Kitchen 101
Cabinets are often the focus in a kitchen remodel, but other issues should also be considered.
Flow: Sometimes the relationship of a kitchen with regard to the outside or other rooms needs to be rethought. Many Kitchens don't work well because they have too much circulation going through them. Also, opening up a kitchen to other rooms can help with flow.
Lighting: Kitchens need good overall lighting (can lights or surface mount lights). They also need task lighting (undercabinet lights, light over the sink and stove). Finally decorative lights (short or long stem pendants) can create special areas (above island, peninsula, eating table). Never have more than 3 switches together (otherwise gets confusing).
Flooring: Good options are hard wood (with Oil based poly - water based does not stand up over time in kitchen). Tile and vinyl good. Tile does not have to be expensive. A carefully selected grout color can make inexpensive tile look great. White floors show dirt easily.
Heat: Kitchens are difficult to heat. They usually have little wall space. Can use kick space heaters in toe of cabinets. Radiant (floor) heat is good option for a kitchen.
Layout: Is one person going to cook at a time or many people? If many, then might want 2 sinks, several distinct work areas or giant island (where several people can work.
Wall ovens: Can have 1 or 2. Then can have cook surface instead of stove.
Microwave: Can be difficult to locate. Can be above stove, on counter, above counter, under island or in conjunction with wall oven. Will kids be using it? Can they reach easily. Common cause of burns in kids is using microwave.
Command center: Desk with calendar and computer popular in Kitchens. But can be near kitchen too. Desk usually lower than working counters. Often have file cabinet too.
Cabinets: Stock cabinets come in 3" increments. If you have 6" of fill it can become tray storage or spice pull out. If kitchen is large think about mixing some natural wood with painted cabinets (island or uppers) to avoid too much uniformity (or wood). Also can add some glass uppers to help this. Can have frosted glass to hide mess. If existing cabinets are in good shape they can be painted for new look (with new pulls). Or they can get new doors or resurfaced.
Counters: Corian, granite and soap stone are all expensive. Can mix counter materials for functions: granite near stove for hot things. Butcher block on island for cutting surface.
Spice: Spices can be in drawers, on back of cabinet doors or in shallow storage under island.
Pantries: Don't have to be deep (as deep as cereal box, or 2 rows of cans). Or can have a pull out can function.
Drawers: Big drawers are good for pots and pans and tupperware. Drawers are more useful than doors (but more expensive). Variety of sizes is good (think silver ware, saran wrap, ladles).
Lazy susan: A heavy duty lazy suzan can make corner cabinet useful.
Refrigerators: They tend to stick out. If door swing a problem get side by side fridge. There are counter depth refrigerators (but more expensive).
Dishwasher: For small household can get drawer dishwashers where you can do 1/2 a load. Also some European dishwashers are quieter.
Islands: Can have many functions. Eat at (with stools). Have book shelf at end. Often have trash and/or recycling underneath. Sometime small extra sink (veg prep).
Sinks: One or two bowls. One big/deep, one small shallow. Undermount if using granite. Drop in if using plastic laminate. Stainless vs cast iron. People have strong opinions about type of sink they want.
Thinking ahead about some of these issues will help your Kitchen Remodel project be a success.
About the Author
Dickinson Design, Architects, located in Acton, Massachusetts
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Dickinson
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