1. CHANGE UP YOUR LAYOUT.
The layout is the foundation of every kitchen design, and without an effective layout the best cabinets and appliances will not make your kitchen function well. Try to imagine your kitchen as a blank slate and design it the way you want it. You may find this requires moving the kitchen sink to a different location or re-configuring your kitchen cabinets. Get this level of planning right and everything else will fall into place. You will find it easier to move around in your kitchen and to peacefully co-exist with your family, friends, and guests. You may even find with the perfect kitchen layout that you are ready to tackle new recipes or to entertain guests for a dinner or holiday party.
2. KNOCK IT DOWN.
Maybe you find your kitchen is too small or awkwardly shaped. While some changes can be made within the confines of your existing space, getting the kitchen design you really want may require more drastic measures. No, we don’t mean you have to sell up and move, but you might consider making a structural change to your existing home. Knocking down an internal wall, moving a wall, or bumping out an external wall are all options that allow you to turn a small, enclosed kitchen into an open plan space that is a dream for everything from cooking to relaxing to entertaining. Before you pick up a sledgehammer yourself, remember that some walls contains electrical wiring or pipes, while others are load bearing walls. Work with a kitchen design and remodeling professional that has experience in kitchen projects to make sure your project gets done right the first time.
3. ADD MORE STORAGE.
If a key concern with your kitchen design is lack of storage, look beyond the confines of your kitchen to create more effective storage solutions. Consider first what you need to store, the size of the items, and how frequently you use them. If you only use your stand mixer for holidays, find it an off-season home in the basement or attic. If, however, you have items you need to access on a more regular basis that are creating storage issues, look at the areas surrounding your kitchen for a solution. You may have a small closet, hallway, or another space that could be re-purposed into a kitchen pantry. To deal with kids dumping their muddy shoes and school bags in the kitchen, consider adding customized entry way or mudroom storage.
4. LOOK BEYOND THE KITCHEN.
Remember that your kitchen is an integral part of the functioning of your home, but it does not work alone. What is your goal in remodeling your kitchen? Are you trying to improve family life or make your kitchen design more conducive to entertaining? While you are engaging a professional and embarking on a kitchen remodel it may make sense to also update your adjacent laundry room, utility room, or powder room. Taking care of these requirements at the same time can save you time and even money, and it means you get the dream space you need rather than a sparkling new kitchen next to a dull, outdated powder room. You home will function better and you will be ready to host amazing parties in your newly remodeled space!
