Essential Kitchen Furniture Pieces for a Functional and Stylish Space
The modern era continues to introduce significant transformations to various areas of our homes, including our kitchens. This space has shifted from being a simple room for cooking and preparing meals to a central hub of the house, where guests and family members can gather and socialize. This change also introduced several exciting furniture pieces that are both stylish and functional, making them the perfect fit for modern kitchens. In this guide, we will be exploring some of these new furniture pieces and sharing the top items you may want to grab if you are currently creating or refurbishing an old kitchen.
Open Kitchen Shelves
While traditional kitchens generally have all their items tucked away behind cabinets and drawers, modern cooking areas embrace visibility. Today, it is common to find open shelving units that display an array of kitchen utensils and materials. From glass jars and bowls to recipe books and wine glasses, you can easily find a place for your item on this shelf. This openness also helps create a sense of warmth and personalization by turning your everyday kitchen utensils into part of the decor.
Beyond adding a touch of beauty to your space, open shelving units are also great for accessibility. Instead of having to tediously open and close each shelf or drawer whenever you need an item, you can always quickly grab what you want from a shelf without much hassle. While this may seem small, you will immediately notice a difference, especially during long cooking sessions.
The Bar Stool
The bar stool has become one of the most symbolic kitchen furniture pieces of the modern era, and your cooking area can’t be complete without this item. While most traditional kitchens did not feature any seating or only had a small dining table, most modern cooking areas have a large kitchen island. This island creates a dining area away from the dining that allows you to have a quick snack, do homework, and have daily conversations without going through the stress of setting out the table.
However, since most islands are designed at standing height, you can’t comfortably use a regular chair with them. Instead, this means you can only get the most out of your island by pairing it with a set of bar stools. These stools allow you to sit comfortably along your island during breakfast or snacking sessions. Depending on your needs, you can also find bar stools with cushions and padded armrests, allowing you to sit on your island for extended periods without strain.
Kitchen Mats
The longer we spend standing by our kitchen sink or counter, the more strain we feel on our feet and backs. Kitchen mats help reduce this tension by providing a soft cushion to absorb our movement, making it easier to walk around our cooking areas without battling aches and pains. This improved comfort should also help reduce the amount of breaks and interruptions that we take while preparing a dish, resulting in a more seamless cooking process.
Kitchen mats are also great at absorbing stains and spills from ingredients, which ensures that your floors always remain clean regardless of the meal you are preparing. So, by using a mat while cooking, you can be more confident that your kitchen will always look spick and span. Just be sure that you regularly clean your kitchen mats to prevent germs and bacteria from building up.