Kitchen renovations are one of the most popular home improvement projects undertaken today. As the family hub, this room is the place where you’re most likely to spend the majority of your time. For that reason, you should love everything about it and have a fully functional room that works with your families needs. But searching for pictures of your dream kitchen online is one thing. What should you consider before designing the layout of your new cooking space?
Cost
First and foremost, establish a budget. Kitchens can be a costly renovation within your home. If you have an amount in mind from the very start, you’ll be better prepared to plan appliances, furniture and accessories around this. However, a good kitchen renovation can also add value to a property, so it may be worth researching this as a potential long-term investment.
Existing Layout
If you’re thinking about changing the entire layout of your kitchen, consider whether this could be a costly option. You’ll save significant money if you can keep major systems such as your sink and washing machines plumbed into their existing spaces. It’s also worth remembering that kitchens are usually designed to be functional. Although it may not meet your style requirements, noting the positioning of different cupboards could help ensure you are able to make full use of the new space.
New Layout
There are a whole host of different things to take into consideration when planning the new layout of your kitchen. A few examples include:
- Ensuring your walkways are at least 38” wide to allow for easy movement
- Ensuring cupboard doors can all open fully
- Keeping the cooking hob away from the reach of small children
- Considering the amount of countertop space needed depending on the amount of cooking undertaken.
- Appliance size – Will they fit in comfortably or will the room feel cramped?
- Making sure the lighting chosen adequately brightens up all vital areas of the kitchen.
Discussing your layout with an experienced architect or interior designer will help to iron out some of these issues.
Maintenance
Consider the materials you choose for easy cleaning in the future. Glass refrigerator shelves can be wiped clean and don’t absorb smells in the same way as plastic. Matte kitchen surfaces won’t show grime as much as polished ones.
Kitchen renovations are a fun and exciting way to put your stamp on any property. And, when done right, they’ll encourage the entire family to gather around in the evening and spend time enjoying each others company.