Five Things to Consider When Designing Your Dream Kitchen by Jodi Leedy
1. Five Things to Consider When Designing Your Dream
Kitchen by Jodi Leedy
Are you planning on purchasing new kitchen cabinets? Whether for a newly constructed home or for
a remodeling project, consider one important factor, your kitchen is the heart of your home! It is not
just a place to dine; it is also the main gathering place for family and friends and a place for
entertaining. This is particularly true with today?s popular open floor plans and great room designs.
Because your kitchen plays such an important part of your home there are a few things to consider
in your planning process.
1) Kind in mind future buyers
Even if you are currently building your dream home, it is possible that someday you will have a need
to sell your home. Or, if you are remodeling your existing home to make it more comfortable for you
and your family, you may still find the need to sell it someday. Because of this, even if you aren?t
ready to sell your home today you should always ponder what potential buyers would think of your
kitchen cabinet selection and layout because opinions of your kitchen can drastically either increase
or decrease your selling price. A practical kitchen layout is typically everyone?s goal, but cabinet
styles and finishes are more of a personal choice. Are you attracted to traditional styles or more
modern styles? Do you like kitchen cabinets with distinct wood grain or ones with nearly no grain?
Whichever you personally prefer always keep future buyers in mind as it can play an important part
in your bottom line.
2) The Work Triangle
All homeowners seek a functional workspace in the kitchen. In planning your kitchen layout it is
important to consider the distance between your sink, stove and refrigerator in relationship to each
other. Connecting these three workstations from their center points should create an invisible ?work
triangle.? According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association the sum of the three distances
should be no more than 26 feet, with no single side of the triangle being less than four feet or more
than nine feet. There are a couple things to consider with planning a well-designed work triangle;
watch out for any triangle legs that may intersect an obstacle like an island, and make sure that no
major traffic patterns cross through the work triangle. Proper planning of your ?work triangle,?
taking all obstacles and limitations into review, will help create a functional workspace that will be
both practical for you and your future buyers.
2. 3) Kitchen cabinet storage is key
When designing your dream kitchen it is key to consider your storage space, along with ample
countertop space. Kitchen cabinet layout services are available to help you maximize your space and
create the best flow of cabinetry. The first place to look for extra storage space is your corners. In
small, tight kitchens a blind corner cabinet can be used to get the most use out of the corner.
However, to get the most efficient use of the corner space a lazy susan corner cabinet or easy reach
cabinet should be used. These cabinet options maximize the corner space while allowing easy entry
to it contents. Or try adding rollout trays in your base kitchen cabinets to help access your pots and
pans, or in your pantries in order to reach cans and dry goods more easily. Another suggestion
would be to include a 24? deep bridge cabinet in your kitchen cabinet layout above your
refrigerator. Most people keep unused or seasonal items above the refrigerator for the simple fact
that they can?t reach the cabinet. Therefore, consider a 24? deep refrigerator cabinet for easier
access.
4) Use kitchen cabinets to create islands or peninsulas
Kitchen cabinets can be configured to create center islands or peninsulas. These cabinet
configurations are very attractive to homeowners with an open floor plan. Using kitchen cabinets
this way creates an area for a breakfast nook with the ability to pull up stools. Kitchen cabinets used
in this manner instantly increases seating space, which is ideal since kitchens are typically gathering
places. Islands and peninsulas also create more storage space.
5) Bells and Whistles
3. Just like purchasing a new vehicle, there are upgrade options to consider when purchasing your new
kitchen cabinets. For example, what type of drawers do you want in your base cabinets? Will the
standard particleboard drawer secured with glue and staples be sufficient? Or would you prefer an
all-wood drawer constructed with dove-tailed joints? Or better yet, would you want the all-wood,
dove-tailed drawer with full-extension drawer glides that include a silent close feature? Other
construction upgrades can include all plywood construction, and custom depth cabinets. Besides
construction upgrades there are accessory cabinets that provide you with some ?bell and whistle?
qualities that can give your kitchen a custom and personalized look. Give consideration to glass door
cabinets for displaying your keepsakes or china dinnerware, an appliance hutch for hiding small
appliances on your countertop, roll out trays for base cabinets, integrated waste baskets, corner
shelves, and wine racks. When selecting your bells and whistles keep in mind both your budget and
overall functionality and flow of your kitchen for optimal results.
Remember, your kitchen is the heart of your home! Success in constructing a timeless, comfortable
space is creating a balance between an efficient layout and design with your personal tastes, while
keeping with the end goal of adding value to your home.
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