Mar 10, 2015

11 kitchen design dilemmas and solutions

Problem: The windows in my kitchen get in the way of adding upper cabinetry

Don’t be afraid to build across the kitchen windows. Install open floating shelves that span the wall, placing glass items in front of the pane so the eye travels through them.

Problem: I have a large family but can only fit a small table in my kitchen

Install an L-shaped banquette with a couple of chairs around a circular table – not only does this create more seating, but you can use drawers underneath for additional storage.

Problem: My kitchen bores me but I don’t have the budget for a big renovation

Make brass your new best friend! This on-trend metal can take your kitchen from bland to glam with just a few hundred dollars. Switch up old hardware with brushed brass beauties and opt for a show-stopping brass faucet.

Problem: My white kitchen appliances stick out like a sore thumb next to my wooden cabinetry

If you don’t have the cash for new appliances or cabinetry, spend a few hundred dollars on good quality paint for your cabinet doors. Complement those white appliances with a pale grey or sage, or go for a monochrome look with a matching white.

Problem: I love cooking, but I want my kitchen to be a hub for the whole family, not just me

Bring the family into your sacred space by sectioning off areas for them to do their own thing. Create a nook in the kitchen with reading materials and a laptop, install a sound system for music and bring in a bench or settee for lounging.

Problem: My feet get cold on the kitchen tiles, especially in the winter

Keep your tootsies warm in the cooler months by laying down small area rugs in high traffic areas with no-slide pads underneath. It’s also the perfect way to add a little colour and pattern to an all-white kitchen.

Problem: I would love a pantry, but no condos include them these days

Build your own pantry! Purchase a wire basket shelving unit and organize to your heart’s content, separating spices, canned goods and baking essentials. Alternatively, install a deep pullout drawer in your lower cabinetry that you can insert shelves into.

Problem: The kitchen and dining area are open concept, but I want defined areas

If you’re on a budget, create separate living spaces by papering the wall where the dining space begins. If you have a little more cash to play with, install reclaimed wood beams along the ceiling and down the walls to architecturally border the two spaces.

Problem: I’m tired of subway tile as a backsplash – I want something more unique

A backsplash is the best way to have fun with an otherwise stock-standard kitchen. Add some colour and pattern with Moroccan painted tiles or a touch of Old World France with vintage mirrored glass.

Problem: I like a bright, fresh look in the kitchen, but it feels a little too white with the cabinets and countertops

Keep your all-white kitchen feeling fresh by injecting a clean colour – think mint or pale blue – on the walls and with small electrics like the toaster and stand mixer.

Problem: Baking trays spill out every time I open the cupboard door

You can keep those pesky uneven baking trays in the cupboard, but prevent them from toppling out by housing them upright in a basket or vintage magazine rack.

Up next: 99 problems for bedrooms

Click "next slideshow" for our solutions to bedroom design problems.

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Problem: The windows in my kitchen get in the way of adding upper cabinetry

Problem: I have a large family but can only fit a small table in my kitchen

Problem: My kitchen bores me but I don’t have the budget for a big renovation

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11 kitchen design dilemmas and solutions