Kitchen Remodeling - Planning and Design Advice
Quick kitchen remodeling tips
Kitchen remodeling is probably one of the biggest and most important home improvements you are likely to undertake in your home. The room is the nerve centre of the home so any improvements you make can drastically increase the value of your house.So before you start splashing out on cookers, countertops and appliances, here are a few pointers to help steer your ideas in the right direction.
Planning is essential for kitchen remodeling whether you are doing a DIY design, or working with a professional. Making sure you have a well thought out detailed plan is the first step. The three main functions you need to consider when formulating your dream kitchen are storage, preparation and clean up.
When designing your kitchen, try and use small islands and peninsulas instead of solid walls. Islands and peninsulas define the kitchen’s boundaries, but because they are at a level that you can see over them they help to connect the kitchen to adjacent dinning and living areas. They can also help make the area more social for the cook who can continue conversation with family members or guests or even just see what is happening in adjoining rooms.
To help differentiate the kitchen from neighboring rooms use a coffered or pitched ceiling. A high ceiling in the kitchen can make it appear more spacious, whereas a low ceiling in a dining room helps to create a sense of intimacy.
Don’t go overboard with installing cabinets. Too many cabinets can make the room appear small and cluttered. Instead of building more storage get rid of those items you probably only use once a year, such as punch bowls etc, and store them in another room.
Try and use different materials and styles for cabinet doors. For example you could use solid wood on some and glass on others or the same materials for cabinets on an island and a different product or style for those found on the perimeter.
