Blending Design and Function to Maximize the Kitchen

• February 11, 2021

For good reason, the kitchen is considered the “heart of the home.” A common convening spot for meals, entertaining, family discussions, and an assortment of other life endeavors, the kitchen is the home’s premier multi-purpose, memory-making space.

Given how much we demand of our kitchens, we need to consider function and design simultaneously so the kitchen can deliver. In its Lifestyle Series homes, Gallagher and Henry fosters this through thoughtful planning and savvy interior design that makes the kitchen a beautiful, functional, and safe space. Here’s how:

Workspace Solutions

For adults and kids alike, the kitchen has long been a common workspace for paying household bills, tackling a work project, or completing a homework assignment. In its recently released ranch plan, the Fremont, Gallagher and Henry emphasized workspace with two kitchen islands as well as a semi-private chef’s kitchen. Having multiple workspaces in a common area of the home has become even more critical given the rise of remote work and e-learning in the COVID era. Notably, the Fremont’s dual islands provide added storage space and seating.

Savvy Storage

Speaking of storage, it’s critical to a kitchen’s functionality. Without generous storage, a kitchen can easily become a cluttered mess that leads to inefficiencies and a frenzied atmosphere. In its Eden home plan, Gallagher and Henry prioritized storage in the kitchen area with a full wall of cabinets extending some 11 feet, a kitchen island, and a butler pantry. As assortment of upper and lower cabinets in varying configurations, meanwhile, can accommodate different servingware, gadgets, and kitchen aids.

Lighting the Way

Given how many different daily tasks take place in the kitchen, lighting cannot be an afterthought. In Gallagher and Henry’s Danbury plan, a window over the sink and nearby sliding glass doors flood the kitchen with natural light, while recessed lighting ensures a bright environment that illuminates the entire kitchen area. Gallagher and Henry also installs additional pendant lighting over the kitchen island and a chandelier over the dinette space to bring added flair and practicality to the kitchen.

Functional Style

With its Lifestyle Series homes, Gallagher and Henry have amplified opportunities to merge design and function. Consider hardwood flooring. While hardwood flooring certainly contributes to an overall design aesthetic, adding texture and warmth to the kitchen, it must be durable enough to withstand the rigors of kitchen traffic and daily use. By making hardwood flooring a standard feature in its Lifestyle Series home kitchens, Gallagher and Henry enables homeowners to select a style that suits their tastes while ensuring homes have a practical, purposeful solution for everyday living.