Do You Really Need Kitchen Furniture?
A new homeowner has a lot of decisions to make. When you buy your house it is going to come as an empty shell. And it is up to you to fill it with things that make it look more like home. Now, you might bring a bunch of stuff with you on your journey from place to place. And you might just want to fill that empty shell with all of your old stuff and your old style. But if you are looking for something new or don’t have everything you need then you need to go shopping.
Furniture shopping can be an expensive chore. The house has so many rooms to fill and the price tags have so many additional zeroes tagged on to the backs of them. If you want to save yourself some money (and who wouldn’t?) you might start asking yourself if you really need certain pieces to complete the house you’re going for. After much consideration of all the other rooms, you are inevitably going to come to the kitchen and wonder: “Do I really need new kitchen furniture?” The answer is up to you, but let me lay out something to consider before you come up with it.
Kitchen Furniture Adds Features to a Kitchen
Now, there is no way to know what your particular kitchen looks like. You have to make your own judgment call on what features it lacks and what features you can live without. Most kitchen furniture pieces are going to remedy some pretty annoying problems though. Certain furniture pieces like a kitchen island and some kitchen stools can give you additional counter space to work with and a place to eat a quick meal. A kitchen pantry will provide plenty of storage space for dry goods, small appliances, and other various kitchen supplies. If your kitchen has enough of all of these things then you probably don’t need it.
Let’s talk about it further.
Increase Workspace with Kitchen Furniture
Freestanding kitchen furniture adds extra preparation areas and storage to existing food preparation space without renovating built-in counters, cabinetry, and shelving. The vast selection of kitchen furniture sets and accessories available makes integrating new units into an existing layout quite simple.
Mobile and stationary carts, islands, stands, shelves, and racks provide functional extensions of work and storage areas. These specialty cabinet units are made in styles and materials that match many popular built-in cupboards and counter surfaces. Selecting complimentary materials for surfaces and base units can result in attractive pieces that can be tailor-made to fit the current decorative scheme.
To augment a classic French kitchen, furniture might include light-colored solid wood units topped with granite in colors that accentuate the décor. Wrought iron and black steel also blend well in this décor. In a large space, an island with shelving and a top of granite or butcher block not only provides additional preparation and storage areas but defines workspaces on either side. A small counter on one end can add an informal bar area for quick snacks and for visitors to chat while food preparation is going on. In smaller layouts, mobile cabinets, tall, narrow shelving units and suspended pot racks can be effective in increasing storage without cluttering the room.
Modern Kitchen Furniture
For a modern kitchen, furniture should be of sleek and reflective materials like stainless steel, chrome or brushed aluminum. Tiered storage shelves and corner units present elegantly simple, clean lines. Carts and islands provide extra work surfaces as well as storage for cooking vessels and utensils. 
Units equipped with stainless steel sinks or cooktops extend existing counter space. Shelving and cabinets may also feature concealed waste bins or slots for the storage of large baking sheets and cutting boards. Separate wall-mounted racks in complementary materials can display spices, cookbooks, utensils, and knick-knacks.
A dedicated space for the preparation of gourmet foods is a boon to the serious cook. A stationary stand with a stone top or a butcher-block cutting board surface adds needed workspace that can make it much easier to prepare food in an organized way. Bakers may appreciate a marble top for rolling dough, baking bread or assembling cakes and cookies. Baker’s racks in materials such as wrought iron, wicker, wood, and stainless steel provide storage for specialty cookware and cutlery while adding an attractive piece to the room featuring Italian kitchen furniture.
Wine racks lend an old-world charm to food prep and dining areas. Racks may be dedicated to wine storage alone, or be incorporated into bar islands, baker’s racks and workstations. A tasteful open-shelf corner unit with a polished stone top adds interest to an otherwise unused space.
Buying Options
Department stores, specialty stores, discount merchandisers, home improvement retailers, and on-line merchants offer an almost infinite selection of mobile and stationary units. Prices vary from discount kitchen furniture too costly pieces depending on the material, type of construction and complexity of design. Unfinished or partially finished pieces allow the do-it-yourself enthusiast to select both the finish for the base and material for the top.
For the thrifty, cheap kitchen furniture can be found in second-hand shops or through on-line merchants offering “gently used” products. Bargain hunting for antique kitchen furniture sometimes provides interesting results in estate sales and through reputable on-line antique dealers.
Combining functional pieces with matching dining furniture, table sets or dinettes creates a cozy nook that invites family and friends into the workspace. The kitchen will become a vibrant, cheerful workplace by adding attractive and functional kitchen furniture.
Expanding Your Food Storage Space with a Kitchen Pantry
Finding enough space to store canned and boxed foods, as well as snacks and fresh fruits is a challenge for many families. Especially when there is a mix between everyone’s favorite foods in the house. It can be difficult to find one central location to store the items. A kitchen pantry is an essential part of any kitchen. And while some homes have them built into the dining area, others are left for the homeowner to be more creative in finding storage solutions.
In these cases, people resort to using pantry cabinets and open shelving to store food. Even those homes that have built-in units face the challenge of not having ample space to stock up on food. Fortunately, there are plenty of kitchen pantries that can be implemented into your home. No matter the present conditions you’re working with.
Decide Your Need
The first step to choosing a pantry organizer is to decide how much storage space you need. If it’s a few extra shelves for keeping canned food or kids’ snacks, try a jelly cabinet, which is a small cupboard that’s great for storing pint-sized jars. If you’re looking for more storage space, and have the room, opt for a larger sized cabinet that will hold all of your family’s favorite foods. Also consider where you shop, as buying in bulk requires more shelving space versus shopping in small quantities. To maximize space, try placing wicker baskets on the bottom of the cupboard for keeping fresh vegetables and breads on hand.
Once you determine what size kitchen pantry you need, it’s time to do some shopping! There are many types of cabinets on the market, which makes it easy to add one to your existing space without much redecorating. If you have enough space, try a free-standing pantry that can be placed anywhere in the kitchen. Generally made of wood, these units are large and have closed doors on the outside which lend a neat appearance. If you’re working with a limited room, try the popular pull-out pantries instead. These storage units are tall and narrow and fit either in between or inside your existing cabinets. They are lined with racks that are ideal for storing canned and jarred foods, as well as boxed meals and other cooking ingredients.
Pantry Rack
Another option is a pantry rack, which is lined with white baskets and pantry shelves for additional storage. These racks can be hung on the backs of doors, while others come as free-standing units. Although they are not as attractive, they’re inexpensive, lightweight and great for extra storage within pantries or cupboards. Another great option if you’re low on space is to add pull out drawers. You can install them inside your cabinets. Conveniently, this type of added pantry storage allows the drawers to be pulled out. Additionally, they are cost-effective and easy to install.
Many kitchen pantry cabinets are made from wood, which can be purchased unfinished or finished. Some have an antique look to them, perfect for rustic or country-themed kitchens. Others may have a laminated finish, best for contemporary homes. Popular wood choices include maple, oak, and pine. When planning where to put your kitchen furniture, always choose areas in the home that have a cool temperature and low humidity. If you don’t have room in the kitchen, try making your cupboard an extension of the room. You can do it by placing it in a nearby hallway or entryway. Yet remember that it’s also important to keep the foods within reach, so don’t venture away too far!
Add More Seating with Kitchen Stools
The kitchen is a busy room in the household. Not only is it the place where meals are prepared and served, but it is where families talk over dinner, socialize with friends and relax after work. With all the use that this area gets, it is important to have adequate kitchen furniture for seating 
throughout. Whether kitchen chairs at the table, under-counter stools at the island or breakfast bar stools at the breakfast nook. Since there cannot usually be an abundance of chairs, especially in spaces that are limited, many people turn to the advantages of sleek and compact kitchen stools.
There are many advantages to choosing round chairs for the kitchen. But before running out and buying several for the home, there are a few things to take into consideration. First, the seats should be the appropriate height for the island or breakfast bar. So that when sitting on them, they are comfortable and roomy. The best way to find the right height for the seating is to measure from the floor to the underside of the counter. Then take away 10 to 13 inches. Since this is the space you want to leave for the legs and knees.
Second, find out how many chairs you can place at the breakfast bar. Ideally, you want there to be 26 to 30 inches of space from one center of the chair to the next. This will leave adequate room for each person sitting. Also, be sure to place them in convenient spaces. Like setting them in front of pantry doors, walkways or cabinets will make maneuvering difficult.
Style and Design
Another important aspect of choosing kitchen stools is the style and design of the chair. There are three types of kitchen stools available: backless, swivel and those with armrests. Backless seating is the least comfortable of the bunch since it does not offer back support. Yet these chairs are small and perfect for sliding underneath the island surface, being tucked away without sticking out. Swivel stools have their benefits as well since they allow the seat to be moved around instead of having to drag the chair out. This saves wear and tear on the floor and also reduces noise. Seating with armrests is comfortable and provides adequate support. But it tends to be bulky and unable to slide underneath countertops.
Materials
The material of the barstools is another feature to consider. Since this will have more impact on the seating than just its appearance. There are plenty of materials to choose from, with wood being a popular choice. Wooden chairs are easy to keep clean and can be finished in a variety of colors, matching your cabinets or table. You can also opt for a tie-on protective pad that guards the chair from nicks and scratches. While also providing additional comfort. Wrought iron is another choice of material and is popular in traditionally decorated homes. Although beautiful, these chairs are heavy and can be difficult to clean.
For the ease of practicality, many people love the low-maintenance metal counter stools. They are powder-coated and can be produced in just about any color. They are modern looking and durable, yet light enough that they do not readily leave behind scratches on floor surfaces. A model in chrome, aluminum or stainless steel seating that has padding is easy to keep clean as is faux leather and vinyl. If you are unsure if the style you prefer is going to present cleaning difficulties due to the proximity of food, you can try a plastic protective cover.
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