Kitchens are where families connect; they are a place to cook, gather, and make memories together. As the home base, it’s essential for kitchens to be both functional and beautiful. So, what are the key features of a modern kitchen and functional kitchen? Keep reading for our design team’s expert ideas, smart tips, and favorite upgrades!

Thoughtful Layout
When creating a functional kitchen, you cannot out-design a bad layout. People’s traffic patterns define every space – none more so than kitchens. Ask yourself, how do we live in our kitchen? How often do we cook at home? What is our hosting style? Two other major ideas to consider are the work triangle and different zones.

Work Triangle
Also known as the ‘kitchen working triangle’ or ‘golden triangle,’ this design tenet refers to the three main kitchen work areas, the sink, fridge, and stove. The idea is that these three areas should form a triangle to ensure maximum efficiency and ease of use.
Designate Zones
Another way to set up your kitchen is to think in terms of zones or workstations. For example, you might designate different zones for storage, food preparation, cooking, baking, eating, serving, socializing, and other activities.

Organized Storage
The next requirement of a well-designed kitchen is organized storage. Cooking involves a variety of accessories, tools, small appliances, and ingredients, which means they all need a designated storage space. So, how do you plan a kitchen that stays organized from start to finish?

Cabinetry
Quality cabinets are the foundation of any functional kitchen – current cabinet design technology offers numerous storage and customization options.
Pantries
Whether it’s a cupboard or a separate walk-in pantry, you cannot beat the ease of having everything organized, within reach, and only steps away.
Appliance Garages
If you’re all about a clutter-free countertop, an appliance garage is ideal for hiding away small appliances, their tangled cords, and additional accessories.
Easy Access
From spice racks to knife racks, cooking tools to pull-out/pull-down shelves, dishware to produce drawers, having easy access to cooking supplies has never been easier!

Universal Design
Consider the most minor details; D-shaped drawer pulls require less dexterity and are accessible to people of all ages and body types.
Trash, Recycling, & Compost
Garbage is a reality of life; hidden trash pull-outs, recycling centers, and compost bins keep the mess out of sight and out of mind, not to mention out of smelling range.
Bakeware
If you’re an avid baker, then you know how quickly you can accumulate bakeware and tools. Custom storage for pans, accessories, ingredients, or your stand mixer can be a game-changer!
Pots & Pans
Few things are more notoriously hard to store than clunky pots and pans – drawers, corner pull-out cabinets, or hanging racks can drastically impact your usable space.

Quality Products & Materials
Kitchen remodels are a long-term investment. The products you choose must be durable, functional, and stylish — all while maintaining their value over time. At The Cabinet Store, we are proud to offer (mostly local) products made in the USA. You will find well-known, American-made brands such as Showplace Cabinetry, our core cabinet line, and Cambria Natural Quartz Surfaces®, our best-selling countertop line. So, what are the hallmarks of a quality product?

Low-Maintenance
As a high-traffic area, kitchens endure a great deal of wear and tear, which is why product quality matters. Lasting, low-maintenance materials will serve you well – think less upkeep and repairs.
Smart Technology
Whether you’re tech-obsessed or a late adopter, kitchens are a hub of home technology. Integrate smart technology into your plans early and seek your designer’s guidance.

Hosting Hub
Few things in life are constant: laundry, taxes, and guests ending up in the kitchen. No matter your hosting style, people always gravitate to the kitchen. Modern kitchen design is a blend of hospitality, functionality, and beauty. Which kitchen upgrades take hosting to the next level?

Prep Kitchens
Hosting and cooking are both labor-heavy tasks; however, that doesn’t mean you need to show your work! Hidden prep kitchens are ideal for entertaining without the stress or mess.
Butler’s Pantries
Like prep kitchens, butler’s pantries are a host’s secret weapon! A mix of serving space, dishware storage, and a wet bar, these pantries are often integrated into the main entertaining space.
Beverage Centers & Bars
It doesn’t matter if you prefer cocktails, coffee, or a crisp Diet Coke; beverage centers and bars are another excellent spot to gather and host with style.

Centerpiece Islands
Showstopping islands are the focal point of most modern kitchens. A centerpiece for design, storage, organization, food prep, casual meals, serving, and hosting, islands are flexible and multifunctional. How do you tailor a center island to your unique lifestyle?

Integrated Seating
Pull up a seat! From barstools to banquettes, we love incorporating different types of integrated seating into kitchen islands.

Home Chef Upgrades
Islands serve as a kitchen Swiss Army knife; they can include endless cooking tools, but are hidden until you need them. A few favorite upgrades are a prep area with a sink, cutting board, and trash access, spices and staple ingredients at your fingertips, cookbook and recipe storage, or a specialty cookware station.

Command Center
Family life is busy, and that chaos often finds its way into the kitchen. A command center is the perfect place to keep the clutter at bay! So, which organizational upgrades will keep your home humming along with everyday life?

Docking Station
Everyone has a phone, tablet, or other piece of technology that needs to be charged these days. A docking station is ideal for giving your electronics a place to charge and be put away that’s out of sight – plus, it hides cords!

Paperwork Storage
No one likes being up to their ears in paperwork, and yet it persists. From bills to calendars to schoolwork to medical documents, a filing system is an ideal way to sort out life’s never-ending scroll of paperwork. Keep everything organized and at the ready in the command center!

Kid-Friendly
If you have children, then you know that no one takes down snacks like toddlers, kiddos, and teens. Designing an intentional homework hub or snack station is one of the best ways to keep up with demand – here are our tips for putting them together!

Lunch/Snack Station
Designate a specific cupboard or drawer and stock it up with your kiddos’ favorite healthy snacks and lunch-making supplies. A small beverage fridge is also helpful for grabbing a cold drink on the way to school or soccer practice.

Homework Spot
Just like cookies and milk, snacks and homework go together. Whether you choose stools at the island, a built-in desk, or a cozy banquette, a comfy space to do homework and relax after school will serve you and your family well.

Display Space
Other than ingredients and cooking tools, kitchens store a lot of dishware. Do you like collecting mugs or vintage Pyrex? Or maybe you inherited your grandmother’s fine China? Besides needing a place to be stored safely and accessed easily, it’s fun to showcase collectibles! So, what are your options?

Heirlooms & Collections
From classic glass-paned cabinets to modern open shelves, there’s a display option available that will match your aesthetic. Don’t keep your treasures hidden away – show them off with pride!

Serving Ware
If you host the holidays, then you know big gatherings come with a lot of accessories. From gravy boats to cookie platters to punch bowls, give bulky serving ware a clean, permanent home.

Ready to Start?
Are you feeling inspired to renovate your own kitchen? Contact us or stop by our Apple Valley showroom today! Our team is here to bring your vision to life and create a modern and functional kitchen that stands the test of time.

Schedule A Visit to Our Cambria Showroom