Kitchen Design : 10 Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes

Kitchen Design : 10 Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes

by: Bob Williams
Dreaming of a new kitchen? In order to make your dreams a reality, consider ten common mistakes to avoid in designing and remodeling your kitchen to save you time, money and aggravation.

Over-customizing and inflexibility

Unless you have money to spare, remain flexible regarding materials and design for your new kitchen. For example, you're vacationing in southern Italy and the beautiful tiles you find in the craftsman's shop are perfect for your new dream kitchen. You can't live without them, even though he has to chip the marble off the mountain by hand and each one takes three weeks to make, because they have fossilized leaves imprinted in them.

If you need two hundred tiles, stop dreaming and do the arithmetic. Three weeks, each one, two hundred tiles. Forget it. Buy everything he has on the shelf and leave the store. Use the fifteen you bring home in your suitcase as accents imbedded in the floor here and there, or in the tiling around the sink and keep them a beautiful memory.

Likewise, the German track lighting with special light bulbs which cast a delicate hue of light. Those light bulbs are so special and unique that they are only available in Germany!

Avoid difficult and over specialized items so that repairs and replacements don't turn into logistical nightmares. All appliances, plumbing, electricity, and carpentry should repairable with no more then a few local phone calls.

Changing the Plans

Once work has begun, any change will cost you money even if materials are downgraded. This is because measurements have been calculated and materials ordered. Even a small change such as a two inch longer built in convection oven could mean that the hand cut granite counter which is already installed and ready, has to be pared down on one side which means you lose a customized finish.

Be warned by the plight of those who changed so much in quest of the perfect kitchen that they abandoned their budget in the middle and ended up without the funds to finish. Living for years with an unfinished kitchen is not a very appealing option.

Spending It All At Once - Over-Budgeting

Set a budget, then plan on spending 80% of your projected figure. Remember, no one ever pays less than the estimated amount; it always costs more. That 20% you held back from your budget will be used to cover the usual unforeseen circumstances which inevitably pop up such as minor changes, previously unperceived problems and other charges.

ImproveNet offers interactive estimators and project calculators to help you estimate how much your project will cost, how much material you'll need, and what it could look like. http://www.improvenet.com/HomeOwner/ProjectTools/index.html

Using the Wrong General Contractor

The contractor you choose should be an expert in kitchens, not roofs. Talk to people that have used a contractor you are considering within the last three months. Ask to see the work they did. Ask the right questions: Was he within his estimate? Did he finish on time? Did they keep the job clean and did they tidy up nicely afterwards? Were his workers polite, neat, clean, and on time? Are there any complaints? A little time spent on researching your contractor can save you a lot of headaches later.

Inaccuracies in Measurement

This shouldn't be your problem at all, but frequently this common mistake is passed on to the customer's wallet. Before you sign a contract, insist that the contractor take responsibility for any inaccuracies in measurement or factory flaws which often occur. Don't settle for almost fits or good enough. They have to promise and deliver a finished result according to the specifications that were agreed on.

Throwing Dollars Out the Window

Don't pay for a renovation in advance. Establish a payment plan with the majority of the balance paid after the work is completed. Evaluating the work as it progresses and testing the finished product is a great incentive for the contractor to please the customer.

Handing Over the Design of Your Kitchen to a Designer

Your new kitchen should reflect your taste, not the designers. Yes, the pink and yellow appliances are very stylish, and happy but maybe stainless steel or white is what you prefer. You are the best judge. Don't let anyone convince you that what they want is what you need. Work with your designer to achieve the practical tasteful space that fits your needs and lifestyle. Ask to see a virtual model of the plans and stay involved throughout the design process.

Going It Alone

Ask your friends and neighbors about their renovations - what they like, what they don't like. Solicit opinions from people you trust before and during the job. Ask the members of your family for ideas and suggestions about how to best utilize the workable space.

Investing Too Much

Yes it is your dream kitchen but practically speaking, even the most expensive kitchen renovations should not cost more than 20% of the current market value of your home. The average kitchen renovation adds only about 8% to market value. If you ever want to sell your home, an appealing kitchen is a big plus, but don't throw all your money into it expecting an investment return.

And on the other hand, most experts agree that kitchen renovation done well is worth at least 5% of the value of your home. Under-spending may reflect in market value.

Indulging The Latest Fads

Resist the temptation to choose trendy designs which will make you queasy after you get over the pizzazz. Remember your kitchen is the heart of your home. Make wise choices with an eye on livability. The best strategy is practical, classic, timeless. We've all seen kitchens designed in the latest fashion. Nothing becomes as outmoded as yesterday's modern look. Avocado green cabinets anyone? Mosaic daisies tiled into the walls? Also try to resist flamboyant displays of self expression. In the end, you will live happily ever after!

About The Author
Bob Williams
UncleBobsTips.com provides timely advice for common home improvement projects. These practical tips will give you the knowledge you need to save time and money. http://www.unclebobstips.com/

Kitchen Design : Creating a Modern Kitchen Design During Cabinet Refacing

Kitchen Design : Creating a Modern Kitchen Design During Cabinet Refacing

by: Allison Beatty
If you’ve dreamed of a smooth, uncluttered look for your kitchen design, it’s time to put that dream into action. There are many ways to incorporate this kitchen style during a cabinet refacing project.

Check Overall Kitchen Design

To create a contemporary kitchen, all or most of the major elements of your kitchen design should adhere to that style. While many people create eclectic mixes of contemporary and traditional styling, that approach will not work if the goal is a true contemporary kitchen design. Instead look for contemporary styles of the following elements:

* Kitchen cabinets.
* Countertop.
* Kitchen appliances.
* Kitchen flooring.
* Wall tile.
* Cabinet hardware.

Kitchen Cabinets Set the Tone

The kitchen cabinet style you select will go a long way toward creating a contemporary kitchen design. When planning a cabinet refacing, look for cabinet doors and drawers with:

* Flat fronts and limited detailing.
* No crown molding.
* Sleek materials, such as laminate.

Spice Up Kitchen Design With Modern Appliances

Nothing says contemporary like stainless steel appliances. Look for a sleek side-by-side refrigerator and commercial range to blend with your refaced cabinets. Also look for:

* Thin stainless steel appliance door handles.
* Limited detailing on appliance doors and knobs.
* Shiny stainless steel appliances -- not more subtle matte finishes.

Contemporary Kitchen Countertop Styles

Many contemporary kitchen designs feature edgy countertop surfaces, such as:

* Stainless steel – to blend with stainless steel appliances. Carry the metal look on the backsplash for a dramatic look.
* Concrete – this rough, hard surface has an urban look. Look for natural, honed concrete or a painted surface for an added touch.
* Granite countertops – a perennial favorite in many kitchen designs. Try sharp black for a contemporary look.

Kitchen Cabinet Hardware is Finishing Touch

The cabinet knobs and pulls you select should add the finishing touch to your contemporary kitchen design. Try adding styles that have minimal detailing and a sleek, edgy look. Among the options are stainless steel, thin pulls and crisp, round knobs in aluminum.

When planning a cabinet refacing project, look for ways to change your kitchen design. If you’ve always wanted a dramatic, contemporary kitchen design, look for ways to incorporate the style into your new kitchen design.

About The Author
Allison E. Beatty is a syndicated real estate writer who has been writing home improvement columns for 15 years. Read more about kitchen design at http://www.kitchenandcabinets.com

Kitchen Island Design

By Jason Albright
Kitchen islands have been part of kitchen design since the medieval times, where cooks used a large worktable to do preparation work for making meals. Having a custom kitchen island in your home will make your kitchen more functional and comfortable. When you choose a kitchen island, you’ll need to pick a design and size that are appropriate for your kitchen space and your needs.

Kitchen islands serve several purposes in the home. While they, of course, function as a good place for doing prep work, kitchen islands also make a good gathering area for friends and family. A kitchen island can even serve as additional eating space.

If you are planning your own custom kitchen island, there are a few considerations that you need to address. Keep in mind that kitchen islands work best in larger kitchens that have an L, U, or G layout shape. Using a kitchen island in a kitchen that is too small is a sure way to make the kitchen a terrible place to be. Small to medium sized kitchens can benefit from the use of kitchen cart for extra workspace, rather than a full-sized kitchen island.

Kitchen islands with a cook top need to include a ventilation hood to reduce smoke and cooking odors. A range hood should extend at least three inches beyond the cook top on each side so it can properly remove all smoke. Besides a cook top, another popular choice for kitchen island additions is a second sink. You should choose a kitchen island sink that is deep enough to wash large pots and pans. It should also include a garbage disposal so it can be used as a prep sink for vegetables and fruits.

Countertop materials for your kitchen island should coordinate with the rest of your kitchen, but it doesn’t have to match exactly. Countertops of butcher block, granite and marble are all popular selections for kitchen islands.

© Cookgroup Marketing LLC – All Rights Reserved. This article brought to you by http://For-Your-Kitchen.com/kitchenislanddesign/. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice, author name, and URL remain intact.

Jason Albright is a contributing editor at Cookgroup Marketing LLC. His background is with lifestyle topics including: Gardening, Outdoor Living, Home Decor, Travel Destinations and Food and Wine.

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Kitchen Remodeling Designs

By Damian Sofsian
Remodeling your kitchen can be a very fun and exciting endeavor. Though it may require long hours of labor and a lot of money, there is nothing better than looking at the final product once all the hard work is finished. But before you even start thinking of remodeling your kitchen, make sure that you already have a kitchen design in mind. Here are some of the classic designs that you can consider when remodeling your kitchen.

The contemporary design

If you personally adhere to minimalism and functionality, then the contemporary design is the best thing for your kitchen. Basically, a contemporary kitchen design gives you the freedom to choose any color you want for your kitchen because it has no strict requirements on how it should look like. A contemporary design allows you to experiment with materials and colors so that you can give your kitchen a more authentic and personal touch.

The European design

No other design presents perfection like the European kitchen design. This design presents the beauty of craftsmanship in its elegant wood carvings in the kitchen furniture. Functionality also plays a big role in this design. The European design allows you to optimize the potentials of smaller spaces without compromising the aesthetic value and function of the room.

The French country design

This design can bring your kitchen to a different level. A French country design gives your kitchen an elegant and soothing feel to it. This design gives value to functionality as well. The best way to give your kitchen the rustic French country feel is by using the colors you find in Monet paintings. These colors should be light and soothing. Wood is an important aspect of French country design. Use wooden furniture and cabinets in your kitchen to emphasize the country feel. To have the full effect of this kitchen design, try hanging copper pots from a wrought-iron rack that is suspended from the ceiling of your kitchen.

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Make the Most of Your Kitchen Redesign

By Craig Rowe
Your family spends considerable time in your kitchen and you want to make the most of that time together. A kitchen redesign can help you do that, but how can you ensure the new layout of your kitchen is one that is functional, inviting and livable? These tips can help you make the most of your kitchen redesign project.

1. Start online with a kitchen cabinet provider that offers a kitchen design tool. This tool will allow you to preplan your kitchen layout and see exactly what the finished room will look like before you shell out major dollars on a design that doesn’t work for you. If something doesn’t appeal to you, try again. Kitchen redesigning is as simple as a few computer mouse clicks.

2. Consider what other activities will take place in your kitchen besides meal preparation and eating? Will your kids be using it to do their homework while you cook? If so, a center island might enhance the bonding experience.

3. Do you need extra kitchen storage space? Then consider a built-in pantry with rollout shelves, a drawer base cabinet, oven cabinets and lazy susans

4. Evaluate your personal style and build it in to your kitchen redesign. Are you a fine china collector? Then opt of glass-paned cabinet doors to show off your collection. Decorative touches like crown mouldings and cabinet finishes also reflect your interior design personality.

A kitchen redesign is an expensive proposition, but it’s also an investment in your home and family togetherness. Make those dollars count. With a little planning and ingenuity, you can make your kitchen redesign project one that you and your family be pleased with and proud of for years to come.
Mill's Pride offers a variety of cabinetry units in a selection of different styles and finished. These affordable cabinets will make your kitchen look great, work smart and last for years. Visit Mill’s Pride http://www.millspride.com

Mill’s Pride offers a free kitchen design tool at http://www.millspride.com/getstarted/kitchentoolintro.cfm

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Creating a Contemporary Design Style Kitchen

By Nicole Brown
When thinking of a contemporary design style kitchen , many think of clean lines, less decoration and color, and the use of materials like chrome, glass, and stone. However, now the contemporary kitchen has taken a slight turn, with updated versions of traditional fixtures and the use of warmer shades of white and beige. Below are a few tips to help you transform your kitchen to a stunning contemporary masterpiece.

1.When selecting your cabinets for your contemporary kitchen, chose a frameless door with a wood finish. This will give your cabinets more of a clean and contemporary look.

2.Don’t be afraid to mix materials or finishes, such as wood and metal. This will give your kitchen a sleek appearance.

3.To give your walls a new look, paint them a neutral color and apply a glazed or textured finish. The glazed or textured finish will have a great impact on the look and feel of your new space.

4.Replace your kitchen’s lighting with metal light fixtures. Chrome, nickel, and pewter would work well.

5.When selecting furnishings for your kitchen choose items that are straight with no turnings or ornamentation. Having clean lines is the key to giving your kitchen that contemporary look.

Have fun transforming your kitchen into a new contemporary style. These tips are sure to get you moving in the right direction of creating your dream kitchen. With a few changes you can have that new look you desire. Remember this is your space, so be sure to incorporate elements that you love and that represent your personality.
Nicole Brown- Nicole Brown is a writer and a retailer of home décor, gifts, and accessories. For beautiful home decor, please visit http://www.homedecorgalleryandmore.ecrater.com For home decorating tips visit http://www.homedecorgalleryandmore.blogspot.com

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Your Kitchen's Design

By Jason Albright
One of the centerpieces of the home is the kitchen. It makes sense that one of the most thriving and popular sectors of home design is kitchen design. Nothing is more important in a home than a well-planned, well-equipped kitchen. Kitchen design has definitely evolved over the years, and as a result, homeowners now have a wide variety of options. Modern kitchen design focuses on achieving a balance of functionality and beauty.

The first task of kitchen design is to establish a smooth transition between portions of the kitchen. Kitchen design must address the fact that, unlike most other rooms in the house, the kitchen is primarily a workspace. Most kitchens have a natural workflow to them, with adequate space between the prep areas, cooking area the clean up area. Good kitchen design addresses this and allows the users of the kitchen to quickly move between those three areas. There should be adequate walking space in the kitchen to avoid crowding, which should be another consideration in kitchen design.

Modern kitchen design also focuses on state of the art appliances. Today there are more varieties of appliance choices, and recent innovations like convection ovens are making kitchen design more high tech. Appliances come in finishes like stainless steel to make modern kitchen designs look sleek and sophisticated. To give the kitchen an integrated look and feel, it is best to choose appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves from the same manufacturer and in the same color.

Kitchen design also involves choosing the color and theme for the kitchen. Color choices can make a dramatic, understated, or calming statement, depending on which color is used. In kitchen design, it is appropriate to coordinate the colors of the tiles and floors with the cabinetry, furniture, and appliances. This makes the kitchen feel unified. There are many kitchen design books available that give wonderful ideas for kitchen design combinations.

© Cookgroup Marketing LLC - All Rights Reserved. This article brought to you by For-Your-Kitchen.com/ . You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice, author name, and URL remain intact. Jason Albright is a contributing editor at Cookgroup Marketing LLC. His background is with lifestyle topics including: Gardening, Outdoor Living, Home Decor & Travel Destinations.

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Contemporary Kitchen Designs

By Damian Sofsian
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. This is the place where you prepare your meal, as well as a room where many people eat, as well. For those who love to cook, a clean and orderly kitchen is important because it is the place for food handling, therefore every surface area should be spotless and germ-free. Aside from the importance of cleanliness, it is also essential for a kitchen to be fully equipped. It is more inspiring, not to mention convenient, to cook and bake if you have all the kitchen gadgets and equipment you need.

The kitchen's layout design also needs to make for a good ambiance. Most people want their kitchens to have a rustic, country feel to it. Others want a replica of a heavy-duty five-star-hotel kitchen. However, many homeowners prefer to have a contemporary design in their kitchen. The contemporary design gives you a sleek look. Its minimalist design allows you more room in the kitchen and to experiment with the extra space you have. It usually uses bright colors and simple geometric figures to get that feel of functionality and practicality.

One of the advantages in choosing a contemporary design for your kitchen is that you will have a large selection of colors and materials that you can use. The most popular material used in contemporary kitchens is stainless steel. You can install a stainless sink, stainless countertops, and a stainless oven to get a completely contemporary look. It is important to have large windows in your kitchen so that the light that comes in can give you that bright and clean feel to your kitchen.

But no matter what color and material you decide to use for your kitchen, it is important that you aim for simplicity and functionality because those are the basics of contemporary design. This will give your kitchen a sense of openness and efficiency.

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The 39 Essential Guidelines Of Kitchen Design

by Kevin Sorby

1. Your kitchen should not be a main thoroughfare to the rest of your home. This means traffic should not cross the work triangle.

2. The total length of the work triangle (the cumulative distance between the cooktop / fridge / sink) should not exceed 7000mm (23′). The ideal length of the work triangle lies between 4000mm (13′) and 6000mm (19′).

3. The minimum opening between cabinets in a doorway should be 800mm (31 1/2″).

4. Appliance doors or entry doors should not interfere with the work centres.

5. You should not place a full height cabinet or appliance between any two of the major work centres.

6. A minimum of 1000mm (39″) of floor space between countertops is recommended (1200mm or 47″ is preferred). 900mm (36″) would be the minimum distance between a run of cabinets and a kitchen island in a one cook kitchen.

7. If there are two cooks in the kitchen a minimum of 1200mm (47″) is required for one person to edge past the other by turning and passing with bodies parallel.

8. For two people to pass with ease, a 1500mm (59″) between countertops is required.

9. The sink should be in the centre of the work triangle is it is the most used area in the kitchen.

10. At least 300mm (12″) of counter space should be allowed from the edge of the sink to the inside corner of the counter top.

11. The sink area should have counter space either side of it. The total workspace should be a minimum of 1050mm (41″).

12. When placing a dishwasher near a corner, allow at least a 500mm (20″) space from the corner for ease of access.

13. You must allow standing space in front of the dishwasher for unloading.

14. The cooktop should be placed at least 300mm (12″) from a window for safety.

15. The minimum landing space either side of a cooktop is 300mm (12″).

16. At least 300mm (12″) of counter space should be allowed from the edge of the cooking surface to the inside corner of the counter top.

17. Extraction of air is required at cooking surfaces.

18. A minimum 400mm (16″) setdown space is required beside an oven. If this is not possible then a benchtop within 1200mm (47″) of the oven is OK. (except where this crosses a major walkway)

19. The same goes for microwaves, 400mm (16″) setdown space beside the microwave.

20. Try and keep the microwave within the most active part of the kitchen.

21. The height of the microwave (base) above the floor should be between 900 (36″) and 1250mm (49″).

22. A minimum of 400mm (16″) landing space is required on the door opening side of a fridge. If this is not possible then a benchtop within 1200mm (47″) of the fridge is OK. (except where this crosses a major walkway)

23. Consideration to the location of services requires careful planning. To prevent appliances (i.e dishwashers etc) projecting past the countertop you must place the services in a cabinet beside the appliance.

24. Smoke detectors should be installed in the appropriate location for the type used.

25. Consider installing a fire extinguisher and fire blanket which is easily accessible in the kitchen.

26. The preparation area should be a minimum of 900mm (36″) in width.

27. Likewise, the serving area should be a minimum of 900mm (36″) width.

28. If there are two cooks and you dont have 2 separate 900mm (36″) wide preparation areas, a consolidated area of 1500mm (59″) wide is good.

29. Store regularly used items between eye and hip level.

30. 1800mm (71″) from the floor is considered to be the maximum safe storage height.

31. You should consider items to be stored at the first or last place of use. Heavy equipment should be stored near floor level.

32. When considering the countertop height, it should be designed for the cook to work without raising the hand above the elbow.

33. The minimum chair pullout distance from the table to the wall is 600mm.

34. A minimum of 900mm (36″) in depth allows another to person to edge behind a seated diner.

35. A minimum of 1100mm (43″) in depth provides walking space behind a seated diner.

36. Always comply with manufacturers installation instructions for appliances.

37. All kitchen designs should comply with national kitchen standards.

38. When working out natural lighting for the kitchen a good rule of thumb is no less than 10% of the kitchen floor area.

39. Natural ventilation should be provided by windows, doors or other devices that can be opened and closed. Allow for a minimum of 5% of the total floor area.

So there you are. Print this list out and use it conjunction with your own kitchen design layout. These guidelines are not set in concrete and you can vary the distances but they should be considered minimum workable distances.

You can find more helpful kitchen design ideas at my kitchen design blog http://renomart.com.au where you will find kitchen remodeling tips, advice and resources including information on kitchen design software.

By James Mahoney

Kitchens have evolved a lot over the years. Once found only in the rear of the house, today's kitchen design takes the kitchen out the background. The challenge for kitchen design is in creating a more open-faced kitchen, that is part of a dining area, a family room or a great room.

In deciding on how to design your kitchen, you must take into consideration such things as: will your kitchen have an island? Will it be of a modern or traditional design? What kinds of appliances will you need for your new kitchen design? What kind of lighting design?

1. Kitchen as 'Great Room'

Whether you are redesigning an existing kitchen or planning a new kitchen in a new home there are some design considerations to keep in mind, such as including in an island or peninsula as part of the kitchen design. These can be used to connect the kitchen to a nearby dining area or family room thereby creating a 'great room'. A kitchen island or peninsula will allow the cook to keep in visual and conversational contact with family members or guests in the adjoining family or dining room.

2. Create a Kitchen Canopy

To give the kitchen some visible borders without blocking views create a kitchen canopy. Also a high ceiling in the kitchen can create the perception of spaciousness.

3. Using Kitchen Cabinet Color to Set Tone of Kitchen Design

Kitchen cabinets will help set the tone for the whole room. The choice of wood will influence the overall look of your cabinets. To create a light look, use a light wood such as ash, beech, birch, oak, maple, or chestnut. For medium range, select cherry. To darker kitchens, choose wood that has some color to it.

4. Plan Out Use of Cabinets and Drawers in The New Kitchen Design

Plan out in the kitchen design blueprint just how your cabinets and drawers will be used and how much space and storage you will need before you start your new kitchen design. The first thing to examine is the counter surface area. Look at where you put everything in your existing kitchen and where in your new kitchen design will these things will go in the new space. Will there be more than one person cooking at a time. If so, will there be enough room for two cooks in the kitchen to work together?

5. Use The Galley-Type Kitchen Design

As for counter arrangements, many kitchen designers agree the galley-type design to be the best in terms of efficiency with it's single aisle and counters to either side, making it easy to turn around to go from sink to cooking range.

6. Under-Cabinet Kitchen Lighting

Kitchen lighting can be an overlooked area of kitchen design. Even if the kitchen has generally good lighting, the counter areas can be somewhat dark. For these areas under-cabinet lighting can help provide more light to work in. By using simple spots or fluorescent lights a smaller kitchen can be made to look larger.

7. Looking at Countertops

Granite, marble, and limestone are all popular natural materials for use in countertops are available in many colors. Ceramic tile kitchen countertops are versatile, practical, and also available in many colors, as well as many shapes, patterns, and finishes. Solid surface countertops provide seamless acrylic faces. Solid surfaces also come in almost limitless colors, patterns, and styles, and are stain and heat resistant. Laminate countertops are more affordable but not built to last. Concrete countertops are known for versatility, as well as strength. Wood countertops are long lasting and easy to clean and repair but the wood will not withstand exposure to water and household chemicals. Stainless steel countertops lack the elegance of granite or tile. These countertops do not absorb stains, but tends to scratch easily.

About the Author:
James Mahoney is the author of many kitchen design articles and has a site about kitchen design ideas at Kitchen Designers Ideas.com He also publishes a newsletter on kitchen design.

Kitchen Design

By Damian Sofsian
A home is never complete without a kitchen, and nothing is more important than a well-kept, fully equipped and strategically designed kitchen cook delicious meals and let a family sit and share their day’s activities. The elaborate designs and modern kitchen utensils and appliances show us how much the kitchen environment has evolved throughout the years. Modern kitchen these days do not look anything like how we used to see in our grandmothers home.

The design of a kitchen, the settings and the appliances vary from one person or family to another. The design will depend on how large the family is, the size of the kitchen, the lifestyle of the family and how much time is spent in the kitchen. Another important thing to consider when designing your kitchen is how much walking or moving space is needed.

Gone are the days when all that mattered about a kitchen was whether a decent meal could be prepared. Today’s modern kitchen demands everything be in sync and up to date. The kitchen floor tiles and color need to match those of the cabinets and other built-ins. The colors of the kitchen cabinets need to match the furniture, and all appliances should preferably be of same color, or at least of the same look and feel, so that they will look as ‘one’.

All appliances and built-ins should be given due consideration before purchasing. These include cabinets, walls, refrigerators, hoods and vents, countertops, ovens, sinks and faucets, ranges, dishwashers and other accessories. Kitchen cabinets and fittings can either be custom-made, or you can get one of those that are readily available in the market where they bring it in and fix it in your kitchen.
Kitchen Designs provides detailed information on Kitchen Design, Kitchen Cabinet Design, Kitchen Design Ideas, Kitchen Design Software and more. Kitchen Designs is affiliated with Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas.

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The Best Kept Secrets In Kitchen Designs

by: Guy Morris
It has often been said that the heart of the home is the kitchen. If that is really true, then why is it that some kitchen designs just don’t seem to support more than one cook or guest at a time? You can turn your kitchen into a functional and beautiful workspace and gathering place for the entire family. Even if you have limited square footage, there just may be more room for expansion, storage, and oh yeah, cooking in your kitchen than you think.

Counters & Cabinets

Storage is definitely a consideration in designing a functional kitchen. If you are limited by floor space, just look up. There is often a great deal of space between the counter tops and ceiling that just isn’t being used in a kitchen. Look at the space above the refrigerator. Is yours just collecting dust or take out menus? If so, add a cabinet and you’ve got a great place to store seldom used platters or treats you want to keep hidden from the children.

Kitchen cabinets also don’t have to be limited to one side of the countertop. If your kitchen design has a peninsula or island, you can use the ends and back side for more cabinet storage space.

Kitchen cabinets come in more styles and finishes that you can imagine. However, if your budget is limited then you don’t need to replace them for an entirely new look. Cabinet refacing lets you select cabinet patterns that are up to date and beautiful.

New countertops don’t always need to be included in this home improvement project either. Laminate countertops come with repair strips that will give new life to a worn surface.

Laying Out Completely New Kitchen Designs

If your budget calls for a complete renovation, then now is the time to really think about layouts and maybe calling in some specialist. The basic theory is that there should be no more than 2 steps between work stations. That means you should be able to go from the sink to stove in 2 steps; from the range to the refrigerator in 2 steps and so on. However, with today’s extra large sized kitchens that’s not the case any more. You still should choose layouts that consider how much time it takes to accomplish the normal tasks of putting dishes away from the dishwasher or getting foods from the refrigerator to the stove.

The newest gadgets in these mega kitchens make timesaving and energy efficiency into an art form. There are refrigerator drawers right next to the range and microwaves that brew your coffee while making your toast!

Fixtures and Furniture

The finishing touches are what make kitchen designs more inviting than ever. The furnishings, light fixtures and even the cabinet hardware can make kitchens into real living rooms. Look for task lighting that can highlight work spaces and then radiant lighting for atmosphere. You can even turn the legs of old furniture or newel posts into bases for centre islands to make you kitchen furnishings blend with the rest of the house. Get creative and enjoy doing much more than cooking in your new kitchen.

About The Author

Guy Morris is author and designer of the website http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com. He is featuring kitchen cabinets and articles on kitchen designs http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/kitchen-designs.html.

10 Important Things to Consider Before Designing a New Kitchen

by: Harvey Juric
Here are 10 important guidelines for your kitchen design project.

1. 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’.

2. In kitchens smaller than 150 sq. ft., opt for at least 13’ of base cabinets, 12’ of wall cabinets, and 11’ of 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 countertop.

3. For convenience, plan work aisles to be at least 42” wide for one cook, and at least 48” wide in multi-cook kitchens.

4. Specify a minimum of 24” of counter space on one side of the sink and at least 18” on the other.

5. 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.

6. For cleanup ease, install the dishwasher within 36” of one edge of the sink and allow for at least 21” of standing room next to it.

7. For microwaves and ovens, provide at least 15 “ of counter space nearby, at least 16” deep.

8. For optimum clearance, no entry, appliance, or cabinet doors should interfere with another.

9. For 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).

10. To install a cabinet unit above the cook top, make sure the clearance is at least 24” for 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.

About The Author

Harvey Juric, ICF Consultant and CEO of ICFhome.ca is a custom home builder in southern Ontario. He has been in the home construction industry for the past 30 years performing a wide variety of tasks related to the building trades. As one of the pioneers of the Insulated Concrete Form industry, he formed ICFhome.ca to take advantage of, at that time, emerging new construction techniques that promised stronger and better and more energy efficient homes. For more information about the model home, Insulated Concrete Forms or Radiant Floor Heating contact ICFhome.ca by telephone 519 843-7612, e-mail info@icfhome.ca, or visit their web site at: http://www.ontario-home-builder.com, http://www.luxury-home.ca and http://www.repairing-building-contractor.com.