If you are thinking of taking on a kitchen remodeling project, here are some tips to help you create the kitchen of your dreams.
- Map the existing kitchen space. Be sure to include: doors, windows, radiators, electrical outlets and switches, plumbing and gaz lines. Take careful measurements, even a few centimeters can change the future layout of your kitchen.
- Start to see the space as it could be (not as it exists at present). This can be difficult to do especially if you have been in your home for a long time. New types of kitchen furniture allow for clever use of corners, bars and islands.
- The goal in a kitchen is to regroup the 3 work areas. Washing, preparing and cooking. It makes no sense to have your dishwasher on the other side of the kitchen from your sink. Think ergonomically. Where is the best location for YOU to store what you use on a daily basis? These choices depend on how you work within a space. Some people like to have their utensils in a pot on the counter top, others like them to be stored out of sight. Left handed people prefer to have a work surface to the left of the stove, while right handers prefer the opposite.
- Ah, the fun part...choosing how your kitchen will look. Selecting a style is no easy task these days. Kitchens are now available in all colors, finishes and materials. Gone are the days of painted pine cupboards and melamine counter tops. When selecting a style consider not only the facade of the cupboards and drawers, but also the type of knobs or handles you want. These can radically change the look of your kitchen, oftentimes giving it a "touch" that makes it uniquely yours.
- Set your budget! Be sure to calculate any changes you want to make besides new kitchen furniture and counter tops; such as changing the flooring, putting in more lighting, or as simple as repainting. All this counts towards the final cost of your project.
- Shop around. There are loads of kitchen manufacturers to choose from. They all over different styles, quality and price. Take time (a lot of it, if you want to be well informed and negotiate a good price).
- Don't skimp on safety. The kitchen is the #1 place for injuries in the home. Cuts, burns, and fires are the leaders. If you have small children install locking devises for cupboards where chemicals are kept. Use a shield around the stove top to prevent splashes and avoid pots being tipped over, and of course store knives out of reach of children. It is also a good idea to have a first aid kit in the kitchen.
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