Even though renovating a kitchen can be a tedious process, it can also be richly rewarding as you plan for your family needs. There are an increasing number of exciting kitchen remodeling options available to home owners ranging from classic styles to futuristic designs.
The kitchen has evolved from a place to simply cook food to a central household hangout where homeowners can display tasteful style and spend time with family and friends.
Remodeling ideas are dependent on the tastes and style preferences of home owners. For those desiring a contemporary style, stainless steel appliances, cupboards, and countertops are a great option.
For a more traditional kitchen, consider a wood grain cabinet in white. Stainless steel appliances with granite, Cambria, siltstone, or laminate countertops go well with these cabinets. Along with the cabinets and countertops, new flooring is the next update. The flooring can be wood, tile, cork, or another material. This, once again, will depend on your taste and the overall design of your kitchen.
Perhaps you desire a kitchen for multiple purposes; the live-in kitchen might be the best choice for you. The live-in kitchen has been developed to facilitate the fast-paced lifestyles of homemakers who want to concentrate on their cooking, while still being able to watch their children. It is the perfect kitchen plan for busy households because kids can do homework, watch TV, or plug their laptops in while hanging out as you prepare meals.
The main concept of this kitchen design is to provide a place that is not solely for cooking, but where everyday social interaction can take place. A countertop, mid-room island with a stove or sink is the central feature of this design. Family and friends can eat and socialize around the island on elevated stools. A cabinet for a television is another good idea to create ‘bonding and entertainment’ while working in the kitchen. It is important to create a clear division in the live-in kitchen where the cooking, food preparation, and the cleaning will take place, while finding a comfortable and inviting spot for family and friends to gather around.
Another popular kitchen addition is one for the outdoors. This design concept is relatively new, but has become popular as more and more families enjoy each other’s company around a backyard or a pool area. The casual outdoor kitchen style provides endless possibilities in design because it can integrate a variety of appliances. Before planning your outdoor kitchen, it is important to determine the purposes that it will serve. Will you be using it for parties or family barbecues?
Purpose is central to the overall design of any cooking area, but since your kitchen will be outdoors, appliance choices are very important. Stainless steel appliances are recommended because they can tolerate extreme heat and moisture unlike wooden ones.
Planning the Kitchen
A good idea for those who are seriously considering a kitchen remodel is to make a list of likes and dislikes in your existing kitchen. Brainstorm a list about friends or neighbors’ kitchens which you admire. Incorporate the information from the two lists, talk to a designer or contractor, and see what is possible within the confines of your home.
A kitchen remodel can be an enormous financial undertaking and take months to complete. It’s very important to develop a budget you are comfortable with. What can I realistically afford and am I willing to spend? Additionally, home life can be disrupted for months during remodeling so families must be prepared for disruptions.
Try to find a designer or contractor who is personable and can give you the ideal kitchen. Then decide who is going to complete the work. Are you going to hire a contractor? Are you going to complete all or some of the work yourself?
Take a look at your existing kitchen and start making a list of all the items in it: cabinets, countertops, appliances, etc. Take this list and start researching the products you would like to use in your new kitchen. While researching, you can decide what products will fit in your budget.
After the budget is established and you have some preliminary research on desired products, it is time to start seeking out a custom builder to plan the kitchen remodel.
If you decide to complete the work yourself, establish a timeline for your remodel. What are the lead times for cabinets, countertops, appliances, etc.? Try to establish a realistic timeline for the labor – day one demolition, day two demolition, etc.
Congratulations. A kitchen remodel is a time consuming and challenging process, but the rewards are many. A well-designed kitchen with the latest appliances, flooring, and cabinets will create an inviting environment, increase efficiency, and boost the resale value of the home when the time to sell arrives.
