Designing The Perfect Kitchen

By Author: Jocelyn Marchall
Total Articles: 4762
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The kitchen is commonly referred to as the "heart" of a home. It is one of the most important factors when it comes to determining a home's value. Whether you've recently moved or decided to invest in remodeling one of the most used rooms in your home, there are a few modern applications and updates that must be considered during your design stage.

Ease in Use

Begin by determining what you'd like your kitchen to do for you. Do you want to be able to serve breakfast at the bar in the mornings, or would you like an eat-in nook area for quiet mornings with the family on the weekends? The layout of everything from partial walls to cabinets and appliances should be considered so you can incorporate any of these "must-haves" into your design.

If you love to entertain, remember that many people tend to flock to the kitchen during parties and get-togethers. Ensure you have enough room to accommodate large groups while still allowing for ease of movement around the fixtures in the room.

Also, consider every member of the family in the design of your kitchen. Will the kids be able to reach the shelves ...
... easily if necessary, or can they climb onto the bar stools you so carefully chose to eat breakfast before school? Remember that every member of the family should be able to utilize the best features of the kitchen and feel comfortable doing so.

Creative Storage Design

Modern kitchen designs take storage to a new level, and this aspect of your kitchen is definitely worth spending some quality time and thought on. If you will have an island or partial wall, consider adding extra built-in cabinets to utilize this space more efficiently. Remember, it's best to have too much storage versus not enough in today's home improvement market. Over-the-fridge and stove storage are also ideal for items that may not be needed on a regular basis. If you have small children, consider more wall storage areas for sharp objects and other dangerous items commonly found in the kitchen.

Don't forget that appliances can take up quite a bit of room that would otherwise be open floor space or added cabinet storage. Some homeowners choose to remedy this situation by adding recessed areas for built-in refrigerators and stoves, or including the sink or stovetop on the island. Microwaves should also be hung under the cabinets to free up precious counter space.

Storage areas are bigger than ever in modern home design, and the kitchen pantry is no exception. Consider expanding the pantry to become a walk-in area that may also double as a utility closet or even laundry area.

Modern Additions to Your Kitchen

In order to gain the most value from your remodel, add quality modern materials and updates. Among the most important to include are countertops and sinks, flooring, lighting and appliances.

Homebuyers today consider granite, concrete or other solid-surface countertops a necessity. Though this will add considerable costs to your remodel, you will reap the benefits and value many times over. Pairing a cheap stainless steel sink with expensive counters is never a good idea either, so consider a solid-surface sink to match your updated look.

Lighting choices for kitchens are virtually unlimited, but you must consider the overall design and color scheme when choosing lighting. If your cabinets and countertops are darker in color, you'll want to ensure you have plenty of natural and artificial lighting sources to prevent a caged-in feel. Recessed lighting around the perimeter of the room, under the cabinets, and even variable lighting levels all help with this. Chandeliers and track lighting are also suggested for a modern choice in kitchen lighting.

Flooring should be updated to be hardwood, ceramic tile or even cork. Carpet is no longer considered ideal, and laminate and vinyl choices tend to look cheap when added to rooms incorporating modern designs in all other aspects. Hard flooring choices are easy to clean and care for, and you can always add area rugs if you feel the need for more color and comfort in the room.

Appliances are other important items needed to ensure your kitchen design will look updated. Black or stainless steel appliances are the most popular choices. Side-by-side refrigerators are ideal. If you want to take it a step further, you can utilize customized facing to make it look like it blends into the cabinetry. Taking these few steps to ensure a little bit of luxury and modernized design in your kitchen will create a comfortable room you can enjoy, and one which will pay off should you ever decide to sell your home in the future.
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