the flow of the rooms allow, it's wonderful to be able to interact with everyone while you're getting things ready.

Another way to make your kitchen welcoming is to have a place for people to sit. If your kitchen has room for an island, consider putting chairs on the side that you don't use to prepare food. If the kitchen is too small, you may be able to have chairs that can be turned to face the kitchen.

Of course, the colors and decorations you use have a great impact on how welcoming your kitchen is. Stainless steel may make a kitchen feel efficient, but it's not terribly welcoming. Warmer colors are good, and many people appreciate something of a country style... although other styles can be quite welcoming as well. Just keep your kitchen informal.

Finally, make sure the style of the kitchen goes well with any connected rooms. Coordinate the colors used and make sure the furniture goes well together.