Congratulations! You’ve decided to build a Yankee Barn Home. Now you’re faced with hundreds of kitchen design options and are not sure what you want. As the hub of most households, the kitchen is an area with high emotional impact; you want it to be functional and aesthetically pleasing. If you’re confused, frustrated and overwhelmed by all the options, we’re here to help. These are some tips you can use in your barn home kitchen design process to turn it from a stressful experience into a productive and fun reality.
Zones
While walls may have disappeared from the main living space of a home, zones still exist within an open floor plan. These zones can include areas for cooking, entertaining, dining, and relaxation, plus computer centers, back kitchens, pet suites, and drop zones (the place to put things down after coming in from outside). In an open plan it is important to keep in mind functional spaces and the importance of flow patterns. For instance, from the kitchen, a home owner should not have to walk through the living area to reach the dining table, and a person entering the home from the garage should not have to walk through the kitchen prep area to reach a drop zone: mudrooms area great option. 
Islands
Regardless of a kitchen’s size, islands not only serve as focal point of the room, they also expand prep and seating areas. Islands are often the link between cooking area and entertaining area. People tend to congregate in the kitchen. The island has become an important component that not only works for the cook but provides a common area for communication, work, hobbies and homework. Islands are taking on different shapes and frequently have different finishes that serve as an accent to the rest of the kitchen. Add statement light fixtures above the island and “ta-da”—you’ve created a functioning kitchen centerpiece.
Surfaces
When it comes to surfaces, you might benefit from design expertise. Many of us select granite because we feel it’s ‘the best choice”. But this is a huge opportunity to educate yourself to incorporate your tastes. The first question to ask yourself is not about materials choice, it’s about acoustics and reflective qualities: Do you want a room that is loud with a shiny finish or a room that is quiet with matte finish? Kitchens that are quiet with a matte finish tend to have seamless, integrated materials that absorb light and sound, while kitchens that are loud with shiny finishes are highly reflective of both light and sound; often appearing brighter. 
Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets can increase efficiency in a kitchen if used properly. For standard nine-and ten-foot ceilings, wall cabinets should go all the way to the ceiling (you can always spot a” cookie-cutter contractor special” when kitchen cupboards don’t go to the ceiling). For a clean, modern look, select cabinet door profiles with simple lines, and maintain one cabinet height throughout the entire kitchen. Cabinets are also a great place to integrate appliances and features for pets while maintaining a uniform look within the space. Overall, simplicity is key in today’s barn home kitchen design. 
Color
There isn’t one single color choice that will appeal to all. A good place to start is with contrasting colors. Select dark-colored cabinets and flooring and balance it with light-colored counter-top and back-splash selections or vice versa. This is a popular way to add drama to a space without adding cost. Another option is to select cabinets, counters, and flooring that are neutral, then add a bold pop of color through paint, back-splash or both. 
