Kitchen-Focused Homes
by Brad Sonnenburg
Recent studies prove what architects and designers have known for a while now: The kitchen is quickly becoming the most important room in influencing home buying decisions. In fact, people spend more time in their kitchens than in any other room in the house (15 percent of their total waking time, according to consumer preferences researcher, Merrilat Industries). It's no wonder we continue to explore emerging trends in kitchen design. Builders who offer kitchen-focused homes will have a definite advantage among tomorrow's new-home buyers.
Revisit Traditional Layouts
The evolution of kitchen trends has definitely influenced basic room plans and layouts, and home shows, expos and open houses have made consumers more than aware of the multitude of kitchen configurations from which they can choose. In fact, they expect flexibility like never before. Just a few years ago, builders could offer two simple kitchen layouts: a peninsula layout or an island layout. Buyers generally preferred one or the other, and few buyers demanded anything different. In truth, these two layouts are still highly functional and will appeal to a wide range of buyers. But to capitalize on the emerging group of kitchen-savvy consumers, you can craft even more flexibility into your plans.
Three other primary layouts, each rising and falling in popularity over the years, should be reconsidered as optional kitchen plans. The U-shaped kitchen is ideal for smaller square footage. Interior kitchen placement and the U-shaped design allows architects to wrap walls with cabinetry and appliances without having to work around windows or doors. Perhaps most appealing about the U-shape is its highly efficient work triangle-the three-way path between the refrigerator, range and sink. No other design provides such convenient workspace.
When buyers want to squeeze more cooks into the kitchen, consider re-introducing the galley-style layout. Still prevalent in multifamily homes, the galley kitchen functions similarly to theU-shaped kitchen,but dual access points enhance circulation and create enough roomformultiple cooks.The work triangle remains relatively efficient, and this layout is particularly effective when plans include a formal dining roomplaced at one end of the galley. Add the nook at the other and you have a cooking/dining corridor that adapts easily fromdaily use to special occasions.
In larger homes, or for buyers with gourmet tastes, the double L-shaped layout creates maximum counter space. It uses a peninsula design paired with an interior L placement to simulate the connectivity of a kitchen island plan while maintaining a distinctive space for the kitchen.When buyers expect professional grade appliances, dual ovens, built-in coffeemakers, refrigerated drawers and other high-end touches, the double-L provides the necessary space without it becoming an overbearing room. The peninsula element of the smaller L invites guests and family to partake in kitchen activities without being fully immersed in them-an element of separation that enhances the gourmet cooking show feel.
Islands in the Stream
Today's most popular kitchen layouts incorporate an island. Buyers are more and more interested in the functionality, design opportunity and personal expression that islands offer.A square cabinet stack topped with a single-level countertop with room for two stools might still work in some markets, but many buyers are ready for something much more.
According to azcentral.com's home interior section heralds the kitchen island as the "bridge of the great room," blending the energy of the kitchen with the casual comfort of the family room. Builders should work directly with architects and interior designers to plan for impressive, memorable islands that help build this great room bridge, allowing families to interact throughout meal preparation and cleanup, and providing the much-desired entertainment factor to the kitchen.
Even as home sizes shrink, islands have grown considerably.Oversized is the new average, and buyers are expecting to find a multifunctional, multilevel work and socialization station in their kitchen islands. Although islands are larger, room layouts are offering more circulation space, and even smaller kitchens can include gracious open space for moving around while cooking or cleaning. The island effectively removes much of the storage and counter area from the primary kitchen zone, which opens the space up to design creativity and enables consumers to "trick out" kitchen elements that were previously unalterable when islands were much smaller.
A recent phenomenon includes adding the sink to the island. Many buyers today will appreciate this functionality, but be sure to include a 42-inch counter to provide visual separation between the cleaning area and the dining/family room beyond. The island sink, with its stack of dirty dishes, should not 7distract guests who are relaxing on the sofa after dinner.However, adding the sink to the island allows views of the family room and television, which makes cleanup much more enjoyable.
Or consider adding the range top to the island insted. Especially for entertainment-focused buyers, an island range instantly transforms the space into a demonstration kitchen. Be bold and hang an angled mirror above the range in the model, and prospective buyers will instantly understand the entertainment potential of this island design. Homeowners like to feel connected with others through the act of cooking-not by doing dishes-and an island range is the ideal way to provide this connection.
Finally, since islands function more like furniture and less like built-ins, consider adding flexibility to a standard kitchen option by offering multiple island designs and colors. Use marketing materials or models to illustrate the optional cabinet styles, woods, counter materials, backsplashes or drawer/shelving configurations. If the primary countertop is granite, consider concrete on the island. If the primary cabinets are cherry, consider a whitewashed finish on the island cabinetry.
Experiment with various possibilities and buyers will appreciate the opportunity to showcase their individuality when choosing a kitchen layout. By offering this flexibility in the island, the rest of the kitchen remains unchanged, which facilitates ease of construction and creates a custom feel without a custom headache.
Builders who continue to explore flexibility in home design will be best suited to capture more than their fair share when the market turns around. Since the kitchen is clearly a defining element in home buying decisions, spend time enhancing options and considering new, innovative uses of the kitchen space. Buyers will take notice.
Brad Sonnenburg, Associate AIA, is a Partner in the Phoenix office of BSB Design. He is active in the industry's top professional associations and has over 20 years of residential design experience. His extensive background in project management, construction documents and 0eld coordination help him efficiently manage and schedule projects of diverse product type for clients throughout the Southwest.
Headquartered in Des Moines, IA, BSB Design operates 15 offices coast to coast, including Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas.
