Every homeowner has the dream of renovating their kitchen someday. After all, who does not want the place they cook or eat to look like the kitchen of a celebrity chef like Jamie Oliver or Rachael Ray? Besides, an updated kitchen dramatically increases the resale value of a home. It’s easy to get plenty of remodeling ideas for kitchen. But, there are some basic do’s and don’ts that you should follow to avoid a disaster.
Consider this your outline while planning your project and keep it on hand once the renovations are underway. Our tips will help you design a space that will be both functional and aesthetically pleasing for years to come.
Things to do with the kitchen island
The island is a key element to all the kitchens renovations ideas. It is the visual anchor that ties the place together and helps the kitchen to be more functional and efficient. Some people just go with the trend without thinking of the layout and available space of the kitchen, which is a wrong approach. You have to think of the placement, seating arrangement, and storage among other things when bringing an island into your kitchen. Modelhome Makeover offers kitchen interior design and renovation ideas to meet the needs of each modern family.
A functional kitchen island should:
- Add more counter space
- Increase storage space
- Open up room for more seating
It would be better if it’s multi-level and is compatible with appliance installation such as a sink or stovetop.
Don’t obstruct the kitchen triangle
Interior designers refer to the stove, sink, and refrigerator as the Golden Triangle in the kitchen. The principle was developed in the 1940s to make the place more efficient by maximizing the functionality of these most used workspaces.
The highly active Golden Triangle area requires careful planning and unobstructed access.
Irrespective of the size and layout of the kitchen, the triangle should be within a 10-foot to 25-foot diameter. Smaller than this dimension could make people tripping over each other while too large an area could make food preparation and cleaning the dishware a tiresome task.
Do have a plan for using the space
The good thing is most people do have the image of a renovated kitchen in their mind when they plan for a remodeling project. The problem is such a pre-made conception limits their vision, making them not to explore all the options available.
Instead of blindly following the trend or maintaining the status quo, you should plan the renovation around the activities of your family members in the kitchen. Include a long dining table if you invite guests often while a banquette will be nice if you have the habit of reading something or passing some ‘me time’ when preparing food. Sketch your design plan around your personal needs.
Don’t ignore the budget
A kitchen remodeling project is expensive. So, you not only have to plan it wisely but also need to design it around your budget. To keep it within your desired limit, create two lists of items – a must-have and a wish list. Go for the second list only if the budget allows it.
There are also a plenty of ways to make your remodeling project affordable. The measures that you can take are:
- Renovating the older cabinets instead of replacing them
- Updating the pulls and handles of the doors, drawers, and cabinets
- Lacquer the wooden furniture and paint the walls
- Purchasing the appliance package from a wholesale supplier
Have enough lighting
Poor lighting makes any place look shabby and squalid. Don’t do this mistake when you are renovating the kitchen. Besides, this activity hub needs more lighting where you prepare and cook food, do the cleaning, and do other chores. Remember that it is necessary to have proper lighting over the island, underneath the cabinet, near the sink, and by the stove. In addition, you can use pendant and pot lights across the area.
Don’t choose a generic design template
The thought of return on investment is always associated with a house remodeling project. The problem is most homeowners settle for a cookie-cutter design thinking of the ROI and equity. You should insert a bit of your personality into the decoration given that you will live in the house a few more years after the renovation.
