If you’re considering making the change to a healthier lifestyle, you’re not alone. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is easier said than done, especially if you’re home layout doesn’t cater to your changes. According to Houzz one-third of homeowners report making the change to a healthier lifestyle after remodeling their kitchen, and more than a third also regretted not spending more on the project. So, just what is it about kitchen remodeling that caters so much to a healthier lifestyle? To help you get a better idea of why kitchen design is so important, let’s look at some of the most important changes you can make and how they can impact your lifestyle.
The Keys to Designing a Healthy Kitchen
- Keeping Herbs and Spices Within Reach
When remodeling your kitchen for healthy living, it’s important to include room for both fresh herbs and dry. Herbs allow you to create more flavorful dishes, which help reduce the amount of salt and butter you need for taste. An easy to reach spice and herb draw is something to consider adding, as well as window space for potted herbs. These fresh herbs are also a great way to liven up your kitchen as they introduce a pop of natural color and bring a little bit of nature indoors. - Adding Electronics
Adding your favorite electronics can also help you enjoy cooking healthy. Installing a TV, for instance, can allow you to throw on a cooking show for inspiration or even just play your favorite shows while you cook. A tablet station can also help you look up recipes on the fly and save interesting ones for future reference. Forget hauling around heavy cookbooks, all the healthy recipes you need are right there at your fingertips. - Organizing Your Pantry
You’ll be amazed by what organizing your pantry can do. No longer do you have to dread digging through clutter just to find that chicken stock that you know is in there somewhere. An organized pantry helps take some of the stress and disorganization out of cooking making it easier and more enjoyable overall. If your current kitchen is lacking a pantry, consider how you can add one in your renovation, whether you get a stand-alone piece or a built-in, remember to keep it easy to access and organized! - Easy to Access Appliances
There’s nothing worse than starting a meal only to end up digging around your kitchen for an appliance that seemingly disappeared. To prevent this, designate a special cabinet to ensure everything you need is easy to find and ready to go when you are. Depending on how large your pantry is, you might also consider storing larger appliances — crockpots, steamers, or blenders — in there to keep them out of the way until needed. - Keeping Temptation Out of Reach
Even the healthiest of use still horde treats around the house for a cheat day every now and then. While this is perfectly acceptable — no one should give up cookies forever — placing them in a hard to reach location, such as a place you can’t reach without a stool, can help prevent you from diving in every time the urge strikes. This also doubles as a great way to keep the snacks away from grabby children! - Keeping an Inventory
A great method that works well for this is installing a whiteboard in an easy to reach and see location in the kitchen. This allows you to quickly write down the foods you need to get or what you need for recipes you’ve found. If you’re lacking space now, try to designate wall space when you remodel so that you can keep everything you need in that area. - Install a Tea Station
First thing in the morning, and all throughout the day, it’s easy to reach for a soda when you want some flavor in your life. To prevent this, install a tea station in your kitchen and make a habit of using it every morning and when you need a pick me up. A special cabinet or drawer can be designated for an array of different healthy teas and make it so that you’ll never have the urge for soda again.
DIY Versus Professional Renovations
Depending on the current layout of your kitchen you might be able to implement a lot of these changes yourself; however, if your current kitchen is lacking in space, you might want to consider investing in a professional overhaul. If you do opt for a professional remodel, consider getting a home inspection before you do. 64% of homeowners claim that they’ve saved more money than they would have because of their inspection. This inspection can detect issues that might arise during a remodel, and your inspector will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
If you do opt for a DIY method, consider the time, cost, and materials you might need to invest in along the way. Installing new cabinets, for instance, can be tricky if you don’t have the right tools or know-how. Smaller changes are easier to make and sometimes it’s best to implement small steps to see how they work for you and then build your renovation plans around these conveniences. In the end, whether you choose DIY or a professional service will come down to your comfort level and how big of a change you wish to make.
If you’re considering a healthier lifestyle, updating your kitchen to match can be the difference between sticking with it and falling off the wagon. And you can start anytime! Whether it’s after celebrating your birthday, which 71% of people report they love, or on any old Tuesday. Without the right tools and conveniences, it’s often hard to commit to healthy living. To make the switch easier, keep the above tips in mind and take the time to see which of these changes works best for you.
