How to Plan Your Kitchen
Planning your kitchen remodeling job is not easy, but as a homemaker you know the importance of having a kitchen that fits the lifestyle and eating habits of the family. You can actually improve its function by strategically planning your kitchen layout and implementing it. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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The Process
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1
Make up your mind how much money you want to spend on the kitchen. Decide whether you will be extending the kitchen or remodeling the interior. Never make the mistake of spending more than 10 percent of the original worth of the entire home.
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2
Write down a list of things that you'd like to be changed in your existing kitchen. For instance, you dislike the fact that you do not have enough room for food preparation or you feel that you do not like to bend too much to unload the dishwasher, and prefer it to be at waist level. Based on these changes and possible new ideas, like an informal eating place in your kitchen or more storage area for fresh ingredients, you can draw up a plan as to how you want your ideal kitchen to be.
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3
If you are using a gallery kitchen plan, which fits alongside the wall of the kitchen in a straight line, make sure that the sink and fridge are positioned in the best manner possible. If you are using a double-gallery kitchen plan, where appliances and units are situated along facing walls, make sure that the distance between the two runs of units are a minimum of 42 inches.
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4
If you are using an L-shaped kitchen, where units and appliances are located on adjacent walls, make sure that the cooking range, fridge and sink are in a triangle not more than 3 feet of space apart.
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5
In the U-shaped kitchen, where appliances and units run along three sides of the room, plan to make best use of two corners which may otherwise end up vacant. Compared to other types of kitchen, a U-shaped kitchen needs more light, so put spot lights, central lighting and under-the-counter task lighting. You can keep the dishwasher to the center of the run of the units, while the fridge can be placed toward the end.
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Tips & Warnings
Granite is the most popular material for countertops; it lends durability and style to your kitchen design, but you can also consider other good options like tile, metal, concrete and limestone. Go over your plan with someone else to see if you can get any additional design suggestions that will make it even easier to meet your budget than the plan you have.
