Prepare Your Kitchen Design for Summer

It took a little longer than expected, but it would seem that summer has finally arrived in Bucks County. You may be planning a lot of grilling outside, but your kitchen design is still a big player when it comes to planning a summer get together. Whether you're inviting a few friends over for a small cook out or all your neighbors over for a pool party, the kitchen, as the centerpiece of your home, will play a big part in entertaining.  

Check out the tips below to ready your kitchen design for summer, so you can enjoy more time in the sun doing what you love!

Clean your kitchen design from top to bottom. Leave no plate unturned. 

Cabinets & Countertops
Empty all your kitchen cabinets and wipe down the shelves, counter tops, and any items residing in or on top of them. Be sure to clean spilled food; bugs are very active in the summer and will be attracted to spills and open packaging in your kitchen cabinets. Replace any cabinet liners that may have worn out over the years.

Windows
The beautiful summer sun will show all the excess dirt on your windows. Give them a good scrub with a mix of 50% white vinegar and 50% tap water. If they're especially grimy, clean them with soapy water before applying the vinegar spray.

Appliances
In the summer, your appliances are working harder to compensate for the heat, so it's important to clean them so they will continue to work optimally. Scrub any mildew from your dishwasher, vacuum your fridge's coils (and clear out any older items from the refrigerator), and degrease your stove. Don't forget the stove top!

Trash Can
Don't think about. Just take your trash can outside and give it a good deep clean. It's been too long and you will be so glad you did!

Cutting Boards
Rather than distort your wood cutting boards with soap or bleach, sprinkle the board with coarse salt and then scrub it with half a lemon. Squeeze the lemon as you scrub to release the juice. 

 Plant a kitchen herb garden. 

If you cook a lot, consider planting several herbs that will thrive over the summer. Think how fun it will be to experiment with different flavors in your recipes. Fresh herbs can be used in marinades, sauces, salads, on meats or fish, and more! Basil, thyme, rosemary, mint, oregano, parsley, dill, chives, and lavender are all easy to grow, not too costly, and perfect for even the most inexperienced gardener.  Start your herb garden outdoors near the kitchen, in a kitchen window, or create a “green wall” by installing shelves or racks to grow your plants vertically.  Bonus: A little herb garden will bring some added charm to your kitchen design.

Switch your plates, cups, and dish towels. 

With the change of seasons, it's common for people to switch out their warm winter bedding for something a bit lighter. Who says you can only swap out bedding? To enhance the feeling of summer in your kitchen design, mix up your plates and dish towels to something a little more fun and colorful. Go bold with a fun pattern or keep it simple with something light and airy. If you have young children or an outdoor pool, consider switching to acrylic dishes and cups during the summer to avoid potential accidents.  

Get out your summer gadgets. 

Put away your winter cookery, like the crock pot and pasta maker, and replace them with the juicer, the blender, the ice cream maker, and anything else you’ll need this summer.  Be sure to clean your gadgets well before storing them for the season; and don't forget to dust off the ones you just took out!

Update your wine or beverage bar. 

An Irish coffee or a glass of red wine sounds delightful on a cold winter's night, but in the middle of summer your guests want to stay cool. Put away the bourbon and Kahlua, and instead display your favorite tequilas or rums on the beverage bar - perfect for margaritas, daiquiris, and summer punches.

 Remember, you can never have enough ice.

There's nothing worse than going to make yourself a cold, refreshing cocktail only to find there's no ice. Buy a few extra ice trays at the dollar store, so you don't run into this when you're entertaining. If you're planning a kitchen renovation in the near future, think about installing an additional ice maker to ensure your drinks will always be cold. 

 For design inspiration for a kitchen design or bathroom remodel, visit our design gallery or our Newtown showroom!