As your Columbus, Ohio general contractor, we know what it takes to have a “chef’s kitchen”. We believe a chef’s kitchen would be equipped with professional appliances, sturdy and easy-to-clean surfaces, and storage for specialty items. One thing we know when doing a kitchen remodel, is that the layout should focus on zones for preparing food, cooking meals, cleaning up and serving. We also know that when choosing appliances, the focus is on performance.
Before you begin your kitchen renovation, seriously examine how you use your current kitchen and set goals for your remodel. This way, you can stay on track as you make important decisions about floor plan, appliances, cabinetry and more, NJW is here to help you with these tough decisions.
Some questions to think about in regard to your chef’s kitchen:
- What kind of dishes do you prepare?
- What special cookware do you own and use often?
- What appliances need to be accessible every day?
- What groceries do you always keep on hand?
- Do you need space to store wine?
- Do you prefer to prep food and clean dishes in the same or different spaces?
- How many people cook at one time?
- Do you also entertain in the kitchen or do guests sit/mingle somewhere else in the home?
- Do you focus on baking, and if so, what special appliances do you require? (we understand chefs and bakers need different features in a kitchen.)
Some of the features we have found help make your kitchen a chef’s kitchen:
Professional-grade range. Gourmet cooks generally prefer gas ranges, though induction cooktops, which heat up faster and deliver heat directly from the source to the pan have become increasingly popular as well.
Double oven. Two is better than one for the gourmet. And one of those ovens should be convection, meaning it has a fan that circulates hot air so food cooks uniformly and efficiently.
Warming drawer. This heating element will protect the moisture of food and allow the cook to keep food warm until serving.
Dishwasher drawer. Gourmets might consider a point-of-use dishwasher placed near a bar sink or entertaining area to manage dirty glassware, while reserving the main dishwasher for pots, pans and dishes.
Convection microwave. Paired with a traditional oven, this microwave can double as your basic reheating unit and an efficient convection oven.
Microwave drawer. An alternative to shelf-mounted microwaves or freestanding units that take up counter space, a microwave drawer is concealed neatly among base cabinets.
Refrigerator. Today, stand-alone units are available in counter-depth configurations so they appear sleek and built-in. French-door style refrigerators are attractive and allow a cook to access what’s inside from the left or right while requiring less clearance. Freezer drawers are convenient and ergonomic.
Easy-clean, sturdy surfaces. Quartz surfaces are man-made, do not require sealing, are less porous than natural stones like granite, and therefore have better stain-resistance and durability.
Task lighting. Under-cabinet lighting and pendants that focus light on specific work spaces illuminates kitchen zones where prepping, cooking and cleanup take place.
These are just some of the ideas you might want to incorporate into your kitchen remodeling project. NJW would love to work with you to turn your kitchen remodeling dream into a reality.
We currently build in Westerville, Worthington, Whitehall, Upper Arlington, Powell, Pickerington, New Albany, Lancaster, Hilliard, Gahanna, Dublin, Bexley, Columbus and all of Central Ohio. Contact us today!