Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

For a kitchen remodel, the greatest constraint to your creativity is the layout of your kitchen. If you are so fortunate to do a tear down and rebuild, then you have a lot of flexibility in this area.

Kitchen Functionality

In any kitchen design, the most important aspect is functionality. Even the show piece kitchens nowadays still retain the basic form and function of traditional kitchens. The best way to define functionality is to consider the kitchen work triangle. The kitchen work triangle is made up of three main stations of the kitchen - the refrigerator, sink, and range.

Kitchen Work Triangle

The idea of the kitchen work triangle is to have good separation between the three stations so that there is no cross-traffic which may interfere with the chef. Also, the triangle is the most efficient shape, allowing the shortest distance traveled between these stations. While keeping the kitchen work triangle in mind, there are a few basic layouts from which other layouts can be derived.

In a small kitchen, sometimes you have to sacrifice the kitchen work triangle due to lack of space. You see the "wall layout" style in lofts and small studio apartments. This is where all three stations are lined up against the wall. This is only workable if there is the kitchen is in an open area unobstructed by walls or furniture.

Kitchen Corridor Layout

Another small kitchen layout is the "corridor layout" which has stations on both sides of a narrow hallway. The difference between the corridor and wall layout is that the corridor layout actually satisfies the kitchen work triangle concept. This layout also gives you more cabinet space as you have two walls for cabinets instead of one. The disadvantage of the corridor layout is that passing traffic in the hallway often conflicts with the chef cooking.

Kitchen L-Shaped Layout

For larger kitchens, you can use the "L-shaped layout" or the "U-shaped layout". The L-shaped kitchen is in a corner of the house with two adjoining walls like the letter "L". Usually the refrigerator would be situated closest to the public space while the sink is in the back. This allows easy access to the refrigerator by others and not run into the chef.

Kitchen U-Shaped Layout

The U-shaped kitchen is like the L-shaped except it's joined by another wall forming a "U" shape. The U-shape kitchen best demonstrates the kitchen work triangle because only one station is placed in each wall creating an ideal workspace for the chef.

Kitchen Island

If space permits, you can also put an island in the middle of your kitchen. Another design concept is to create a peninsula which juts out from the "L" shaped kitchen to provide a better work area as it then forms a U-shaped kitchen.

Questions to ask when designing a Kitchen

There are many options and layouts when designing the kitchen. To build the perfect kitchen, you should really look at the role your kitchen plays in the home. Is design and beauty more important or is the ability to prepare meals for guests and ease of clean up more important? How much storage space do I need (overhead cabinets and under-counter cabinets)? Would the kitchen be used on a daily basis for cooking or only special occasions?

Arthor and Source: Tyler David Johnson

Kitchen Remodeling Designs

Every year, various Realtor groups poll home improvement stores and other Realtors to come up with a list of home improvements that actually add value to your house. Year after year, the top results are the same. Kitchen remodeling is the home improvement job that adds the most value to your house. In fact, you’ll recover 80-90% of your kitchen remodeling costs in the added value to your house – more if you’re handy enough to do the work yourself.

Top 5 Kitchen Remodeling Projects

DIY Kitchen Remodeling

Because of the expenses that go with remodeling kitchens, do-it-yourself kitchen remodeling is gradually becoming a popular alternative to hiring kitchen experts. On the average, do-it-yourself kitchen remodeling cuts down expenses by 60%. The total costof $16,000 that kitchen-remodeling contractors usually charge can be cut down to $5,000 when the owners choose to do the remodeling themselves. As in any other type of remodeling, the process starts with planning. During planning, owners might need to exert more effort because they have think though each and every step before doing anything. They must make sure, beforehand, that they are able to do any task the remodeling requires of them.

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