Kitchen Design Basics – Common Mistakes

Kitchen remodels are on of the most popular and profitable home-improvement projects one can undertake. By following some basic guidelines, you can insure that the finished product will add maximum value and utility to your home. Here are some basic guidelines.

Pay attention to the Work Triangle

kitchen islands are very popular and many will incorporate an island into their kitchen updating project. Make sure that the basic work triangle will not be impeded by the introduction of the island. Basically the traffic flow between the refrigerator, sink, and cook top should not be blocked by the island. The work triangle theory of kitchen design has been abandoned by some in recent years, but I still consider it to be an important and fundamental tenant of sound kitchen design.

Make Sure To Leave Adequate space Between the Cabinets

The minimum recommended space between rows of cabinets or between cabinets and kitchen islands is 39″. Often, in an attempt to introduce an island into the kitchen, this will be reduced. This is a big mistake as the kitchen will then feel extremely constrained and uncomfortable. If you anticipate having more than one person using the kitchen at a time, I recommend that this be increased to a minimum of 48″, though 54″ is even better.

By following the two principals outline above, you can avoid two of the more common mistakes that many homeowners make. If you are unsure of how to reconfigure your kitchen, it may be wise to obtain input from an experienced kitchen designer.

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Design Your Kitchen As Per Your Requirements

Today, we spend more and more time away from our house. Phones and Internet keep us connected and mobile in ways no one ever could have imagined. Our homes are safe places, to relax and reflect on our lives, a place to spend time with loved ones.

But, where is the heart of the home? There exists within the home a living, breathing room, where people live, and work, and congregate. The kitchen is very important. It only makes sense to spend a little extra time and money on that room. However, there is no reason you need to break the bank when considering a new design.

When thinking about how you will designing it, there are two important factors to consider. The first thing to think about is function. It is the room that probably gets the most actual usage. Also it has a number of different appliances, each with a number of different powers and plumbing needs.

The appliances must be situated in such a way as to allow the most access without interfering with the other appliances. Everything must be accessible, yet still unobtrusive. It must also be designed in a way that can grow and change as your family and needs.

The second feature to consider in your kitchen design is style. What does the style of the kitchen say about you, and your home? Are you trying to create a modern, sophisticated look, or would you rather have a warm, classic feel to your kitchen? Aside from considering how it looks, you must consider how the looks are in relation to the rest of the house. Each room of the house must create a unified theme, reflecting your personality and needs.

Once you have deeply looked at both aspects of the design, it is time to look at your options. For those looking to do a total overhaul, new appliances might be called for. These appliances can create a new look, while offering more powerful and cost conscious alternatives to the appliances already in your kitchen. One might also consider new cabinetry and flooring, to create new and better storage options while completely overhauling the look of the room and home.

For those of us on a budget, there are less obtrusive, expensive ways to change the design. Simple refurnishing of the cabinet doors and hardware may create a whole new looks for pennies on the dollar compared to more invasive redesigns.

The amount of time and thought you put into designing it today may make for a greatly increased home value down the road. In order to get the most change for your money, consult with a trained design expert. They may be able to mold your ideas into a solid and cost effective plan that fits your needs for today and tomorrow.

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Remodeling Your Kitchen – Will it Pay Off When You Sell?

Many homeowners often ask the question, will I get back my money on this remodel if I sell my house soon? The short answer is, it depends.

My second short answer is yes! If your overall home is nice and your kitchen is lacking then it maybe wise to remodel before you resale. But you must take into account the cost to remodel, do not go overboard on your kitchen if your home is an average dwelling. Find out what is happening in your neighborhood as far as kitchen remodels go.

Never remodel with a strong niche theme in mind. That means no checkered flooring, retro, country, etc. A theme that does not fit with your home and or mass market may make it harder to sell your home. Remodeling for profit means your kitchen cost should be no more than 8% of total home value.

For an honest opinion ask your friends and family. You can never trust someone who has motive to gain business or profit from your home. Take it for what it is worth.

Hiring a remodeling contractor. Make a list of exactly what are must have item for your project then hand them out to all that come over to bid. Get as many bids as you like and then you can eliminate from the bottom up. Every contractor thinks they do good work. I know guys who have been remodeling for 20 years who are not very good with quality. Just because they have done it for the longest time does not have anything to do with their knowledge or quality.

Take your time. Avoid contractors that are in a hurry to get you to sign something. They are worried you will find someone better. They are not very confident that you will pick them and their deal.

Finally, If you are in doubt? Don’t do it. Time will tell. But if you plan to live there for a while and think you will enjoy the remodel and can afford it than I say go for it. Often times when I am done with a remodel the homeowner will tell me I really wish I would have done this sooner.

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