Not a cook? Unique design options for your kitchen

The kitchen is an essential room in your home, but it doesn’t mean that everyone will spend ample time in this space whipping up gourmet meals from scratch – and that’s OK. Some people cook as a hobby and enjoy creating a meal or are relaxed by the process of food preparation. Others, however, may not have been gifted with a culinary prowess or an interest in making anything more elaborate than pasta. For those who fit in the latter category, there are plenty of ways to develop a kitchen design that isn’t centered around cooking. Of course you’ll still want to install basics like a stove or cooktop, refrigerator and microwave, but feel free to think outside the box here as well. Here are some ideas from Houzz:

Create a great coffee station
For some of us, the morning doesn’t truly begin until we’ve finished our first delicious cup of coffee. And then perhaps we go back for cup No. 2. If this sounds like you, you could consider creating a coffee station in your kitchen. You can install not only a coffee pot but an espresso machine or cappuccino maker as well. You might also want to stock this space with various coffee flavors, syrups and fun mugs to provide yourself with a cafe experience right from the comfort of your own home.

Make space for wine storage
Vino lovers often develop quite the collection of wines from various wineries and need a place to store the bottles. Whether you prefer red, white or both, using the storage space in your kitchen remodel for this hobby is a great option, especially if you don’t need to store a lot of cookware. You can even add a tasting bar where you can sip a Merlot or a Riesling with friends and discuss what wines pair best with what cheeses or charcuteries. You can install wine fridges in an island or under the counter, or you can make an art installation and hang wine storage mounts along your walls.

Design a welcoming seating area
If you have space enough in your kitchen, forego the simple table and chairs in favor of a cozy and comfortable seating area. Since you’re less concerned with ample counter and cabinet space, you can dedicate an area of this room to a place for family and friends to gather or where you can enjoy that delicious latte you brewed yourself. A breakfast nook makes for a cozy spot to sit and talk over a meal, and benches or booths make the space seem more intimate.