Do’s and Don’ts for Your Next Kitchen Remodel
If you love to cook, then the kitchen is the most important room in your house. Even if dinner in your home just means ordering takeout, you probably still sit around the kitchen table as a family. You thus deserve to have a dream kitchen that you and your loved ones can enjoy.
When remodeling your kitchen, there are plenty of things to consider. You have to decide where to place the appliances and what types of pantry doors to purchase. No matter what style of kitchen you create, you should remember the below do’s and don’ts.
Do Stick to Your Budget
Before you start your remodel, you need to check your bank account and determine just how big of a project you can afford. You should have a specific budget in mind before you contact your contractor.
Once you do call the contractor, be sure he or she sticks to the budget that you gave him. A gorgeous, top-of-the-line kitchen is no fun if you have to go into severe debt to pay for it.
Do Consider Flow
A kitchen is also less enjoyable if it is hard to access everything inside of it. When creating the floor plan for your new kitchen, make sure that nothing disrupts the flow between the prep station and the cooking area. Traveling within the kitchen’s work triangle, defined as the space encompassing the stove, refrigerator and sink, should also be easy.
Ideally, each path inside your kitchen should be at least three feet wide. Within the cooking space, the paths should be even larger, depending on how many chefs are typically in the kitchen at one time.
Do Include Convenient Storage
You do not want tons of plates and cups clogging up your new counters. You should thus include plenty of storage in your remodeled kitchen. Install cabinets and add a good-sized pantry. You may also want to splurge on cabinet expansions that offer even more space.
Where you put the storage is just as important as how much storage you include. For convenience, plastic Tupperware and wraps should be placed near a work surface so you can easily pack up leftovers. Similarly, bowls and coffee supplies should be kept near the breakfast table. Be sure to also store utensils near the dishwasher so you can quickly unload and load it.
Do Think About Lighting
Your kitchen needs to be well-lit so everyone can maneuver around the room easily. Put light fixtures near the most-used areas in the kitchen. You should also see if certain parts of the kitchen are hit by natural lighting from outside. You may not need to put extra lights in these places.
Don’t Forget About the Counters
Since your counters will be clear of clutter, you can use them for meal preparation. If you plan to cook in the kitchen frequently, you should give yourself as much countertop space as possible. You can add shelving supports or corbels to extend your prep area.
You can also try installing countertops with two different heights. This works well for baking and allows your kids to join in on the cooking fun.
Don’t Neglect the Backsplash
The backsplash should be a focal point of your kitchen. Do not just settle for a boring or basic color scheme. Make a statement by including multiple shades of the same hue. This will give the backsplash a more sophisticated look. Opt for a backsplash made of tile or ceramic, the latter of which is cheap, durable and easy to clean.
Don’t Save the Appliances for Last
The cabinets and countertops you select need to physically and stylistically fit with your appliances. However, finding dishwashers and refrigerators that match well with specific furniture can be difficult. It is much easier to pick the appliances first and then search for the complementary furniture.
Remodeling your kitchen should be a fun project that leaves you with a pretty and functional space .If you follow the above tips, you will enjoy your kitchen for years to come.
