Kitchen Design and Remodeling Information

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Designing a kitchen layout is probably the most important step in the remodeling process. When your kitchen is designed properly it will be a place that is both pleasurable to prepare your meals in, and pleasing to the eye. When choosing a newly designed kitchen, make sure that you set a budget that you can afford and will allow you to add function and convenience over the existing kitchen. And as with any project make sure you hire a designer/contractor that is experienced and you feel comfortable working with.

If you have a older home, your kitchen more than likely is severely lacking in both cabinet and counter space. This is quite common since the occupants at the time the residence was built did not have the same needs for space as the average homeowner does today. They did not have to store food processors, blenders, mixers, juicers, and other kitchen appliances as we do today. It is important to remind yourself of the old adage "there is a place for everything and everything in its place" when designing your new kitchen.

Today there are a multitude of options available in kitchen cabinetry and storage. Pantry cabinets, lazy-susans, roll-out trays, appliance garages, microwave cabinets, and spice inserts can all add to the convenience of working in your kitchen. Sometimes using 36 or 42-inch height wall cabinets instead of the conventional 30-inch wall cabinets will provide the extra storage space required. When using the extended height cabinets, keep in mind the top shelves are not easily accessible, but they add a great deal of space for seldom used items.

Make sure when designing the kitchen layout you provide maximum countertop space in the "right" areas. These areas include to the side of the refrigerator, stove, sink and below the microwave. Choose your countertop material wisely, keeping in mind the durability, clean-ability, and cost of the product used. Laminate and tile countertops will require repair or replacement before "solid-surface" products, but provide less cost upfront.

Think wisely when choosing your sink, disposal, and faucet. Kitchen sinks are available in a myriad of designs, materials, and finishes with each having their pros and cons. Stainless steel sinks which were quite common are not used as often as they once were, but are still a viable option today. If choosing a stainless steel sink, it is better to use a "lined" model which will all but eliminate the flex and vibration when using a "waterfall" type faucet or waste disposal. The remaining types such as "lined" enameled steel, cast-iron, and solid surface are all excellent choices for durability and differ mostly in the upfront costs. Make sure you choose a faucet that has the design options wanted, easily serviceable, and is made of quality materials. Remember that the labor cost is no different when installing an inexpensive model or a quality product. Spending more on a quality faucet upfront will save a great deal in the long run. The same is true when purchasing/choosing a waste disposal, a little more money spent upfront will save aggravation and expense down-the-road.

Lighting is a very important and often overlooked item when designing your new kitchen. Most older homes have one or two overhead lights and a single light over the sink. Try to eliminate all of the "shadows" if possible when designing your kitchen lighting, and take advantage of existing and/or new window placement. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways and must be tailored to your unique kitchen design.

The flooring you choose will have a huge impact on the overall appeal of your new kitchen. When choosing your flooring material it is similar to choosing your countertop material - keeping in mind the durability, clean-ability, and cost of the product used. Vinyl type flooring is probably used more than any other flooring product in the kitchen, which does not mean that it is the best flooring product to use. Vinyl flooring damages rather easily and will probably need replaced sooner than any other item in your kitchen. Wood flooring adds a warmth to your kitchen but has its own unique maintenance requirements, although it will last a very long time. Ceramic tile floors can give a very satisfying appearance to a kitchen floor and can be used to further enhance the appearance of other design elements. Keep in mind when choosing ceramic flooring for your kitchen that it will require maintenance, feels "hard" on the stocking feet, and is more difficult to clean then other flooring options. Laminate type flooring is growing more popular every year. It is manufactured to resemble both wood and tile designs and is personally our favorite kitchen flooring product. It is "softer" on the feet than any of the above products, provides excellent durability, clean-ability, and the upfront costs are not much higher than using a quality vinyl flooring product.

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