How To Design A Kitchen

The Kitchen Layout

Redesigning a kitchen can be one of the most overwhelming rooms in a home to redesign on your own, but it can be done. Unlike other rooms in a home, a kitchen has certain requirments such as cabinents, major appliances, and plumbing. Installing any of these requires some heavy lifting on your part, and often times a professional for installation and inspections. If your kitchen is ready for a redesign follow this guide to get your project started off on the right foot.

When redesigning a kitchen the first thing you need to know is a really well designed kitchen layout is usable, workable and functional. Keep this in mind throughout every step of the design process. The second thing to know about a well designed kitchen layout is the work triangle. This is when the stove, refriderator, and sink form a triangular pattern in relation to each other. This is an ideal set up because it can save unneccessary steps when working in the kitchen, making your work space more effecient to use.

Next, you need to know how much space to account for. Plan for at least 36 inches of couneter space for food preperation. Remember to allowcate enough space on each side of the sink. Make sure you have at least 30 inches of clearance around appliances with swinging doors. If you refriderator ends up against a wall, you will want the door to swing away from it. Otherwise the wall may prevent it from opening all the way. You will want to allow for adequate walk space around the room. Plan for at least 42 inches between any walk ways in your kitchen. Consider adding more space if you often have a lot of people in your kitchen.

Design Your Kitchen With A Theme

The design process will be easier, and your finished look will be more cohesive, if you choose a theme you love and stick with it. It can be as simple as choosing a color palette in which all design choices will be center around or going for a full on Tuscan theme if that is your dream kitchen. Which ever design approach you take choose one finish for all appliances. When it comes to utnesils, cooking tools, and kitchen accessories stick to one color or finish as well. This will ensure your kitchen will have an overall cohesive design when finished. It will also make shopping easier!

Make All Design Decisions In The Beginning

After you decide on the theme you want take your kitchen remodel, you then need to consider all design ascects. Are you going to need or want any built in cabinets? Are there any awkward spaces that need addressed? Consider your seating arrangement and how you might overcome any obstacles. Remember built in seating can double as extra storage if you are limited on space. If you kitchen currently does not have an island, and you really want to include one in your new kitchen, you will have to determine what the demisions will be and its exact location in the room. There are also other things to consider such as plumbing. Are you wanting to relocate the sink or anything else that needs a line run to it? This could affect the bottom line of your project, and could require professionals to get the job done right. You don’t want to get caught off guard mid-project with unexpected delays and expenses if it can be avoided with proper planning.

 

Set Your Budget

A kitchen remodel can get very expensive very fast. Know how much you are willing to spend on your dream kitchen before you start shopping around. Once you know your max budget plan on setting ten to twenty percent aside for anything unexpected that could come along once you start the demo process and exposing whats underneath the old kitchen cabinets and walls. If you are fortunate and don’t run into any unforeseen problems you can use the funds you set aside for additional upgrades later on.

If your budget is already tight consider repurposing anything you can from your old kitchen. Repurposed wood could make for a beautiful butcher block island counter top for example. Quality is key when redesigning a kitchen. Spend extra time looking for the best appliances and finishes you can afford. This will save you money in the long run as you will have to replace these items less often , and can increase the resale value of your home significantly down the road.

What Are Your Must-Haves

Determining what your new kitchen really needs can go a long way in budget allocation. Once you know what you have to buy, you will know how much money you have to spend on things you would really love to have. Budget for the big ticket items your kitchen must have to function first. You will want to know what is eating up so much of your budget so you can find ways to scale back if needed. Counter tops can really eat into your budget fast. You may realize you have to find a suitable replacement in order to have enough funds to complete your kitchen. You want to know this now rather than later. You may also discover you can live with some of your current appliances for a little longer if it means getting the cabinets your really want. Appliances are easier to change out down the road. Be sensible when considering your needs versus your wants and desires. Take care of what your kitchen remodel really needs now. You can always add the fancy accessories later. It’s much harder to run a gas line, for example, after the walls are painted and the appliances are in place.

 

When To Bring In The Professionals

Now that you know what your kitchen remodel needs and how much it’s going to cost you need to determine how the work is going to get done. Are you going to be doing any of the jobs on your own, or will you need professional help to get it done? A contractor may be an additional cost, but they can help the project stay on track and on budget, ensuring the project is running smoothly, and will finish on time. If you want to take the DIY approach to your kitchen remodel carefully consider the jobs you know you can do versus the jobs you have no experience doing. Choosing to paint the walls yourself could save you a lot of money, and can be a fun and rewarding project that requires little to know how to get started.

Six Questions To Ask Contractors Before You Hire Them

1. Are you and your subcontractors licensed and insured?
2. Will you responsible for obtaining any necessary permits?
3. Do you offer free quotes?
4. What would the next steps be after I hire you?
5. Will your team handle the cleanup from this project?
6. How will we communicate throughout the project?

 

Knowing what questions to ask potential contractors will ensue you are hiring the best one for your kitchen remodel. Your project will get started off of on the right foot, and should go smoothly from start to finish. It’s good practice to start a positive working relationship with your contractors from the very beginning. This also helps to manage expectations from both sides.

If you need help with the design side of the project hiring a kitchen designer can be very beneficial. They can help you plan the design, source the materials, and help give you the kitchen of your dreams. They can also come in handy with budget allocation, and suggets suitable alternatives when the material you really want is out of your reach. Problem solving is part of their job so hire them to solve your kitchen redesign problems for you.

Six Questions To Ask Kitchen Designers Before You Hire Them

1. Can I see samples of your past work?
2. Do you offer free quotes?
3. How will we communicate throughout the project?
4. What will the final approval process look like?
5. Who will be in charge of the project once we get started?
6. What would the next steps be after I hire you?

Demo The Kitchen

All your planning and preperation has paid off and now you are ready to let the project begin. If you have hired a contractor this is where their job will begin. Nevertheless, wether you begin the demo process or your contractor does there are a few things to do before the old kitchen starts to come out. First things first. You need to remove everything from your kitchen cabinets and drawers. Now is a great time to purge your kitchen off all the unused kitchen tools and accessories you no longer use or are planning on upgrading. Next you need to make sure all the gas, water and electrical lines are temporarily disconnected or turned off. Set up a large trash can or dumpster in a convient location. You will need it. Finally don’t forget to cover anything that is not getting renovated.

7 Things To Do Before Your Kitchen Demo Starts

1. Turn off water
2. Turn off gas
3. Turn off electrical from your breaker box
4. Have a dumpster ready for trash
5. Remove appliances
6. Empty cabinets
7. Place a drop cloth on floors that aren’t being renovated

Now that you know where to start when it comes to remodeling your kitchen you can now begin the fun and exciting process of making your dream kitchen a reality. Deciding on your design direction and knowing how much you have to spend goes a long way in upfront planning. Kitchen remodels can get very expensive very quickly and you don’t want to be caught of guard mid-project!