In the last few months, we’ve had the pleasure of finishing several unique kitchen projects, each in a different style and full of custom features. As designers, we love seeing the individuality of each project showcased, both in its interior style and in the functionality prioritized by the client (and executed by the designer). We love seeing new color pairings, an efficient corner cabinet solution, creative layouts, and fun features that give a kitchen a truly custom feel.
If you’re planning a kitchen design and want inspiration for what to include on your wish list, we asked some of our Gravel Lane Design team to share their current kitchen feature obsession. Read on to see what they had to say!
Carly’s Favorite Kitchen Feature: Toe Kick Storage
Carly is the lead designer at our Peoria showroom, known for her unexpected creative solutions. She never shies away from an ambitious design. Aesthetically speaking, Carly said she is currently loving “natural countertops with unique colors/veining as well as Tudor-inspired aesthetics.” Her favorite functional feature, however, is toe-kick storage. If you’ve never seen or heard of this, you’re not alone! Essentially, toe-kick storage uses the space beneath most cabinets to store flat items, such as sheet pans, cutting boards and serving trays.
Carly designed a stunning kitchen that featured this: you can tap the drawer with your foot, and the push latch opens it to reveal hidden storage.
Natalie’s Favorite Kitchen Feature: Tall Pocket Cabinets
Natalie serves our Eureka showroom and does a lot of design work in the Bloomington-Normal and surrounding areas. She has experience working in various design styles and excels at achieving her client’s vision. Natalie said the feature she loves including in custom kitchen designs is “tall upper cabinets with pocket doors to hide small appliances while still having them be accessible to use.”
These tower cabinets often extend all the way down to the countertop, with the option to pocket the doors so they can be left open without disrupting the walkway. This is a great option for storing a coffee maker or toaster, for example, that would normally sit on the countertop. With this solution, you can hide these items away when not in use, creating a less cluttered kitchen. Make sure to include an outlet within the cabinet if you plan to plug in small appliances.
Kelsie’s Favorite Kitchen Feature: Walk-In Pantry
Kelsie has been with Gravel Lane Design from the very beginning! Her clients love the friendliness and warmth that she brings to the design experience. Kelsie said, “My current kitchen feature obsession is a walk-in pantry with closed storage.”
We have seen more and more kitchens prioritize a separate walk-in pantry, sometimes with its own unique design style. It’s become more common to include a “hidden pantry” where the entrance blends into the existing kitchen cabinetry. For a highly practical space, consider which features would make this space the most efficient, whether that means custom storage features and/or lots of countertop space for prep. If you’re adding a walk-in pantry to your kitchen layout, consider how you’ll use the space and what items you want to store. The answers to those questions will help you plan the right cabinetry for the space.
Katie’s Favorite Kitchen Feature: Integrated Lighting
Katie is our lead designer over at the Mahomet showroom, and she is such an asset to the Gravel Lane Design team! Expanding our reach over to her hometown, Katie brings a wealth of design experience to the table. One of her current favorite kitchen features is adding integrated lighting throughout the cabinetry. Whether it’s under-cabinet, interior, or toe-kick lighting, thoughtful integration can create an ambiance like no other. There are several types of under-cabinet lighting, so be sure to explore your options when designing your kitchen. If you plan to incorporate any glass doors, consider adding interior lighting to highlight that cabinetry. Although lighting may seem like an afterthought, it can really take your kitchen to the next level if done right!
McKenzie’s Favorite Kitchen Feature: Stained Wood Cabinetry
You can find McKenzie at the Eureka showroom as well as out and about the Mackinaw, Tremont, and Morton areas. She is a kind and talented designer who works tirelessly for her clients. In terms of kitchen design, McKenzie said, “I’m in my era of being obsessed with wood cabinets. Maybe a mix of paint, but I love the earthy wood kitchens.” While different types of wood stains may go in and out of style, wood cabinetry has and always will be a beloved feature. Designers and homeowners are loving natural wood stains, ranging from light to medium to deep, rich browns. Layering in other earthy elements, such as natural stone countertops and greenery for styling, can round out the kitchen design.
Alicia’s Favorite Kitchen Feature: The Beverage Station
While not an interior designer, Alicia is the one who photographs each designer’s completed projects, so she essentially gets to see them all! Here’s what she had to say about her favorite feature:
“I love seeing a designated beverage station incorporated into kitchen designs. Typically, this includes a built-in beverage fridge to house all your favorite canned and bottled beverages. I love the concept of being able to keep that stocked, especially when entertaining, without having to take up a bunch of space in your regular fridge. Taking it a step further, a beverage station might include a built-in icemaker, glassware storage, or a beverage rollout. However it may come together, I enjoy the idea of having a specific spot of your kitchen cabinetry dedicated to the simple pleasure of enjoying a refreshment.”
If you want to stay up to date on the latest kitchen design inspiration, make sure you’re following us on your favorite social media! We regularly share our latest project photos on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.
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