6 Designer Trends for a More Functional Kitchen

[@kvcooks814]

YES! Finally a designer talking about plug mold! We've use these in our last 3 kitchen renos . Leaves such a clean looking backsplash, but I think it only works because we don't store any small appliance out on the countertops. The strip one under the cabinet next to our sink is wired with our disposal switch. The ones from Task Lighting are angled and customizable with switches, USB outlets for charging devices, even lights -they're not a hassle to use at all.

[@SamBaker-z9h]

depends, I would find them annoying and if I bought your house would probably demo those lights and have outlets put in. I dont like them at all.

[@JackieofAllTrades]

Yay! Another great video Mark! I have never thought of putting a power strip bank along the base of wall cabinets. Such a practical solution! And each time you talk about lights I think of ways I could add more task lighting into my kitchen to make it more functional. Thank you so much for putting this one together.

[@vondapommills2195]

Having the correct lighting ofall sources is a must

[@trinaroe5132]

I have plug in under counter lights I got from IKEA. Didn’t require rewiring and I used command strip cord control clips to keep the wire tight under the upper cabinet then ran it down to an outlet near the corner. I just put a decorative tray leaned against the backsplash and supported at the bottom by my breadbox. It has an on cord toggle switch that I stuck right where the two uppers come together so I can easily find it by touch.

[@edwardcasper5231]

Hi Jackie!!

[@JackieofAllTrades]

@@trinaroe5132 I might need to research that option

[@JackieofAllTrades]

@@edwardcasper5231 hi Edward!

[@eattolive0071]

I love my under cabinet outlets.

[@imscanon]

The under cabinet outlet strip would be awesome, but only for things that aren't always plugged in. If the toaster is always plugged in as you use it every day (or coffee maker, whatever), I'd rather have it in a wall outlet instead of the cord running all the way up the wall to the cabinet all the time. Visually, that's more distracting than say neatly tucked in behind the actual toaster where you don't really notice the cord that much. So I'd say do the wall outlet where you will keep things plugged in, but have a strip under cabinet in, say, the area you bake or prepare food and just need to temporarily need to plug in a mixer, blender, waffle iron or whatever just while you're using it, then putting the appliance away somewhere or don't keep it plugged in all the time as you don't use it daily.

[@leeeakin936]

As a very tall man, the strips are difficult, but an old fashioned hand mirror from the thrift store works fine: hang it on a hook inside a cabinet, toss it on the counter when I need to see “up”. Also, soft-close everything. Get rid of most lower cabinets and replace with deep drawers to facilitate easy access. Also three or more shallower than normal, just the depth of silverware storage, one layer of implements, etc.

[@mcmccoy1184]

Finally! A builder willing to prevent “acne outlet” on the backsplash.

[@SamBaker-z9h]

I prefer these over the contortionist outlets. IM 40 too so bending over is not a big deal, just annoying. plus I designed my kitchen with where I will keep my appliance in mind. microwave, coffeemaker, toaster are in the breakfast bar cabinet and they all each have their own outlet. function over form for me.

[@keradee8742]

I would like to elaborate on the hidden power strip idea. I worked for years at a business that thought this was a good idea. Wrong! They're hard to use, like you mentioned. If the plug is loose, you either have bad contact or it falls out of the socket. Cords can tangle easily when multiple things are near each other. And it looks terrible when in use! If the whole idea is to not see an outlet, is seeing cords hanging down your wall like a bunch of investing snakes ready better? I don't think many people are going to want to unplug the toaster or coffee maker every morning. If making things easier is the goal, I would highly suggest skipping hidden plug strips.

[@MTKDofficial]

Thanks for the input Kera!!

[@gregpendrey6711]

I talked my Karen into having the strip to cut down on so many outlets in the backsplash. A combination of the two works well. Outlets in drawers on the island have been great.

[@SamBaker-z9h]

I agree. I dont like them.

[@torit5640]

We had to utilize our wall space between the shelves I put in and the stove with a rail and spice rack literally because we have minimal counter space. The spinning spice racks took up too much space, I already hate cluttered counters, and the spice rack has been a life saver! But also now I have too many spices that they’re starting to accumulate on the counter again 🤣 Love your videos, Mark! Thanks for all of them!

[@pattibennett8774]

Drawer microwave. I love mine.

[@SamBaker-z9h]

we hated ours. put ours in the "breakfast pantry" like the pics. But we dont use the microwave at all, maybe once a while.

[@why6212]

Microwaves are out, speed ovens are so in! I'm in love with our KitchenAid combo wall oven

[@trinaroe5132]

The power strips aren’t so bad for us short folks! 😂 We can see under there a lot easier! However, if you have things you leave plugged in on the counter all the time because you use them daily (coffee maker and toaster in my case) having the plug strip isn’t such a sleek look because the appliance doesn’t hide the cord going up to the outlet. With a normal outlet you can just move that item in front of it and you don’t see the cord or outlet.

[@Magpie-1111]

This☝️

[@2wheelfish]

Another problem with under counter receptacles is that a lot of counter appliances today come with right angle cords in the assumption that they are being plugged into a wall (both my toaster oven and coffee pot have this). Having this type of cord plugged in overhead would make for a very awkward angle for the wire.

[@MTKDofficial]

Very true!

[@lynoreabbott1010]

I did add a charging drawer. I use it for all the other electronics...jbl speaker, power banks, dog collar, camera, etc. It keeps everything off the counter. I really like it. I got an ikea Qi charger and installed it in my nightstand so that my phone charges while I sleep.

[@why6212]

Those don't sound like kitchen things

[@AnneHigh]

You raised my thought on strip outlets. I knew I could not use that trend due to eyesight. Does look great though.

[@Charlotte-ow3vi]

I had a wall microwave cabinet at our previous house and really miss it because I had the landing spot on the counter underneath and it wasn't as high or potentially unsafe as over the stovetop. The storage cabinet above was fine for rarely used items like seasonal dishes. We had to buy a separate counter height cabinet for this house (microwave was too large). I use it every day and whenever I've been without one it drove me crazy.

[@MultiInterest]

This video really hit home🥲! I have plenty of kitchen counter space and I love that, however who ever designed my kitchen decided that I all I needed was a couple of drawers and just went with veeery deep cabinets with a fixed middle shelf for the rest of the kitchen storage, and everything with frames which makes it even more complicated to even try to put pull outs to make it more usable, which I had the money to make a big remodelling to fix it all 😩

[@DawnM-g3d]

Do not care if plugs show on the wall. Just want them. The only free plug on the one wall behind the fridge. My husband hooked it up to plug strip under the front of our top cabinets. So great. You can see the cord going behind the fridge, but I do not care. Life is so much easier. Having strips of plugs everywhere sounds great to me.

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

Nice compilation. I love the sleek look of the under cabinet power strip and being 5’1” bending to plug in probably won’t bug me too much (until my neck arthritis gets worse 🤣). Would they work if you also had under cabinet task lighting? Seems they hang down a bit and that might make getting to the outlet more trouble. Love the appliance garage with the door that lifts and the upper cabinet pull downs but wonder how expensive those pull downs are when you add them to every cabinet.

[@MTKDofficial]

They'd still work with the under cabinet lights. Those pulldows can get pricey. But even utilizing one can be good.

[@vondapommills2195]

Great video, fantastic tips.

[@mistertwo6113]

I like the under cabinet lights, how to incorporate the plugs as well... what about the GFIC and disposal switch!!! 🤔 Planning on a 22" space between counter and wall cabinets, so bending is less of an issue. 😉 We hate built-in microwaves. The new ones always break and the sizes always change. 😠 So we're putting our still working great 40yo microwaves on a shelf under the wall cabinets. This gives us an easier look, reach, clean access with plenty of landing around and under! Obsolete before you close the drawer... BINGO!!!

[@murlthomas2243]

Tambour doors would work over microwaves. Appliance garages are great. My sister in law had appliance garages for her stuff and had the power strips put in the garages too. It didn’t matter if it was plugged in all the time.

[@sherylann0508]

Completely unrelated to the video but since it's the latest one uploaded here I am: Could you do a video on Silgranit sinks and how the material holds up over time?

[@pinkiewinkie1548]

Hi Mark, 1) love this idea very much!!! A fab idea, thanks so much! Save this video also (like I did with other of your vids haha, in a map!!!) 2) Not for me, use the oven and microgolf often and do not wanna stow it away!!! No hiding things for me!! 3) Never enough storage indeed ;-) 4) I am very bad in organizing like this and knowing where I wanna place things ;-( 5) Again, this I want too, more lighting under the cabinets!!! 6) I will load my stuf in the livingroom in case it's needed, not in the kitchen (moist). My cellphone (and that of my son) is not on much because of the fact that we have to rest a lot (safe battery and such .........). 7) Like you I do not like the look of that neither, but it can be necessary sometimes with certain kitchen-tools, so I do use this but in moderation (Some of my tools hang on a rack attached to a shelf above the range hood.!). Love and hugs from an old rebel-Pinkie

[@coastaldiva]

Agree those too hidden plugs can be a convenience issue

[@Magpie-1111]

At 3:32, there is literally a Smeg toaster in an appliance garage. 😂

[@coastaldiva]

Agree with the hidden charging station

[@Bozana7171]

Hi Mark! I'm the lady who has a Ceiling Fan in her kitchen, in Cairns, Australia... The tropics. I've been wanting to ask you, what do you think about washable whimsical wallpapers as a backsplash? Kind Regards Bozana

[@MTKDofficial]

Why not?!!! It would certainly allow you to express your creativity in the kitchen.

[@JackieofAllTrades]

@@Bozana7171 I have a ceiling fan too. Love it ❤️

[@mgertp]

Wallpaper can be very parctical in kitchens if it is heavy duty. I have used it in several versions over the years, even behind stoves.

[@Bozana7171]

@@JackieofAllTrades Hi Jackie again! Your ceiling fan is unusual. I saw it it a few months ago when we discussed this last time and we drove Mark a bit bananas on the subject 😂 Huge hugs! 🤗 From tropical Cairns, Far North Queensland, Australia Kind regards Bozana

[@Bozana7171]

@@mgertp I've been considering it, as I hate my tile backsplash 😞 I know to get a heavy duty washable ones. And I would like my own customised print. I have my own art that I do in Deviant Art. I've love what I've created and would use one of mine as a wallpaper 😀

[@tealkerberus748]

I need more information about the under-cabinet outlet strip. The part of the kitchen where I need a lot of outlets is the appliance garage, and there's a lot of steam and grease and stuff happening there because it's a cooking space. I'm planning a range hood over it - but if I had outlets in the back of the under-cabinet behind the range hood, wouldn't they fill up with steam and grease too? We use 240vAC around here and that just doesn't sound safe. Also, please don't put heating appliances in a pantry. A pantry is meant to be 'cool, dark' storage, so even non-heating appliances that mean you spend more time in there with the lights on are a problem for the 'dark' part, but putting cooking appliances in there is going to lead to a whole lot of heat and steam. It's not what you want where you're storing food! The correct place for a charger drawer is in the bedside table. You can charge your devices overnight while you sleep like a normal person.

[@nprwikeepa6082]

I put a wireless charging base on the kitchen counter and we all fought over it. So now theres 3 😂 Currently building a tray to put them all together as 1 unit.

[@mbvx7]

have the plugs go horizontal, right at the top. still easy to get to, easier to cut around. I am an On the counter, I use it, I want it usable, instantly .

[@pm3390]

The best way to handle the microwave is to put it above the oven in a vertical column in a flat build in approach. The microwave needs a door for this to work those vs a horizontal opening

[@JackieofAllTrades]

@@pm3390 team OTR! 🥳

[@patrick070]

can anyone point me to the video link about kitchen lighting he mentions at 7:28? thanks.

[@MTKDofficial]

Here it it kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6TKlJ2eibekq9k

[@patrick070]

@@MTKDofficial thanks

[@coastaldiva]

I dont like the look of hanging spoons or knives or none of that! Great video

[@JackieofAllTrades]

@@coastaldiva same here. I thought about pot racks. It’s the same concept. I’m not a fan of the look at all.

[@mikerudd4943]

When doing a reno...redoing the wiring isn't cheap to do. To remove or move the outlet can be an issue as you can't tie off wires behind the wall. Redoing the entire circuit can be a chore. I don't care for the covers either

[@applesauceandhoney2407]

doesn't the outlets ( as apposed to the backsplash) under the upper cabinets take up cabinet space?

[@MTKDofficial]

They are surface mounted. At least the ones I've seen.

[@applesauceandhoney2407]

@@MTKDofficial ty

[@22304abc]

I want space for a pots and pan tower for the heavy cast iron and stainless steel.

[@kimsoto7665]

Hi Mark. I would like to schedule a design consult with you. Would this be with you personally or someone else?

[@MTKDofficial]

Hi. It will be with me! I'd love to chat.

[@gund89123]

Should those outlets be GFCI ?

[@ryansoo4000]

AAAAGH! They did the same thing in this kitchen (minute 3:50) that I commented on in your last video. What’s with the enormous island blocking the path between the fridge and sink? And then there’s a second sink in the island directly across from the first sink! Oh, foolish designer! Are two people going to stand back-to-back washing things at those sinks? There's not enough room! They could have solved that bottle-neck by placing the island sink on the other side of the island by the fridge. Then people (kids) could come in, grab a drink from the fridge, use the island sink and never bother anyone at the main sink. Oh, the humanity!

[@merryhunt9153]

How tall does one have to be to reach that under-cabinet strip?

[@coastaldiva]

If you’re too tall its a pain to bend to find the holes

[@MTKDofficial]

I'd say 5'4" would be a good height. Or around there. Too tall and it will be awkward.

[@jobond3317]

Having a keypad on the device drawer for teenagers' phones etc Cool

[@mcmccoy1184]

Microwave - a manufacturer needs to design a panel-ready microwave. Just like refrigerators and dishwashers.

[@Sara-jp2nq]

I dont like the look of wires hanging down the wall. Id rather have the plugs behind the counter-top appliances, where they have always been.

[@lazygardens]

For the love of little green goslings, STOP HIDING THE APPLIANCES and the plugs! If you have to guess where they hid the microwave, the designer failed!

[@JackieofAllTrades]

@@lazygardens are little goslings green?

[@coastaldiva]

I just have my small microwave on a side table instead of my kitchen counter

[@anitawilliams8343]

Why have a kitchen if you hide everything away no problem but having to hide the kettle or microwave my husband can’t find a spoon in the drawer let alone if the kettle or coffee machine was hidden away he would say i was hidden thinks away to drive him mad 😂😂 he cant even find the remote control because i bought a product to keep all the remote together

[@EdimentalGardens]

The charging drawer charges the chargers, like all the charging banks. So no one is ever without their phone

[@firestick4991]

I hide my microwave - in the trash!

[@coastaldiva]

Lol

[@MTKDofficial]

100%

[@CCGG-w3b]

Why hide everything in your kitchen? A kitchen is THE place where you cook. Ok, you want your kitchen to look nice but get real: if you want to cook, you need tools and appliances. And you want functionality. A kitchen is the place where functionality supersedes « the perfect magazine look ».

[@SamBaker-z9h]

We put our microwave in a breakfast pantry. yes we have to open d door open the microwave, BUT we dont use it for cooking, maybe to warm up leftovers once in a while. so no big deal for us, still better than drawer microwaves that are an eyesore and odd to use as you have to bend over, reach in and make sure not to spill anything as you pull the cup up. Disagree, having a coffee maker, toaster, blender on the countertop creates visual chaos. no thanks. hide them in a pantry.

[@megasquirrel7944]

I’m don’t understand why anyone would use a microwave anymore. I have replaced mine with a Breville toaster oven with an included air fryer. This is used every day and is a lot more functional, healthier and the food tastes better.

[@torit5640]

We had a range hood microwave when we bought our house and it turned to the Dark Side a few months in… so I ripped it (along with the surrounding cabinets) out and hung up open shelving. I had placed my previous microwave on the counter but within a few months the magnet went out so it wasn’t actually heating anything… so out that went, too! Haven’t even bothered replacing it and food is cooked just fine! If we really need food heated up quickly we just use the air fryer!!!

[@CodyOdy44]

Can you make popcorn?

[@Bob-fk8vd]

Because microwaves are still faster than an air fryer. I use both my microwave and air fryer for different things I want to cook.

[@Bob-fk8vd]

@@torit5640 I used to have some open shelves. Open shelves are dirty and your dishes get dirty. You gave to clean way more often with open shelves. No thank you. I will keep my cabinets with doors.

[@torit5640]

@@Bob-fk8vd we cycle through our dishes quick enough it’s not been an issue. Some of our glasses get a little dusty, but nothing that’s difficult to brush off the bottom. I understand it’s a “to each their own” but I like the open shelving for my ADHD brain for the foods!

[@Arturas1244]

i say better go to europe for kitchen and buy it where. as in usa its complete garbage kitchens. hiding microvave dear god in eu microwave is bought which goes into cabinet its slick no gaps no need to hide as it simply looks like its part of ownen, owen is lower lifted from floor inside cabinet, cooktop used so you can forget grease in those gaps, electrical outlets ussually look good on wall or pops out. slide doors, pop doors, slow motion, slide from top down in many ways. you cant reach cabinet no issues it simply pops out and goes down all cabinet inside to your level., dishwasher is hidden, you think its simple cabinet door you pull and its dishwwsher. why in usa evry kitchen is so ugly simple thing in eu they hide even fridge while in usa its biger than kitchen with those two doors.looks big untill you try put anything inside.