The kitchen is the most moisture-filled room in the household outside of your bathrooms or en-suites. That moisture needs somewhere to evaporate in order for the space to remain comfortable and to avoid issues like damp. However, while most modern kitchens are considered with this in mind, and the solutions may seem obvious, that’s not always the cae.
For example, what if you have an older property where you can’t install a brand new ventilation system easily? What if your insulation is so good it’s actually keeping the heat in? What if your climate is highly humid for good portions of the year, so moisture doesn’t dissipate as it could?
All of these issues can be countered with good design of course, but it’s not always clear if the baseline options aren’t present. In this post, we’ll discuss some design measures you could take to get started with confidence:
Install Extraction Hoods & Fans
Extraction hoods pull steam and moisture straight out of your kitchen while you cook. They work better than you might think, sucking up all that vapor before it settles on your walls or ceiling. If you’re cooking pasta or boiling water continually, you’ll notice the difference immediately.
Opt For Blinds, Not Curtains
Curtains absorb moisture and hold onto it, which creates damp spots and musty smells if you’re not careful. We’d recommend modern kitchen window blinds, which are much better at letting air circulate freely around your windows and don’t trap steam like fabric does. They’re also much easier to clean if they get splashed while you’re cooking.
Wooden or faux wood blinds work well in kitchens too, because they’re not affected by humidity. Metal blinds are another good option and they wipe clean easily.
Consider Window Ventilation Locks
Window locks that let you keep windows slightly open for a constant airflow without security worries are a great investment. They’re useful for ground floor kitchens where you want ventilation but don’t want to leave windows wide open when you’re out.
These locks allow just enough gap for air to move through while keeping your home safe, and of course, you can even leave them on ventilation lock when it’s dark outside so as to help your kitchen airflow.
Consider Moisture-Resistant Paints & Fabrics
Kitchen paint is often impacted by steam, grease, and general cooking mess. You can use moisture-resistant paints that are designed to handle this without peeling or developing mold spots, and they’re slightly more expensive but last much longer in such high-moisture areas.
For any fabric you do use in the kitchen, look for synthetic materials that dry quickly and don’t hold onto moisture. Natural fibers like cotton tend to absorb steam and take longer to dry out, which can lead to damp smells if you’re not careful, for instance in a dog bed.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily and readily design a kitchen away from the poor ventilation and damp we’ve all come to accept.
