Reston and Ashburn are popular communities in Northern Virginia. Residents love the strong schools, employment opportunities, and property values.
However, the type of housing differs between the two places. Mind you, this affects the kitchen size and renovation priorities.
In this article, we explain the main differences in kitchen remodeling Reston vs Ashburn. Homeowners can understand them easily and plan accordingly.
Kitchen Size Comparison Reston vs Ashburn
Reston
Reston was founded in the 1960s as a planned community in Fairfax County. The vibrant architectural heritage consists of contemporary designs, split-level homes, townhouses, and colonials.
During that time, compact rooms and closed layouts were prevalent. That’s why you can expect galley-style kitchens. The dining room is separate, creating a space dedicated to enjoying family meals. A low ceiling is another characteristic of older homes, often present in Reston houses.
As a result, modern kitchen design Reston VA focuses on knocking down walls to create open plan spaces. Designers use every single inch of the vertical space to provide ample storage. Plus, they use different tricks to make the ceiling appear visually higher.
Layout Challenges
Opening up the kitchen in Reston becomes more difficult when homeowners learn the walls are load-bearing. To knock them down, the professionals need to install structural beams for support.
The first thing to do is consult a structural engineer. They will suggest proper solutions since most homes have a low ceiling.
Lastly, don’t forget about permits. This type of work requires getting permits from Fairfax County, which adds to your project timeline.
Professional tip: Instead of removing walls, go for widening the openings. This doesn’t require extensive structural work, so it lowers the costs.
Ashburn
Ashburn is located in Loudoun County. The town expanded in the 1990s and 2000s, with larger colonials, Craftsman-style homes, and single-family houses.
For homeowners, this is good news. It means the houses are newer and built when open concepts became popular. You can expect to see spacious kitchens, ranging from 200 to 350 or more square feet.
The large islands are dedicated to home entertainment. They come with storage on all sides, including seating and prep sinks.
The space allows for walk-in pantries, which are ideal storage solutions for busy homes. When it comes to cabinetry, 42-inch is the standard. Large countertops with plenty of workspace are a homeowner’s dream.
Higher ceilings make the space look airy, allowing for cabinet expansion for extra storage.
Simply put, Ashburn kitchen renovation ideas won’t focus on expansion. Instead, they enhance efficiency and utilize the unused space for storage. Decorative cabinets and wasted corner space are some of the common issues.
Layout Challenges
Ashburn kitchens are spacious and open. However, some layouts are poorly planned. Large islands often block traffic. Or the pantry is placed far from the cooking zones.
But one of the advantages is that the kitchen is connected to the mudroom. You can use this space to enhance the storage options.
Verdict
The kitchen size comparison Reston vs Ashburn allows us to understand the key differences. Expanding the space is the common goal in Reston. However, efficiency is the priority in Ashburn.
Kitchen Layout Ideas Reston Homes
Use the Vertical Space
Limited storage space is a common problem in Reston kitchens, resulting in clutter. While you can’t do much to expand storage, work with the space you already have. Cabinets that extend to the ceiling utilize the gap that would otherwise gather dust.
Create a Pantry
Many Reston homes have hall closets near the kitchen. You can take advantage of this space and turn it into a pantry for extra storage. This helps avoid costly expansions while enhancing efficiency.
Professional tip: Go for smart storage solutions such as adjustable shelving and pull-out drawers.
Narrow Pull-out Racks
Galley kitchens are common in Reston townhouses. And they often have unused vertical gaps between appliances. Installing pull-outs puts that space to use and is ideal for storing trays or spice racks.
Multi-functional Island
When you have enough space, a slim kitchen island adds storage and extends the cooking zone. When it comes to storage, opt for deep drawers rather than cabinets. This small improvement helps keep everything easily accessible.
Professional tip: If you don’t have enough space for an island, consider a portable island for that extra working space.
Open Shelving
For galley kitchens, having upper cabinetry on both sides makes the space feel cramped. Basically, you want to remove the upper cabinets from one side. Replace with open shelving to make the space feel open and airy.
Lighting Improvement
Small kitchens feel visually larger with the right lighting. Under-cabinet lighting brightens the dark corners while enhancing visibility for meal prepping. Recessed ceiling lights help maintain visual openness.
Ashburn Kitchen Renovation Ideas
Custom Storage
Ashburn homes already have walk-in pantries. However, they come with basic wire shelving. Homeowners need space-saving kitchen solutions since the vertical space is wasted.
Go for custom adjustable shelving and pull-out bins for easy access. Add deep drawers for heavy items.
Professional tip: Divide the pantry into zones according to your needs. For example: dry goods, snacks, small appliances, baking supplies, etc.
Optimal Island Storage
While large islands do have plenty of storage, they come with standard cabinets. And let’s not forget these have lots of unused space. Add deep drawers and appliance storage to maximize the available space.
Kitchen Zones
A large space isn’t functional unless divided into zones. You should have a distinct prep area, cooking area, and storage zone. Pots and spices should be near the cooktop. Also, kitchen tools like knives need to be within arm’s reach in the prep area.
Mudroom as Transition Area
Ashburn kitchens are often connected to the garage. This creates space for a mudroom as a transitional area. Implement storage such as lockers and closed cabinets to prevent it from overflowing into the kitchen.
Adjust Cabinets for High Ceilings
Homes in Ashburn often have 9- or 10-foot ceilings. Standard cabinets are 36- or 42-inches, leaving a gap that only gathers dust. Extending the upper cabinets to the ceiling adds more storage space but also makes the kitchen look balanced and visually connected.
Professional tip: Some ceilings might slope slightly, so have this checked before installing.
Final Take
From this article, you learned that Reston and Ashburn houses were built in different eras. Because of this, the kitchen remodeling challenges differ.
Reston kitchens are smaller, requiring expansion. Whereas Ashburn kitchens are large but could use some efficiency.
Remember that a well-planned kitchen helps overcome any challenges. Our experienced team works locally, so they can help with improving daily function and property value. Contact us now to get started!