BEFORE YOU BUY

Smart Steps to Designing a Kitchen

Tips

1. The kitchen is the hardest room in the house to design. It is best to seek professional help and be open to suggestions. They are there to help.
2. Establish a work budget and try to avoid paying cash for remodeling. If it comes down to the choice between paying cash for your kitchen or for buying a car, always finance the remodeling. You can deduct the interest of the remodeling loan from your taxes but you can’t for the car.
3. Familiarize yourself with the planner and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember: It’s your project and your house. Ask about warranty information and ask to be entered into an agreement for the work being completed in order to protect yourself.
4. Prepare yourself mentally. Remolding is stressful even if you do the work yourself.

Designing a Kitchen

1. Measure your space. Measurements must include all walls, windows, and doorways. Take into consideration that if you want your kitchen to be larger there may be viable options like creating an addition or removing a barrier wall.
2. Decide on color choices (light or dark) and type of wood (maple, oak, cherry, birch, or pine). Oak and cherry will darken with age, and this should be taken into consideration when picking a color. Remember: The darker it is, the smaller it will look.
3. Creating Layout: Keep the triangle and don’t make the area too large. The area consists of the three primary work centers—cook top, sink, and refrigerator. Make paper templates of each, then move them around on your drawing to get the best location.
4. An island or peninsula can add work space and also house the dishwasher or other appliances. It can also create an additional eating area.
5. Door Styles: There are many, and this would be a personal choice. If you are undecided, seek magazines or catalogs of kitchens or consult your designer for suggestions and models.
6. Countertop Choices: Laminate is the most affordable, and the color and edging choices are unlimited. Meganite is a new hard surface that is made overseas and is more affordable than Corian. Corian is followed by Zodiaq and Granite. Zodiaq is preferred over Granite. It is man-made and offers more shapes and colors, but it is very expensive. Other items to think about: flooring, lighting, new appliances, and wall treatments, if you work them into your budget.