Empty Nest: Brand New Kitchen

The kids are grown and gone. Day-to-day priorities and routines have changed. The way you use and enjoy your home has changed. As you contemplate a remodel project, think about making your kitchen compatible with new realities.

You probably don’t want the “same” kitchen with just new cabinets and updated appliances. This is an opportunity to re-imagine the space so it more accurately reflects and supports your emerging life style.

Gear up for the master chef(s).
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches have given way to canapés and experimenting with world cuisines. Maybe you are finally going to take those pastry classes you’ve been dreaming about.

Think about adding an island that has ample food prep space and a built-in cook top with grill or rotisserie. A mix of countertop materials such as butcher block and marble can make it easy to move from chopping vegetables to rolling out dough.

Take a page from professional chefs who recommend such time and effort savers as pot racks, hooks, adequate power outlets and open shelves for frequently used bowls.

Create a friend-friendly environment.
What’s your idea of entertaining? Formal dinners? Cocktails and snacks? Potluck suppers with the neighbors? Design your space accordingly.

Some amenities to consider include wine storage, built-in coffee maker, Island seating or a comfy couch with small side tables (Feel free to think beyond “traditional” kitchen furnishings.) If you are feeling a bit more ambitious, explore the idea of knocking down a wall so a dining area can be incorporated into the kitchen complex.

Build in areas for work and play.
Think about ways your kitchen can support non-cooking interests and needs from office-related tasks to hobbies and leisure activities.

You don’t need a lot of space to create an office corner with built-in desk and work surface. Add outlets for a laptop and task lights, as well as a charging station for small mobile devices.

Seating units with storage underneath provide a place to knit or read and store materials. It’s also a handy place to keep the running shoes for a morning jog. If you can’t miss a moment of the “big game,” take a look at the new multimedia ventilation hoods with LCD screen for TV and DVD viewing.

Anyone can whip up a winning recipe for an “empty nest“ kitchen that’s all theirs. It starts with envisioning yourself in the space, happily engaged in whatever activities interest you most.