If you ruminate on the common tropes associated with a Southern city such as Atlanta, you will most probably invoke the words, “charming,” “elegant,” and “warm.” Given that kitchens are considered the heart of a home, those embarking on kitchen remodeling for their Atlanta homes try to design their home’s heart in a way that evokes these impressions and sensations.
Style Guide: Choosing the Correct Kitchen Layout
The correct kitchen layout wholly depends on the size of the room and how far you are willing to go with your kitchen remodeling budget. If you are on a tight budget or living in a small apartment, it makes no sense to demolish walls just to make the kitchen bigger. Instead, you can get creative with a floor plan that lets you enjoy a stylish and highly functional Southern kitchen.
Pullman Kitchen (One-Wall) and Walk-Through (Galley) Kitchen
These usually work for homes with small kitchen areas and are considered as the ultimate space savers. The Pullman kitchen appoints all appliances and cabinets to one wall, while the galley kitchen maximizes every inch of space available by incorporating either two walls or countertops opposite each other.
L-Shaped Kitchen
Perfect for small and medium-sized kitchens, this layout makes effective use of corners and creates an illusion of additional space. It also creates a shorter distance within your work zone, which is basically consisted of the sink, fridge, and stove.
U-Shaped and G-Shaped Kitchens
For larger kitchens, this layout makes it possible for multiple cooks to work within the zone (as opposed to the L-shape, which limits the traffic flow within the kitchen). This layout also makes it possible to add islands, though it still depends on how wide the floor space is in such designs.
Must-Have Southern Design Styles for Atlanta Kitchens
To craft a welcoming atmosphere for your remodeled kitchen, you must give the space ample height. However, if the given ceiling is not high enough, you can still make it appear loftier by applying coffered, beaded boards to the ceiling, complemented by high-reaching wainscoting and an arched doorway (if possible) to cap the illusion of height.
Furthermore, the walls and large appliances should be of light colors to create the feeling of openness. Painting the kitchen white is a good idea; it reflects light, which makes the kitchen look larger. However, you can also try novel colors, such as soft gold for a warmer and cozier feel. If possible, you should also add some windows to welcome natural light. For storage, you can try open-shelf cabinets rather than traditional, stuffy cabinets to help maximize the kitchen space.
With a little creativity, you can create a functional kitchen that emulates Southern charm perfectly. For great-looking kitchens, don’t forget to contact a professional remodeling contractor to do the heavy lifting for you.
Sources:
Kitchen Inspiration, SouthernLiving.com
Top 6 Kitchen Layouts, HGTV.com
