Fall harvest season is upon us. That means many of us are spending a lot of time in our kitchens canning, drying, and freezing food that we will be able to enjoy throughout the winter. We aren’t just talking about homesteaders here, there is a significant movement throughout North America of people returning to the art of eating locally and preserving their own food. So what would be some of the most important design elements in a busy kitchen and what would a kitchen remodeling project look like for a family who uses their kitchen in this manner? In many ways, it would be like combining grandma’s farm kitchen of yesteryear with the modern conveniences and technology that we have today. Large work surfaces – Having enough room to spread out is a must when processing big batches. Having a large work surface such as a kitchen island gives you not only a work surface but also storage space and a bit of extra seating. *If the main cook in the house is a little shorter or taller than average, a custom island can be built an inch or two shorter/taller than standard counter height. You would be amazed at how comfortable a more ergonomic work station can be! Pantry and cold storage – Clearly, you’ll need enough space to store your canning, root vegetables and squash. If your main floor doesn’t have enough room, you could always speak to a home contractor about building one in the basement. Instead of cold storage, you could have ventilated drawers installed in your pantry for vegetable storage. Space for an extra freezer – Many people today choose to freeze rather than can their fruits and vegetables. In many cases this can be a quicker and easier process and there are fewer food safety concerns when freezing food. If you don’t have the space for a large chest freezer in your kitchen or pantry, a standing freezer may be a better option for you. Large cooktop –If you have a large family or do a lot of batch cooking, a good quality cooktop is a must, and a six-burner cooktop would be a delight. Farmhouse sink – A big part of food preservation is the prep work and clean-up. A large sink with a retractable faucet will give you a leg up when washing all of the veggies and scrubbing bulky pots. Combining modern conveniences with traditional knowledge makes for a comfortable and productive kitchen that will help you maintain a satisfying, healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Contact the home improvement team at Booher Remodeling Company of Indianapolis at (317) 852-5546. Our kitchen-design experts are here to answer your questions and help create the kitchen of your dreams.