Kitchen renovations are well worth the investment as they can drastically improve your daily life, not to mention increase the value of your home. But good kitchen design can make the difference between a slight increase in the quality and value of your kitchen and lifestyle altering changes that will leave you feeling happier and more relaxed.
In Part one of this series we looked at keeping an open feeling in your kitchen, being practical, examining your family's specific needs and opting for durability. Now it's time to focus on the details of a good kitchen design including lighting, fixtures and features that will turn the heart of your home into the thriving, efficient hub it was meant to be.
Light Up Your Life
Lighting has an important role to play in your kitchen. You'll do a lot of work in your kitchen - everything from preparing and cleaning up meals, to homework, grocery lists and daily scheduling. Lighting can have a drastic effect on how well you are able to work. Providing the right amount of light in the right places is key.
Recessed light fixtures in the ceiling have excellent coverage while still providing an open feeling. Remember to have light directed at all of the work areas including stove, island, counter tops and dishwasher. Strips light above the cabinets add a nice mood for those relaxing times, but you'll need something like under the counter lights for those tasks that demand most of your time.
Keep the fancy chandeliers in the dining room and opt for something practical and bright in your kitchen. Fluorescents should be attractive, if used at all, although newer designed CFL bulbs can be disguised under any fixture, providing good lighting and energy efficiency.
Fixtures For Life
Kitchen renovations leave little room for skimping on fixtures. You need to invest in quality that will stand up to the day to day wear and tear of this all important room. From the kitchen faucet to the range hood and appliances, a well designed kitchen includes fixtures that are attractive, durable and fit well with the feel of the room.
Buy your plumbing fixtures in bulk to get the best price. Look for classic appeal instead of the latest trend and find a product with an iron clad warranty.
Must Have Kitchen Features
If you have the space, you should at least consider a kitchen island. For extra prep room, much needed storage and to provide that hub your family needs, a kitchen island is hard to beat. In certain designs a peninsula will provide the same thing and might be more easily incorporated into the layout. Consider a movable island if the expense of a permanent one is too much. Even without electricity and plumbing, a kitchen island provides so much value to the room.
In smaller kitchens an over-the-range microwave is a big space saver, providing more room on the counter. A good quality over-the-range microwave is pricier than a countertop model, but they also tend to be more powerful and leave your kitchen feeling open and spacious. Be sure that the exhaust is well vented to prevent condensation and cooking odors from becoming trapped in your kitchen.
Your ideal kitchen design is as much about your personality as anything else. But it will need to include well laid out lighting that makes this area a great workspace for all and quality fixtures you can depend on. Whether an island or an over-the-range microwave works best depends on the space available, but both are valuable additions to a well designed kitchen. Add value to your home and efficiency to your life with good kitchen design.
Posted by: TrustedPros