About Kitchen Remodeling

Families spend a great deal of time in the kitchen, not only eating meals, but also talking, playing games, and doing home and office work. In most homes, the activities of the entire household revolve around the kitchen. This is why the layout and design of the kitchen is so important.

Feel

Because there are so many different ways that a kitchen can be designed, it is important for you to first do your homework. Take books out of the library, read articles online, visit the homes of friends and family members who recently have redecorated their kitchens, and look at the layout of kitchens in stores that sell kitchen decor. At the same time, you have to seriously think about the lifestyle of your family and what is most important. How much time do you spend with formal entertaining? Do you eat in your kitchen, dining room or attached alcove? Do you like open areas where dishes and other items are visible or everything neatly out of place behind cupboards? Is your house mostly formal or informal in its look and feel?

Budget

Now sit down and plan your budget and how much you will be able to spend for the entire project, including an extra slush fund for unexpected expenses. What can you do yourself, versus what has to be done by an electrician or carpenter? Gather your ideas from your homework stage and make a list of priorities from what is most important to you, such as a pantry, to least important, such as a granite counter top. Kitchens can be very expensive, so you will most likely have to compromise. For example, you may be willing to cut back on the price of flooring in order to get the bay window by the kitchen table. Also give thought to how long you will be in the house. If you are moving in a few years, set a smaller budget than if you plan on staying for the long-term.

Layout

The layout of the kitchen is very important, and different designers and chefs make recommendations on where they feel is the best place to put the the different appliances. However, each person flows differently while cooking. The next time you cook a meal, write down the way you move from one place to another and what you like and do not like about the layout of your present kitchen. Then, based on your decisions, either draw a new layout or get one of the pre-made layout forms.

Color

Color is a characteristic that will greatly impact the look and feel of your kitchen. You need to decide if you like the natural brown hues of original wood cabinets and flooring or a brighter room with wood painted in blues, yellows or bright whites and tile or linoleum floors. If you are bold, you will like high-contrast colors. If you are more traditional, stay with the lighter and more natural colors. Most important, go with the look you like, since it sets the mood of the whole room and even the entire house.

Appliances

Once you choose your layout and color scheme, you will have a better idea which color and design of appliances will look best. When you go to the store to buy your appliances, bring along the colors of the room to see how it all fits together. Go with stainless steel or add color, such as burgundy or even blue.