Whether you want to upgrade your kitchen in preparation of selling your home or because you just want an updated room, there is a lot you need to know before beginning the renovation process. The kitchen is the focal point of most homes and one of the most expensive areas to renovate, so you want to make sure you do it right the first time. Below are some pointers from
styleathome.com that will help you make sure the renovation process goes smoothly so you can start planning your next dinner party as quickly as possible.
1. Quality Materials
When it comes to materials for your kitchen renovation, it's important you choose the best quality. Top-quality drawer slides and hinges will mean your cabinet doors will stay closed and won't stick when you open them. Stay away from drawers that are stapled together or made of particleboards. For cabinet interiors, wood veneer is more durable than melamine, laminate, MDF or particleboard.
2. Cabinet Height
If you have eight-foot ceilings, you should choose cabinets that go to the ceiling because they will offer you more storage and will allow you to use extra wall space for artwork or shelves. If your ceilings are higher than eight feet you should leave 15 to 18 inches above the cabinets.
3. Paint or Stain
Painted cabinets give a unique personality. Most finishes on stained-wood cabinets date quickly and can't be easily altered.
4. Countertop
Choosing a countertop can be quite overwhelming with all of the options out there today. White Carrara marble and stained wood can add elegance and warmth to your room. Kirkstone slate, soapstone and Wiarton limestone and plastic laminate with a wood edge also give a good sophisticated look. Check them out in the store so you can be sure to choose the right one to match your taste.
5. Island
If you have a lot of kitchen parties, you know the importance of a good island – since most people end up standing around it. But be wary of placing a bulky cube in the middle of your room. Islands that have an open and airy look are ideal.
6. Details
When you are designing your kitchen it's easy to get carried away will all of the details that are offered today – such as pediments over stoves and plaster mouldings on cabinet fronts. Sometimes these details can be too much and will take away from the simple look of your kitchen – not to mention being very expensive. The style of your kitchen should compare with the rest of your home.
7. Maintenance
No matter what you are renovating, you should always think about future maintenance. Natural surfaces with inherent textures such as slate, terra-cotta, brick and tumbled marble, are difficult to clean but will hide crumbs on your counters. Smooth surfaces in light colours, such as white laminate counters or ceramic floors are easy to clean but will show the dirt. And while stainless steel looks lovely, it is difficult to keep smudge-free – especially with children in your home.
8. Appliances
When it comes to choosing appliances, keep it simple. Instead of getting lots of appliances or the newest gadgets, select just a few good ones. A commercial-quality stainless-steel range will make a good focal point in your kitchen without taking up space like separate wall ovens and cooktop.
9. Dining Room
When you are designing your new kitchen you may want to look at sitting up the dining room in your kitchen. With the right furniture and lighting you can change the room to be elegant and warm. Think about doing a banquette design combined with slipcovered chairs to use up some extra space and make the room cozy and inviting.
10. Interest
Your new kitchen should reflect you and not the showroom of your designer. It's suggested that before you even begin designing the space you should select a piece of unique furniture that you love and use it in your design to ensure your tastes are reflected. A room full of floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall cabinets will look boring. So incorporate some of your favourite furniture pieces. It doesn't have to be just a place to cook and clean.
