Kitchen Renovation Thoughts & Ideas
The kitchen is the heart of the home and I adore working with my clients to design kitchens with both form and function in mind. When a client loves their new kitchen, I know that it will not only make their life easier, but they will enjoy sharing the new space with family and friends. It will enhance their lives in immeasurable ways. I know how our kitchen makes me and my husband, a published cookbook author, feel each day and when we entertain. Our kitchen is organized, with everything easily accessible, which allows us plenty of room to maneuver.
Whether you decide on a full-blown kitchen remodel or a partial one, any work to update your kitchen will add value to your home, in addition to the absolute pleasure your new space will give you each day!
Most of my clients opt for a full kitchen renovation -- gutting the existing kitchen and reworking the design to optimize the function of the space. If kitchen cabinets are tired, falling apart or don’t operate properly, it makes sense to purchase new cabinets. However, to save money, painting cabinetry to give the space a face lift is a great idea … as long as the paint job is pristine. Select any paint color on the market for a custom look without breaking the bank. Replace your countertops and backsplash, add some new lighting and voilà, a new kitchen!
For either a full or partial kitchen renovation, here is how I go about the design process. I select the cabinets and flooring first, followed by counter and backsplash tile. Appliances, the sink, hardware, lighting, window treatments, etc. all follow. And while thoughtfully selecting materials is the base of any good kitchen remodel, it is all the small details that can really make a space feel special. For instance, I like using the same countertop material for the backsplash as well as for the sill below the kitchen window, with a thinner, detailed edge.
Don’t forget about your light switches and plugs! Location, location, location. When you enter your kitchen, where are your switches? I like the first switch, closest to the kitchen entrance, to be the light(s) that illuminate the entire room. The second and third switches are from most to least importance in the room. I prefer all lighting to go on dimmers. For plugs, I like to use plug mold so that the tile, granite or quartz backsplash looks pristine. You can also opt for plugs that blend into the backsplash. Www.legrand.us.com and www.forbesandlomax.com are great switch and plug resources.
Using base trim in non-working parts of the kitchen and finished cabinet panels on the ends or backs of a cabinet runs gives a refined look. The details that really bring the space together though are ceiling and undercabinet lighting, and my favorite – cabinet hardware. Many a client would agree! Cabinet hardware is the jewelry of the room.
With today’s trend of white kitchens, I prefer to deliver kitchen designs that blend with the client’s home to offer form and function in ways that work for them.
Happy kitchen planning!
