The kitchen is likely to be one of the busiest rooms in your house. Whether it’s the bustle and last minute stresses of a holiday dinner, or a poker game with friends around the kitchen table, your kitchen gets a lot of use. But if you have grown tired of the look of your kitchen, you might want to consider some kitchen renovations. Not only can a kitchen renovation improve your lifestyle, it can add significant value to your home as well. But from custom kitchen cabinetry to Richelieu handles, there are a lot of things to consider when thinking about kitchen design ideas. Here are a few tips to make sure your kitchen ideas become reality.
The first thing many people will need to do when they decide to remodel their kitchen is to slow down. Take a step back and make sure that everything is planned out before you start knocking down walls. Don’t go out and buy those Richelieu handles for cabinets that you haven’t even picked out yet. Taking your time while planning will save you money and ensure you get exactly what you want from your kitchen renovations. And speaking of saving money, if you want the best return on your investment, make sure that your plan costs no more than 20 percent of the value of your home.
One of the most important steps in a successful kitchen renovation is choosing who is going to do the work. For any professional that you hire to work on your kitchen, you should do your homework. Check with the Better Business Bureau for any outstanding complaints against the contractor, and ask for numerous references to ensure they have a good track record. Since kitchen renovations can be a long process, if you are going to be living in your house during the remodel, you will want to make sure you have a good rapport with the contractors and that they accommodate you as much as possible. You might even consider setting up a dust-free area in which you can establish a temporary kitchen. Hiring a professional designer could save you a lot of unnecessary hassle as well. They will be able to help you make style decisions (do those Richelieu handles really go with those cabinets?), anticipate any potential problems, and even schedule contractors for you.
Once you’ve got your design team chosen, you can start planning how your kitchen will look. You should first establish a focal point for the room. Large windows, long walls, and alcoves can all serve as the basis of a focal point. It is also necessary to keep the size of the room in mind. You should try to keep the distance between your major appliances (sink, fridge, and stove) between 12 and 23 feet. Additionally, you should try, if at all possible, to put 36 inches of counter space to the right and 30 inches to the left of the cooktop. If you are lucky enough to have eight foot ceilings, choose cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling. This way, you will have more storage, and be able to use extra wall space for artwork or shelves. If your ceilings are even higher than eight feet, then leave 15 to 18 inches above the cabinets. More on this topic: www.kitchenideacentre.com