Houzz Open Plan Kitchen Living Room

Planning for Your Kitchen Remodel

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The kitchen is often the heart of a home. It's the place the whole family gathers for meals, homework, conversation and entertaining. It's important to make it work for the entire household, from spacious work surfaces, a practical layout, plenty of storage, to the right kitchen appliances. Making sure functionality is the goal guarantees that it's user-friendly for everyone. Read on, for ideas on how to design an ultra-functional kitchen that combines good taste with practicality.

Take Time to Plan

Taking time to plan every detail of your kitchen remodel will minimize the amount of construction time. As a bonus, you're more likely to stay on budget if you don't have to create change orders at the last minute. How much time should you spend on planning? The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends at least six months.

Things to consider when making your plans:

Study your existing kitchen and create a drawing that includes measurements for doorways, walkways, height, counters and appliance spaces.
Think about the traffic patterns; work aisles should be a minimum of 42 inches wide, and at least 48 inches for multiple household cooks.
Choose all fixtures and materials before starting; it allows contractors to make more accurate bids, and you'll have less risk of delays from back orders.
Plan for contingencies in case something unexpected happens. Build in a little leeway to complete the remodel.
Make the design easily accessible for all household members. Put drawers or pull out shelves in base cabinets, add counters that can adjust up or down, get a wall oven instead of a range.

Keep the Same Footprint

If possible keep appliances, water fixtures and walls in the same location. Nothing drives up costs faster than changing the location of electrical outlets and plumbing pipes, or knocking down walls. You'll also cut down on the amount of dust and debris the project creates.

Keep Appliances Simple

Appliances are basically tools used to cook and store food. Your kitchen remodel should be about the functionality and design of the entire kitchen, and not about the tools. It can be easy to get carried away by visions of luxury-brand refrigerators, or six-burner commercial ovens, but they may not fit your lifestyle or cooking needs. Unless you plan to make full use of these items, concentrate your budget on long-term features that add value, such as flooring and cabinets.

The Power of Lighting

The right lighting can make a big difference in a kitchen. It can make the space look larger and brighter, and it helps you to work efficiently and safely. Two types of lighting that should be incorporated into the kitchen are task lighting and ambient lighting. Task lights are fixed under cabinets to illuminate work areas and remove shadows, ambient lighting includes ceiling fixtures, wall sconces and track lights. Think about including dimmer switches to control intensity and mood.

Add Storage Not Space

Extra storage is always welcome and you can do this without adding space. Install cabinets that reach the ceiling; you can always use a stepladder. Make use of excess wall space by mounting wall shelving, and use ceiling mounted racks to hang pots and skillets.

Make Quality a Priority

Durability and functionality should be top priorities for kitchen remodeling. Resist buying bargain or low-quality items, and instead choose low maintenance products with long warranty periods. Stick with well known brands that have good consumer reviews online.

Communicate Clearly With Your Remodeling Team

Establish good rapport with your construction team and communicate clearly. Dropping by the project during work hours signals your commitment to quality. Hang a message board on site so you and the project manager can leave pertinent information. Give your cell phone number and email address to team leaders. Set house rules about smoking, music noise, available bathrooms and parking space. Be kind and try to avoid pestering the workers with questions and instructions; they'll work better when they can fully concentrate.

Spear Tasty Recipe

Houzz Open Plan Kitchen Living Room