Hurray! You’re ready to embark on your kitchen renovation! Like we’ve discussed in previous articles, remodeling your kitchen has the potential to dramatically increase the value of your home, as well as your enjoyment of it! Gone are the days of disorganized tupperware, and out of reach storage spaces. Redesigning your kitchen allows you to create a space that responds to your needs, instead of the needs of the previous owners. By now you have probably decided whether you’re remodeling or completely renovating. A remodel is a largely cosmetic undertaking – new cabinetry, hardware, perhaps new countertops, an island or a tiled backsplash. Meanwhile, a renovation involves totally starting from scratch. This article addresses the starting from scratch route, although some points can apply to both plans but overall will give you some of the most up to date and latest kitchen design ideas out their.
One of Wright Kitchens Latest and Greatest Kitchen Renovation Projects
The Kitchen Triangle
Interior designers and Kitchen specialists refer to the area between the sink, stove, and refrigerator as the Kitchen Triangle. It’s the most frequently used area in your kitchen, and as such it needs to be cleverly laid out. In some kitchens, the plumbing may need to be relocated to get it closer to the stove, refrigerator and countertop workspaces. When it comes to the size of the Kitchen Triangle, aim for somewhere between 10 – 25 feet. Smaller than 10 feet will make the space feel cramped, meanwhile over 25 feet is going to make you feel like you’re running a 10k marathon instead of making a sandwich.
Dedicated Garbage and Recycling Space
This might seem like a small, almost inconsequential point, but building dedicated garbage, compost, and recycling area within your kitchen is going to help you keep your space so much more organized! With today’s increasing emphasis on separating out food scraps from recycling and trash a simple garbage under the sink just doesn’t cut it anymore. Instead of letting plastic containers and old newspapers accumulate in piles all over your kitchen, consider including a spacious cupboard with built in sliding garbage, recycling, and compost receptacles.
Storage Space
Look around your kitchen. On any given day, you probably use 15% of everything you own. The rest of it is only gets pulled out for holiday meals, school bake sales, birthday dinners, and daring culinary adventures. A well designed kitchen features storage not only for the seldom used gadgets and good dishes, but also for easily accessible everyday basics. Within the Kitchen Triangle, you should be able to easily access your most often used dishes, utensils, and tools. You shouldn’t ever have to get out a step stool to find the salad bowl for your Meatless Monday meal.
Countertop and Island Workspace
Not everyone needs an industrial sized kitchen. Depending on how much space you have in your kitchen, and your culinary habits you can get away with more or less counter space. An Island is one way to increase the workspace in your kitchen. You can also incorporate a breakfast bar onto the island for additional casual seating. By adding a sink, Islands can be used as a totally separate workspace allowing you to use countertop space for appliances, or even decor.
And last but not least, never underestimate the importance of a professional! Before you go at it alone, get a few estimates from trusted local professionals on your dream kitchen, you’d be surprised at how much you could learn if you do. Happy Renovating!