The kitchen has evolved from a hard-working room where guests and even family members never entered into the hub and heart of the modern home. As a result, the kitchen is arguably the most remodeled room in existing homes and commands a lot of attention in new home construction.

Because the kitchen is so central to the life of any home—and such a frequently used room—it can also be a source of frustration. How do you plan a room for all the functions (cooking, food preparation, entertaining, family gatherings) this room is required to accommodate?

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you plan the kitchen for your new Poconos home. These tips can help you avoid a few of the most common frustrations homeowners face in their kitchens—and turn your kitchen into a place you love to be.

Not Enough Space

One of the most common complaints homeowners make about their kitchens is that there simply isn’t enough space. It doesn’t matter how beautiful your cabinets or countertops are if there is not enough space to do what you want to do. So as you look at floor plans for a new home, pay attention to how much space the kitchen affords. Think about how you plan to use your kitchen. If you plan to entertain there (even if it’s just casual “hanging out”), you’ll want to make sure you have enough space to work (meal preparation, etc.) and socialize. If you don’t have a lot of guests, you may be able to get by with a smaller space.

Poor Space Planning

Adequate space in the kitchen doesn’t just depend on square footage. We’ve seen enormous kitchens that were still frustrating for homeowners because they are laid out in a manner that doesn’t match the needs of the cook. Take note of how things are arranged in the floor plan. Are the counters, chopping spaces, appliances, and sinks arranged so that it’s easy to move back and forth when you’re preparing food? A huge kitchen may be nice to look at, but you don’t want to wear roller skates to get from one end of the kitchen to the other!

Inadequate Lighting

It’s almost impossible to overestimate the importance of good lighting in the kitchen. Not all lighting is created equal. That’s particularly true in the kitchen. You’ll want task lighting that’s focused on the areas where you’re working. And that light should be bright enough that you can easily see details. Of course that’s not the best lighting for socializing, so you’ll also want light for ambience for when your tasks are done and you and your guests are having a casual conversation.

Inadequate Storage

A cluttered kitchen is the bane of many a homeowner’s existence. Again, this doesn’t always come down to the amount of counter space or floor space. A long countertop that’s packed simply isn’t attractive. When you talk to your builder about the kitchen, ask him or her about innovative ideas for storage—whether it’s finding hidden space in corners or narrow spaces, or even building in a pantry. Talk about places to store seldom used appliances and foodstuff.

Of course you won’t want to overlook your flooring, your countertops, your cabinets, and your appliances. But making sure your space is optimally designed for the way you work and entertain removes most of the frustrations homeowners run into in the kitchen.