Most homeowners spend more money on kitchen remodeling than any other upgrade you’ll ever do. Your kitchen is the heart of your home and is the main focal point when you have friends and family over.
Planning your kitchen remodel should take more time than the actual construction. If you plan well, the amount of time you’re inconvenienced by construction mayhem will be minimized. The cost of kitchen remodeling is usually off-set by value it add’s to your home.
Here are some important things to consider during your kitchen design stage. How wide is the doorway into your kitchen? It’s always good to create a drawing of your kitchen with measurements for the doorways, walkways, counters and counter tops. Work aisles should be a minimum of 42 inches wide and at least 48 inches wide for households with multiple cooks.
Drawers or pull-out shelves in base cabinets; counter heights that can adjust up or down; a wall oven instead of a range: These are all features that make a kitchen accessible to everyone and enjoyable to work in.
Appliances are essentially tools used to cook and store food. Your kitchen remodel shouldn’t be about the tools, but the design and functionality of the entire kitchen. So unless you’re an exceptional cook who cooks a lot, concentrate your dollars on long-term features that add value, such as cabinets and flooring.
Then choose appliances made by name brand that have high marks in online reviews and a warranty.
New lighting can make a big of difference in the look and feel of your new kitchen. Brighter lights will make it look larger and help you to see better when your cooking in the kitchen.
Under-cabinet lighting should be on your must-do list, since cabinets create such dark work areas. And since you’re remodeling, there won’t be a better time to hard-wire your lights. (Here’s more about under-cabinet lights.) Plan for at least two fixtures per task area to eliminate shadows. Pendant lights are good for islands and other counters without low cabinets. Recessed lights and track lights work well over sinks and general prep areas with no cabinets overhead.
Flush-mounted ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, and track lights create overall lighting in your kitchen. Include dimmer switches to control intensity and mood
Functionality and durability should be top priorities during kitchen remodeling. Resist low-quality bargains, and choose products that combine low maintenance with long warranty periods. Solid-surface counter tops, for instance, may cost a little more, but with the proper care, they’ll look great for a long time.Get Extra Storage Space
Storage will never go out of style, but if you’re sticking with the same footprint, here are a couple of ideas to add more:
If you install cabinets that reach the ceiling, sure they may cost more but you’ll gain valuable storage space and you won’t have to dust cabinet tops. Mount small shelving units on unused wall areas and inside cabinet doors; hang stock pots and large skillets on a ceiling-mounted rack; and add hooks to the backs of closet doors for aprons, brooms, and mops.
These are some things to keep in mind when your planning your kitchen remodeling. We will work closely with you to achieve the look and functionality of your new kitchen.