Kitchen and Living Room Design: Creating Sightlines

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Ellecor

You love the open floor plan of your home. It makes a spacious feeling, increases natural light, and allows for easier movement from room to room. How do you keep your sightlines clear? Ellecor Design explains how to create sightlines as part of kitchen and living room design.

Sightlines Explained

Sightlines take advantage of open spaces to allow people to see (or not see) various elements in your home. One key advantage to sightlines in an open floor plan is that you can keep an eye on small children playing in the living room while you’re cooking in the kitchen. You can also watch TV while you’re prepping dinner, or relax in the living room when you’re listening for the oven to beep. There are several ways to create clean sightlines in kitchen and living room design.

Stay Low

Keep your furniture and accessories lower, around 4 feet or less. Avoid floor lamps or table lamps that block the TV while you’re in the kitchen. Forget high-backed chairs, tall pieces of art, or freestanding shelves. You can have these items in your living room design, but consider them as corner pieces that are out of the way.

Rearrange Furniture

One handy part of an open floor plan is the easy path to walk from room to room. Rearrange your furniture to make a cohesive path that goes from your living room, through the dining room, and to the kitchen. You might have a hallway that stretches down from the living room towards the bedrooms. Think about aligning that hallway with your open floor plan’s living room design. You could have a space that allows you to see from your kitchen to the end of the hallway!

Think of Straight Edges

Maintain straight lines with your furniture to have a clear sightline. Align the back of your couch or comfy chair with the edge of the dining room table to create a longer line of sight. Imagine lining up a pool shot in billiards or measuring a piece of wood to cut. You want your line to be as straight as possible in living room design.

Avoid These Sightlines

Some sightlines should be avoided in living room design, just because they are unseemly and you want to maintain some aspects of privacy in your home. Try not to make a sightline where it’s easy to see dirty dishes in the kitchen, the toilet when the bathroom door is open, or the interior of a bedroom. Dirty dishes don’t look pleasant, and the bathroom and bedroom should be places of privacy in your home.

Living Room Design by Ellecor

An open floor plan is a great way to create an inviting space for your family and friends. The Ellecor Design team has suggestions, tips, tricks, furniture, and accessories to take full advantage of your kitchen and living room design. Contact Ellecor Design today or call (417) 720-2602 for more information.

Kitchen Design: Types of Kitchen Cabinets

Posted on February 17, 2020February 17, 2020 by Ellecor

Kitchen cabinets are an important part of the kitchen design. With so many different finishes, styles, and possibilities, cabinets allow you to make your space your own! But when you are remodeling your home, how are you supposed to decide which type of cabinet is ideal for your layout? Ellecor Interior Design is here to help! In today’s blog, we look at four types of cabinets you should consider for your kitchen design.

Wall Cabinets

Wall cabinets are mounted at eye-level on the wall, usually above a counter or appliance. They often store dishes, glasses, dry foods, and spices. When adding wall cabinets to your kitchen design, you should consider your needs for storage and accessibility. The right wall cabinets can complement both the backsplash and the countertop to complete your kitchen design.

Base Cabinets

If you are looking for additional storage for pots, pans, cleaning supplies, and more, base cabinets are a huge help! By installing these cabinets, you immediately free up space in your wall cabinets so you can store your bigger, bulkier items below. Some common features of base cabinets include Lazy Susans, pull-out drawers, and island cabinets.

Pantry Cabinets

Pantry cabinets, also known as tall cabinets, are perfect for holding groceries, cookie sheets, and cleaning supplies. Just as the name suggests, they fulfill the role of a pantry, but they often require much less square footage. When you are remodeling your house and don’t have room for an extensive pantry, install a few pantry cabinets to give you the extra space!

Cabinet Drawers

Cabinet drawers are a life-saver in your kitchen design. They can easily hold utensils, cooking tools, dish-towels, and much more. Drawers are essential to any kitchen design because they create an easily accessible space for smaller items that are used frequently. Plus, with so many stylistic options for drawers, you can really make your kitchen unique!

Ellecor Interior Design: Your Personal Kitchen Design Experts

Looking for help with your kitchen remodel? Ellecor Interior Design is the perfect place to start! Our interior designers are experts at all things kitchen design, creating amazing home styles and maximizing storage space.

Take a look at our extensive gallery, where you will find some of our favorite designs, decor, and more! We want to help transform your kitchen, so contact us today to find out more!

2019 Interior Design Trends for Kitchens

Posted on May 20, 2019May 23, 2019 by Ellecor

Your kitchen, depending on how much you cook, is probably one of the rooms you spend the most time in. It makes sense that an updated kitchen is one of the first things that people look at when redesigning their homes. If you’re thinking about redesigning your kitchen in 2019, it’s a good idea to look at some of the latest trends if you want some inspiration. Today in the Ellecor Interior Design blog, we’ll be looking at some of the hottest kitchen trends for this year.

Light Colors are Out, Dark Colors Are In

White kitchens have been a staple for a while now but, in 2019, many experts see a trend toward darker, more dramatic-looking kitchens. Of course, there are still plenty of ways to make a darker colored kitchen feel open and airy. It all depends on how you use the colors and which colors you choose. Dark colors also add a dramatic and elegant touch to the kitchen area, which is something you and your guests are sure to enjoy.

Related Post: 2019 Interior Design Predictions

Tons of Storage

Open shelving looks great, in theory, but it’s not the most practical trend. In 2019, people are going to go back to appreciating their storage space. Whether you’re the organized type or messier, it’s nice to have everything tucked away and out of sight. Especially if you have plenty of space to put these items in. One of the best examples of this is the trend toward storage walls, with entire sections of the kitchen dedicated to large towers of cabinetry.

Even More Feature Walls

Feature walls were pretty big in 2018, but now people are going even further with feature walls on multiple sides of their kitchens. Backsplashes that take up the entire wall are also going to be bigger in 2019.

Hidden Hood Vents or No Hood At All

In pursuit of a cleaner looking kitchen, the hood appliance has been hidden away or altogether replaced with alternatives like downdraft ventilation. This also creates more space and gives your kitchen a more open look and feel.

Choose Ellecor Interior Design

If you’re looking for a fresh new kitchen design this year, trust Ellecor Interior Design to get the job done. We specialize in room and home designs, and we can design something that you’ll love. Contact us today for more information and to speak with a member of the Ellecor design team.

Ideas for a Custom Dining Room Table

Posted on April 8, 2019March 23, 2020 by Ellecor

A dining room is nothing without a dining table for everyone to gather around. If you truly want a unique and beautiful dining room, a custom dining room table is the way to go. Having trouble thinking of ideas for your perfect custom dining room table? Ellecor Interior Design can help! Keep reading to get some inspiration.

Styles of Dining Tables

When choosing a style for your dining room table, there are plenty of options:

Rustic Dining Table

A rustic dining table is perfect for those looking for a more natural look. A farmhouse dining table is a common example. This is great for homes going for that homestead aesthetic. Typically, rustic dining tables consist of unpainted wood and simple shapes.

Modern Dining Table

A modern dining table favors sleek, sharp angles. This is meant to be a clean, minimalist design. This is often the perfect solution for someone looking for a dining room that feels open and spacious.

Industrial Dining Table

These tables are characterized by a factory-like aesthetic. Metal and wood are incorporated to give it that industrial feel. Industrial design can seem cold by nature but, with the right design and decor, it can integrate into a homey setting easily.

Contemporary Dining Table

The contemporary look is for those who really want to make a statement. You can design a contemporary dining table in all kinds of different shapes, colors, and sizes. If you want your dining room to stand out in a more eclectic way, this dining table is definitely the way to go.

Whatever Kind of Dining Table You Want

Of course, we’re here to listen to your wants and needs for a dining table. We can make custom furniture specifically designed to your preference and your personality. Our expert craftsmen will work with you to create your perfect dining table.

Choose Ellecor Interior Design

At Ellecor Interior Design, we’re happy to make any custom furniture piece you need to add the perfect, unique touch to your home. We do everything from built-ins and cabinets to dining tables and chairs. If you’re not looking to make a custom piece, we also have a furniture store with pieces carefully selected by our designers.

Ellecor Interior Design does much more than just custom furniture. If you need interior design or interior decorating service, we’re the company for you. We completely personalize our services to meet your individual personality and preferences. Contact us today for more information.

2019 Interior Design Predictions

Posted on February 27, 2019March 23, 2020 by Ellecor

We saw plenty of exciting trends through 2018, but the new year means new trends! In 2019, we expect to see plenty of shake-ups in the interior design world, and we can’t wait to implement some of them in our upcoming projects. Today in the Ellecor Interior Design blog, we’ll go over some of the trends we expect to see this year.

Multifunction Furniture

Minimalist design is still in style, and part of simplistic design is doing more with less. This means choosing beautiful yet functional furniture that can serve multiple purposes. For example, consider an ottoman that offers hidden storage space. Multifunction furniture allows you to make the most of your space.

Related Post: Popular Custom Furniture Pieces

Terrazzo Tile

Terrazzo tile will certainly be having its moment in 2019. If you’re not familiar with Terrazzo, it’s a composite material with chips of quartz, granite, marble, and glass. There are multiple ways to use this material. It’s been used in everything from carpets, to tiles, to walls.

Geometric Patterns

Geometric patterns have been around for a while, but expect a bit of a resurgence in 2019. Geometric designs and patterns can take a stale, simple room and add a big statement, giving the room some more life and eccentricity.

Eco-Friendly Trends

Every new year brings new environmentally friendly technologies, and they definitely have a part to play in the interior design world. Everything from recycled wood for decor and floors to energy-saving appliances can be easily included in an overall design. Also, incorporating plant life in your design always adds a natural, green element and looks great!

Florals

Floral patterns and designs are definitely making a comeback in 2019. No, we’re not talking about the floral couch at your great-grandma’s house. Modern floral patterns are more subtle and minimalist than old fashioned floral designs. Expect to see this trend become big this year.

The Color Black

The color black, especially in kitchens, is working its way back into interior design. All-white has certainly been prevalent the past few years, but working some black into designs proves to add a nice contrast and provide a modern look.

Choose Ellecor Interior Design

Whether you’re looking to implement the newest trends or you want something more timeless, Ellecor Interior Design has you covered. We listen to your wants and needs so we can completely customize and personalize your design to match what you’re looking for. Contact us today for more information and speak with a member of our team about getting an estimate.

Kitchen Design for the Efficient Home Chef

Posted on January 30, 2019March 23, 2020 by Ellecor

Kitchen Design for the Efficient Home Chef

Have you ever been frustrated by the limited space and less-than-optimal design of your kitchen? The struggle to finish Christmas dinner with a lack of counter space is an experience many have faced. Luckily, it’s possible to maximize the efficiency of your kitchen with a few design choices. Today, the team at Ellecor Interior Design will share a few ways to turn your cramped cooking area into a model of efficiency.

Designing for Efficiency

One of the first questions we ask our clients is how they use their existing kitchen space, and how would they like to use it? Are you hosting dinner parties? How do you serve your meals? Do you use a family style dinner table or do you spend most of your meals in front of the TV? These choices can have a major impact on the ideal kitchen design for you.

For instance, if you like to serve buffet style from your kitchen island, it would make a lot of sense to create storage room for your plates and silverware in the island rather than across the room.

Related Blog: Maximizing Your Kitchen Space

Remember the Golden Triangle

The age-old concept of the “Golden Triangle” of kitchen design is famous for a reason. Creating adjacent zones to maximize your space and avoid overlap is the ideal way to design a kitchen. For the uninitiated, the golden triangle, or working triangle, refers to a kitchen design goal that places the sink, oven, and fridge connected in a three-point triangle. This creates a corner of your kitchen in which you can prepare, cook and clean, all in a convenient space designed to make life in the kitchen easy. The more counter space you can fit within this area the better.

Create Zones Around Specific Areas

Designing work zones with specific jobs in mind will allow you to place the right tools and design goals in these areas to maximize efficiency. Consider the following zones when designing:

Prep Area – This is where your kitchen workflow starts. This area will be where you gather your cooking ingredients, prep your tools, and cut and measure your ingredients. This is usually best placed directly beside your cooking area/oven to avoid having to move too far when it’s time to cook.
Cook Area – The cooking zone is where your oven, stovetop, and microwave should be. Store your tools in this space, like spoons, spatulas, pots and pans. It is also a great idea to have a seasoning pantry here for ease of access.
Clean-Up – Your sink, dishwasher, and trash should be in this zone. Ideally, you want it near your cooking zone to make clean-up a cinch.
Storage – The storage zone is where you will put everything away. You want your refrigerator and pantry in this zone. Keep your Tupperware, plastics, and foils in this area.

Kitchen design with mindful use of storage, movement and workflow can transform your kitchen into the efficient heart of your home.

Contact Ellecor Interior Design Today

If you are looking to get the most out of your kitchen space with an efficient, stylish design — visit the experts at Ellecor Interior Design today. You can call our team directly at 417-720-2602 or come visit our storefront in Farmer’s Park on East Republic Road in Springfield.