Traditional kitchens are often the heart of a home; they are where the family gathers for meals, where the kids do their homework round the table, and where friends chat over coffee. Because so much time is spent there, it is especially important to choose and to use kitchen furniture and energy saving appliances wisely. Fortunately, renewable resources such as wood for cabinets and chairs are right at home in traditional kitchens.
Using natural light is a good start in creating an energy conscious kitchen. Not only does it reduce the need for supplemental light during the day, but it can add a feeling of spaciousness to a room. Energy saving light bulbs and fixtures can be used to direct light just where it is needed at the sink, stove or other workstations. Small, efficient grow lights can turn a windowsill into an herb garden.
Well designed traditional kitchens have pantry storage systems that are ultimately practical. How many times have you searched in vain for a missing ingredient, only to discover too late that it was hidden behind something else all along? Incidents like that can sap the fun out of whipping up your favourite dessert. A good storage system will keep that from happening and help you to find what you want, when you need it.
Running an environmentally sound kitchen means taking proper care of equipment and utensils. Knife blocks fit right in with traditional decor and are the safest way to store culinary knives. Most pots and pans should be kept in cabinets which protect them from dust but yet allow enough circulation of air that they do not rust. Utensils that are both stylishly designed and used frequently can be kept in countertop receptacles or hung from hooks.
Properly maintained food preparation surfaces keep traditional kitchens from turning into ecological disaster zones. Sinks need to be deep enough and have faucets with adequate pressure to thoroughly wash and rinse large items. Vegetables should not be chopped on surfaces used for preparing meats, and cutting boards need to be sanitized after each use. Food wastes that are to be composted need to be kept separate so that they do not contaminate other food.
Countertops are the mainstay of traditional kitchens. They can be made of many different materials but they need to be durable, nonporous, and easy to clean. Plastic laminate, tile, artificial stone, natural stone and even concrete are all good materials for a counter. Most countertops are available in many colours. The countertop is usually one of the first things you notice in a kitchen, and is the part that is used the most.
Cooking in a traditional style kitchen is fun because every element is planned to meet your needs. But beyond the basic cooking needs, traditional kitchens meet entertainment and hospitality needs too. Visually, the traditional style is compatible with the rest of the house, so design features in other rooms may be picked up and reflected in the kitchen. Ideally, the design of the kitchen ought to make the cook happy. But in the case of the traditional style, its popularity shows that it makes others happy as well. - 30289
Using natural light is a good start in creating an energy conscious kitchen. Not only does it reduce the need for supplemental light during the day, but it can add a feeling of spaciousness to a room. Energy saving light bulbs and fixtures can be used to direct light just where it is needed at the sink, stove or other workstations. Small, efficient grow lights can turn a windowsill into an herb garden.
Well designed traditional kitchens have pantry storage systems that are ultimately practical. How many times have you searched in vain for a missing ingredient, only to discover too late that it was hidden behind something else all along? Incidents like that can sap the fun out of whipping up your favourite dessert. A good storage system will keep that from happening and help you to find what you want, when you need it.
Running an environmentally sound kitchen means taking proper care of equipment and utensils. Knife blocks fit right in with traditional decor and are the safest way to store culinary knives. Most pots and pans should be kept in cabinets which protect them from dust but yet allow enough circulation of air that they do not rust. Utensils that are both stylishly designed and used frequently can be kept in countertop receptacles or hung from hooks.
Properly maintained food preparation surfaces keep traditional kitchens from turning into ecological disaster zones. Sinks need to be deep enough and have faucets with adequate pressure to thoroughly wash and rinse large items. Vegetables should not be chopped on surfaces used for preparing meats, and cutting boards need to be sanitized after each use. Food wastes that are to be composted need to be kept separate so that they do not contaminate other food.
Countertops are the mainstay of traditional kitchens. They can be made of many different materials but they need to be durable, nonporous, and easy to clean. Plastic laminate, tile, artificial stone, natural stone and even concrete are all good materials for a counter. Most countertops are available in many colours. The countertop is usually one of the first things you notice in a kitchen, and is the part that is used the most.
Cooking in a traditional style kitchen is fun because every element is planned to meet your needs. But beyond the basic cooking needs, traditional kitchens meet entertainment and hospitality needs too. Visually, the traditional style is compatible with the rest of the house, so design features in other rooms may be picked up and reflected in the kitchen. Ideally, the design of the kitchen ought to make the cook happy. But in the case of the traditional style, its popularity shows that it makes others happy as well. - 30289
About the Author:
Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home improvement. If you want more information regarding traditional kitchens or are looking for a trusted kitchen company please visit http://www.wrenkitchens.com
