Designing Kitchen Remodel – Tips Guidelines Ideas
Designing Kitchen Tips To Help You With Your Kitchen Remodel
Almost everyone wants a new kitchen but few people realize the work and inconvenience that goes into designing a kitchen remodel. A big remodel can take months and you won’t have access to the room while the work is going on. While this can be a trying time, once you have your beautiful new kitchen in place it will be well worth it!
Here are some designing kitchen tips to get you through the remodel:
* You will need to set up a temporary kitchen in another part of the house. Make sure it is a convenient location with access to water and a space to keep food cold as well as a place to heat up meals.
Sometimes portable appliances like a crock pot or electric frying pan and a small dorm fridge and microwave work well for a temporary arrangement if you will be replacing your old appliances.
* Make sure you really think about how long the job will take. Most jobs run take longer than expected. This can be frustrating for everyone, so it’s in your best interest to set a realistic date and that way you won’t be disappointed.
* Make sure you know what you are going to reuse. Whether you do some of the work yourself or hire it out make sure that it is very clear what things are going to be reused.
The cabinets countertops and flooring can become damaged during a remodel and if you are planning on reusing them this can be a huge problem and expense. Remember to be careful around these reusable items.
* Make sure you seal off the room properly so you don’t get dust and debris all over the house. If you have hired someone to do the job, they will probably know just what to do but if you are doing it yourself, invest in some plastic sheeting and make sure you secure it around the doorways as good as possible.
* Get everything out of the kitchen. Box up everything that will not be used in your temporary kitchen. Label the boxes and store them out of the way.
* Remove anything that isn’t nailed or screwed down. This includes drawers, lazy susans, spice racks, wall clocks, ornaments, etc. Place a protective cover over anything that must remain in place while you work.
* Make arrangements for the removal of any refuse that may accumulate during the remodeling. if you must rent a dumpster, do so in plenty of time or have a pickup truck on hand for hauling the rubbish to the dump.
if you plan to salvage the old cabinetry for a workshop or donation to a charitable cause, have a place ready for them to go as you take them out of your work area.
* Think safety and remember to turn off all utilities before removing any major appliances, turn off all utilities. This can be done at the individual shut off valves for gas and water. If there are no shut-off valves, you will have to turn off the main valve. The main gas valve is usually located near the gas meter.
Remember that, once you turn off the gas to the whole house, ALL pilot lights will have to be relit before they will work again. Without careful planning, you may find yourself without hot water when you’re ready to clean up after a hard day’s work.
* In older homes, the wiring may have been modified over the years and it may not be clear which circuits or fuses control specific areas. If you are unsure, turn off the main power or get professional assistance.
Never take a chance with electricity! In addition, tape over the breakers so they won’t be turned on inadvertently. If you plan on upgrading your electrical system and adding new outlets and fixtures, it will be necessary to dismantle all existing outlets and fixtures.
* Remove all light bulbs. Then, dismantle each fixture by using a screwdriver to unscrew the plate and the receptacle and pull the receptacle out of the box. Put wire nuts on any exposed wires for the interim. The bare copper wire is the ground and does not need to be capped.
Remodel Kitchen On A Tight Budget
Kitchen Decorating Ideas
Redecorating your kitchen can be as simple as changing the cabinet hardware or painting the walls. Maybe you want to go with a certain theme and you might be able to give your kitchen a whole new look just by replacing some key accessories.
One little change can make your kitchen look brand new. Our idealist below will give you some general ideas on what kinds of easy changes you can make on a limited budget.
Change the curtains; this one little change can make a big difference.
Add a throw rug; a complimentary rug can bring a room together.
Add some greenery; silk plants and flowers strategically placed can add elegance to your kitchen.
Change your cabinet pulls and knobs; your friends will think you got new cabinets!
Add a border; wallpaper borders are easy to put up and can add color and interest.
Spend your makeover dollars on practical, clean-lined cabinets, good quality basic appliances, and conveniences like a built-in recycling center. Be careful not to spend too little on the kitchen.
Remember resale. Quality counts with homebuyers, and a shoddy new kitchen is no better than a dingy old one. It will be money well spent and you should be able to recoup your investment.
Consider working a walk-in pantry into your plan. It’s a remarkably economical way to upgrade your kitchen and save a lot, a pantry can supply as much storage as a wall or more of custom built-ins.
Sometimes a well-planned lighting scheme is all it takes to brighten a kitchen. Spend the bucks for the services of a professional planner or lighting designer.
That plus simple cosmetic upgrades, such as a fresh paint job, new cabinet hardware, upgraded counters or flooring, and a couple of new appliances can totally transform the space. Save untold thousands by sticking to the original layout.
Just think, with a little time and effort, you could have the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
See also kitchen cabinet makeovers
Kitchen Design Software Saves Time and Money
Designing the perfect kitchen can be a challenge but by using good kitchen design software can really help you eliminate the tedious design aspect of using pen and paper. these software programs design rooms, remodel kitchens, plan landscaping and more.
With these software programs, you will able to not only play with the layout of the kitchen but you can see how it looks with different lighting, you can add and change colors and you can add in furniture as well.
Perhaps the best feature is that they include catalog products from designers and manufacturers that you know so you can choose these and include them in the design and if they look great then you can go out and buy the actual products.
How To Create A Designer Kitchen
Have you ever wondered how the pros create a designer kitchen? Here are some simple guidelines for creating your designer kitchen.
How do you create an attention-grabbing, designer kitchen on a reasonable budget? How do builders and remodelers design kitchens that sizzle? They’ve figured out the secret to creating kitchens that sell. They hire a kitchen designer! So, if builders think kitchen design is a smart idea, do you think it might be worth the investment?
A remodeled kitchen can easily cost $25,000 – $50,000 or more. If you are going to make a sizeable investment upgrading your kitchen, you may want to allocate a portion of your budget to kitchen design. Why? Because a good designer comes up with great ideas.
You pay for a trained eye to see what you can’t see. A good designer suggests design elements that won’t blow the budget. They know which details are relatively inexpensive, but add significant “punch” to your project.
Once you’ve budgeted money for design (generally 3-5%), now what do you do? Well, before looking for a kitchen designer, start thinking about what want in your kitchen. A kitchen designer will ask you what you have in mind so they can narrow the focus of your design.
Is there a specific appliance that you want to make the focal point of your kitchen? Do you like exotic wood cabinets? Or do you just want a kitchen where everything coordinates and flows together?
Before you contact a kitchen designer, you may also want to visit a kitchen appliance dealer. A designer vent hood or an oversized range can serve as a great focal point for your new kitchen.
Then you may want to start looking in design magazines, a great source for design ideas. Find the kitchen or the design elements you like in a magazine and simply replicate those ideas that appeal to you. Finally, after you’ve gathered some general ideas of what you want in your kitchen, start looking for a kitchen designer.
Where do you find a good kitchen designer? And once you’ve settled on a designer and come up with a design, how do you know what your design will cost to build? How do you avoid designing a kitchen you can’t afford? Wouldn’t it be helpful if you had some guidance throughout the design process to determine construction costs?
That’s where a “design-build” firm can help. Design-build remodelers offer both design and construction services. When working with a design-build contractor, the designer creates the beauty (the floor plan, the cabinet elevations, the finished material selections, etc.) and the contractor creates the estimate.
There’s no more guesswork. When you hire a design-build contractor you know exactly what the design will cost.
There are a number of professional remodelers offering design services. Some design-build remodelers provide in-house design services. Other contractors outsource design to a kitchen designer, business partners. The best design-build contractors couple top design talent with professional construction services.
So how do you create a designer kitchen? Since they appreciate the value of good design, you may want to start by looking for a good design-build contractor.
Check their work, check their trade associations, look at their project pictures and talk to their designers. A reputable design-build remodeler can be a valuable partner for creating your new designer kitchen.
Trust me this is one job you don’t want to undertake. A kitchen remodel is one of the most costly, complicated, and time-consuming projects imaginable, and the input of qualified professionals can be very valuable.
Before Designing a New Kitchen – Important Things to Consider
If you’re ready to design a kitchen but don’t know where to start, here are some important guidelines for your kitchen design project:
* For efficiency, the work triangle (the space between the sink, refrigerator, and stove) should measure 26′ or less with no single side longer than 9′, or less than 4′.
* In kitchens smaller than 150 SQ. ft., opt for at least 13′ of base cabinets, 12′ of wall cabinets, and 11′ of a countertop. In kitchens which are larger, go with at least 16′ of base cabinets, 15 1/2′ of wall cabinets, and 16 1/2′ of a countertop.
* For convenience, plan work aisles to be at least 42″ wide for one cook, and at least 48″ wide in multi-cook kitchens.
* Specify a minimum of 24″ of counter space on one side of the sink and at least 18″ on the other.
* To create the most accessible landing for unloading groceries, allow at least 15″ of counter space on the handle side of a standard refrigerator; on both sides if it’s a side-by-side model. Or include a landing area directly across from the refrigerator, but no more than 48″ away.
* For cleanup ease, install the dishwasher within 36″ of one edge of the sink and allow for at least 21″ of the standing room next to it.
* For microwaves and ovens, provide at least 15 ” of counter space nearby, at least 16″ deep.
* For optimum clearance, no entry, appliance, or cabinet doors should interfere with another.
* For the comfort and to help avoid repetitive-motion injury, plan for work counters of different heights; between 28 and 36″ off the floor (easier for chopping and seated-use access), and between 36 and 46″ for general tasks (higher counters accommodate taller cooks).
*To install a cabinet unit above the cooktop, make sure the clearance is at least 24″ on a fireproof surface, 30″ for an unprotected surface.
Designing a kitchen is as much a science as it is an art. Knowing the recommended measurements to use when planning the project can make all the difference in the final outcome.
Consider Professional designers
Taking on a kitchen design project to save money is a common mistake; it can actually waste more money, time and energy. Professional designers have the latest ideas and information, and they can help you identify your needs and translate them into an efficient plan that fits your taste and budget.
