The kitchen is undoubtedly the heart of any home. It is the place where a homemaker spends most of her time, where friends get together over a cup of coffee, where the kids do their homework, and where most of the important discussions concerning the family are held. Though each family’s needs may be different, the fact is that a kitchen should not only be pretty to look at, but also practical, functional and easy to maintain.

Here are a few kitchen-remodeling ideas that will go a long way towards making your life easier and more comfortable. Though you can always choose to go the DIY way, it makes more sense to hire a professional who knows the latest trends and can come up with a plan that best suits your family’s requirements.

Quartz countertops for easy maintenance

Planning to upgrade your countertop? Switch to quartz. Quartz countertops do not require sealing at any stage, whereas granite needs to be sealed upon installation and then again every year to prevent stains. Quartz is also tougher than granite and more resistant to scratches and burns. Granite slabs may also have invisible striations that may just crack open one day – a problem that you would not have to face if you choose quartz for your countertops.

More storage

Kitchens need lots of storage, and if you’ve done your homework well, you can design your kitchen in such a way as to get maximum storage and zero wasted space. For example, you can turn your dead corner space into usable storage by installing a lazy Susan with multi-tier carousel shelving. You can replace your base cabinets with deep drawers that can hold your big cooking pots and pans. Full extension drawers that slide all the way open can be used to store your kitchen knick-knacks and spices. Wide cabinets over the refrigerator can give you some storage space for your holiday dishes.

Brighten up

Evaluate your work areas carefully to find out how to give each spot the light it needs. A line of mini-pendants can enhance the look of a kitchen island and provide sufficient overhead lighting. For under-cabinet lighting – you can use LEDs or fluorescents – they provide plenty of lighting on countertops for preparation tasks and also function as mood lighting.

The right kitchen island

A kitchen island adds plenty of counter space and also a gives a place for guests to sit and have a drink while the host putters around the kitchen. The space below the island is great for extra storage and can be used for storing utensils that you don’t need on a daily basis. But don’t forget to make sure that the island is in the right spot, does not hamper the kitchen triangle and still has enough space for people to move around freely. Experts advise you not to go for an island unless the kitchen is at least 12 feet long and eight feet wide.

Easy-to-use faucets

Install touch-free or hands-free faucets that come as a blessing when your hands are covered with dough or sticky goop. Many of the models in the market today also come with water flow and temperature adjusting features.

Kurt Jacobson is a snowboarding enthusiast with a background in real estate. Having moved 11 times in the past nine years, he thrives on helping others learn from his experiences. When he’s not out shredding the mountain, he writes about all things rental related for the website RentFinder.co.