Many traditional kitchen arrangements assume that the chef will be preparing food alone while guests gather in another room. However, the current trend is turning kitchens into social spaces, allowing for conversation and an informal dining setting. By making your kitchen the center point around your oven or cook top, you can entertain your friends while showing off your culinary skills.

Building Around the Oven

The easiest way to give your oven or cook top grill more prominence is to put it in the center of the kitchen space as part of a kitchen island. Once you have the cooking apparatus in place, you can decide what you need around it. You will want easy access to all of your cooking tools. For any chef, it is important to have a quality knife set nearby. Knives are an essential tool for food preparation as well as consumption. Other essential tools that you’ll need to keep within easy reach is tongs, a spatula, whisk, kitchen shears, and a meat thermometer. Of course, that means you’ll need a place to put all of these items. There are many options for convenient storage. Some kitchen islands feature built-in cabinets. You can use magnetic surfaces for knife and utensil storage.

Proper Ventilation

Ventilation is an important consideration when you move your stove. Part of the reason that stoves are often located near a wall is it makes it easier to vent fumes outside. If you do not vent your central stove or cook top, you will have problems with lingering odors and smoke. Many homeowners solve this problem by installing a ventilation hood above the cooking space. The hood and its ductwork will be a major project, so it is important to factor the expense into your remodeling budget.

The Right Counterspace

As the chef, you must decide how much counter space you need and for what purpose. Some islands are all about food preparation. The counters are designed to be used for cutting, mixing, and the other culinary tasks that happen away from the stove. You may also want some extra space for plating your creations. Other islands are designed to be inviting social spaces. Here, some of the counter space is devoted to serving food. The designer will locate an empty counter with seating across from the cooking area. You will amaze your friends when they see you put your cooking skills to use.

Reconfiguring your kitchen with a centrally-located stove or cook top will change the nature of food preparation in your home. Where cooking once took the host away from guests, the kitchen will now be the center of the action. With a thoughtful plan, your kitchen island will be a beautiful and useful addition to your home.

Hyman Interiors can help you make your design dreams a reality. Whether you’re looking to style or remodel your new home, come see what we have to offer!