Today’s kitchen is more than just a place for meal preparation. It’s also a place for entertaining guests, doing homework, planning the week and catching up on email. The modern kitchen is the hub of the family home, and the command center for family life.
It’s no wonder that kitchen remodeling remains the most popular home renovation project, and provides some of the best return for the money when you eventually sell.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves! As a Columbus home buyer, your objective is to buy the best home for your needs, at the best possible price – and that includes a kitchen with good functionality.
If your home buying budget doesn’t allow for a dream kitchen, don’t worry! Any kitchen can be updated. Knowing what basics to look for will help you avoid taking on more than you can handle.
1. Layout: the position of the stove, fridge, and kitchen sink should have a “triangle” design – meaning that you could connect them by drawing an invisible triangle. It does not have to be an even-sided triangle. Why the geometry? Because these are the most active points of the kitchen. You should have an open path from the fridge to the stove, and from the stove to the sink, and so on.
2. Kitchen sinks are usually placed by a window for simple reason – so you don’t hit your head on an overhead cupboard when using it! Some homes have sinks facing an open wall instead of a window; this isn’t a problem, but it means you won’t have as much natural light to work with. Elbow room around the kitchen sink is important for ease of use.
3. Electrical outlets should be easy to access, and there should be enough of them to accommodate a reasonable number of counter-top appliances. Think about your microwave oven, coffee machine, stand mixer, toaster, blender, crock-pot, bread machine, and so on. While you’re not likely to need everything at once, think about your usual meal prep routines and daily appliance use.
4. Light: Ideally, a kitchen should have an east-facing window to welcome in morning sunshine. No matter where the windows are placed, having a good stream of natural light makes for an inviting kitchen.
5. Space and storage: While it’s relatively easy to make a kitchen look bigger, it isn’t easy, nor cheap, to materially expand the square footage of a kitchen. Eye tricks include removing solid cabinets and replacing them with shelves. This can “open up” the kitchen area but it won’t give you more counter space. Be realistic about how you intend to use your kitchen. If you’re an avid baker, you will have bigger requirements than someone who enjoys take-out for dinner.
Being happy with your new Columbus home begins with good planning around your lifestyle! As your Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we will help you find the ideal home for your needs – and we will help you save money when you make the offer!
Give yourself the benefit of our unparalleled service, information and guidance. Our FREE e-book contains a world of information that you can put to use right away!
Contact us for help with any of your home buying questions. We are with you every step of the way…all the way home!
Andrew Show
Broker, CEBA, CEBA-M, CNE, CSP, ABR-M, e-PRO, GREEN
Buyer’s Resource Realty Services
Serving Metro Columbus, Ohio with Exclusive Buyer’s Agents
7100 North High Street, Suite 204, Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-888-4110 | 888-888-4110 Toll Free | 614-839-4110 Fax
