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Guidelines
for Designing Your Ideal Kitchen
Whether
a new build or remodeling, it can be
overwhelming designing a kitchen that fits your
lifestyle.
In addition, it can also be the most
expensive room to construct as well as
outfitting, especially when you add in the cost
of appliances, cabinetry, countertops and if
needed plumbing and electrical systems.
When
designing your kitchen, remember it’s yours,
therefore start by making your wish list.
This should first include all of your
“must haves,” such as a stove, and
refrigerator.
Once you have your “wish list,” your
next step is to lay out your kitchen design.
Remember, a lay out that works for
someone else, may not work for you.
The
biggest mistake 99% of all homeowners make is
asking their kitchen to do too much.
The second biggest mistake is, wanting
it all. The
problem is that there’s probably not enough
room---no matter how big the kitchen.
Therefore, when planning your kitchen
design, there are 2 rules to keep in mind:
1.
Be realistic
2.
Keep it practical
If
you plan your kitchen design correctly,
you’ll have a functional work area.
However, if you don’t, you’ll end up
with an unwelcome, unworkable tangle, and a lot
of wasted space.
Most
kitchen designers use the "work
triangle" with the points of the triangle
representing the locations of the refrigerator,
cooking area and sink.
The main reason the work triangle works
so well is that you only have to pivot from one
part of the triangle to another, eliminating
unnecessary movement when preparing meals.
As
mentioned before, what works for one person may
not work for you.
Therefore, you have to take into
consideration all factors, such as your
lifestyle.
If
your entire family gathers in the kitchen, then
you may want to make sure you have room for
your family members to help cook or prepare
meals without stepping on each other’s feet.
Another consideration would be if you
have children who do their homework in the
kitchen while you cook.
If this is the case, then you may want
to incorporate a work/study area.
A
growing popular design is one that was popular
during the early 1900’s, which incorporated
the kitchens and dining areas into one very
large room.
The reason this design is popular once
again, is that it incorporates more than one
work one triangle.
Many times this design has work
triangles specially designated for baking, one
for food preparation, one for cleaning dishes,
and another for entertaining.
In other words, the kitchen is split
into several areas with the main work area
designated for food preparation.
Because
kitchens designs vary, it is very important to
understand what design will work best for you.
If you use a kitchen designer, when you
sit down with them make sure they understand
your family, your schedules, how you cook, and
whether or not your children and spouse or
partner help with the food preparation.
This information can significantly help
to influences your ideal kitchen design.
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