How to Design a Chef-Worthy Kitchen That's as Hardworking as It Is Stylish
If you love experimenting with new recipes and have knife skills that could land you a spot on a cooking competition, you need a kitchen to match.
Any home chef will want things like a high-temperature gas range, multiple ovens, and a second dishwasher, but a highly functional kitchen doesn’t stop at the appliances. Some crucial elements, like a deep sink and the right storage, take a kitchen from amateur to semi-pro. The experts at BLANCO have made this their sweet spot, taking inspiration from commercial kitchens to craft sinks and faucets designed to complement anyone’s culinary skills.
Here’s how to incorporate the innovative BLANCO UNIT—an all-in-one water hub solution that combines your sink, faucet, and under-sink organization—and transform the culinary center of your home into a solid workspace that doubles as an enviable hangout for your dinner guests.
Design around the water hub
Over 60 percent of your time spent in the kitchen is at your sink, according to BLANCO research. It’s central to food prep, clean up, and everything in between. Make your water zone the centerpiece of your kitchen with the BLANCO UNIT, a fully-customizable system that incorporates your sink, faucet, and cabinet organization to streamline kitchen operations and save time while you work.
BLANCO offers dozens of sink styles so you can design the UNIT to fit your aesthetic. In addition to classic stainless steel and ceramic fireclay collections, BLANCO's Silgranit sinks offer unmatched durability and come in nine nature-inspired colors. Pair your sink with BLANCO’s professionally-inspired RIVANA faucet—with features like a powerful pressure sprayer, flexible spring coil, and magnetic docking arm—in an on-trend matte black or satin gold finish.
Make your sink work smarter, not harder
Yes, sink accessories are a thing, and trust us when we say they’ll bring you so much joy. BLANCO’s ergonomic accessories open a new level of functionality to your kitchen. ​​
Elevated grids make it possible to easily dry dishes or fill a pot of water without bending over. Cutting boards fit snugly over the top of the sink, allowing you to wipe excess into the sink bowl, where you can also fit stainless steel colanders and mesh baskets to save counter space and easily rinse fruits and vegetables. These simple, yet super convenient, solutions optimize workflow so you can focus on the recipe at hand.
Choose the right materials
As a frequent cook, you need countertops that stand up to all of your hard work. While a natural stone like marble may look nice, it’s incredibly soft and porous—and prone to damage from acidic foods like lemon and tomato. It’s also quick to stain from things like red wine. Instead opt for engineered stone like quartz—especially in areas where you’ll be doing your chopping and prepping—for maximum durability, as well as antibacterial and anti-staining properties.
You’ll want to put the same thought into your sink material. BLANCO gives you three options: stainless steel, ceramic, and Silgranit (a durable granite composite material). Silgranit is made of 80 percent quartz sand, the hardest element of natural granite, meaning that hot pans, sharp knives, and heavy pots won’t make a mark. It’s also finished with BLANCO’s patented Hygienic+Plus surface protection formula to reduce bacteria growth by an average of 98 percent, according to the company’s research.
Invest in lighting
Anyone who has ever spent time in a space that lacks natural sunlight or ample overhead lighting knows how drab it can make a room feel. But in the kitchen, appropriate lighting is also key for safety and functionality—you need to see what you’re doing.
Think about the three layers of light in your kitchen: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient is your main source of light; it’s ideal if this comes naturally through large windows, but recessed ceiling lighting also does the trick. Task lighting in the form of pendants or under-cabinet lights illuminates specific workstations, like your water hub or cooktop, while accent lights enhance the overall look and add personality. Read More...
