Characteristics of a Good Kitchen: Kitchen Remodeling Ideas
Re-Bath & Kitchens Specializes in Kitchen Design in Phoenix, AZ
Are you considering a kitchen renovation and wondering what characteristics a good kitchen design should include? Because the kitchen is the heart of any home, it’s essential to give your kitchen remodel the careful planning it deserves. With over 40 years of home remodeling expertise to our credit, Re-Bath & Kitchens is here to give you kitchen remodeling ideas and advice. Our design consultants will steer you in the direction of lasting trends that will add value, comfort, and functionality to your home. Read on and then reach out to us if you’d like to schedule a free in-home design consultation!
Think About the Layout and Design of Your Dream Kitchen
From cooking to eating, drinking, and being merry, there’s usually a lot going on inside most kitchens. If you feel like your current kitchen has become outdated or cramped, you may not be as willing or able to prepare family meals or entertain company inside it. The first item on your kitchen renovation checklist should be updating the layout and design. How often do you plan to use your kitchen? Do you plan on having a lot of sit-down meals together as a family or do you usually eat on the run? How involved is your average meal prep work? How important is having a kitchen island or work station? Have you ever thought about adding a breakfast nook? These are all good jumping-off questions.
Don’t Obstruct Your Kitchen Triangle for Easy Access
While renovating your kitchen, it’s important not to obstruct the area of greatest activity. The kitchen triangle is what design experts call your sink, stove, and refrigerator collectively. You’ll want easy access to all three items, as well as any countertops. The sink must be placed near your kitchen plumbing. You could have a plumber relocate your kitchen pipes if you feel your sink isn’t in an ideal location but be aware this will drive up your renovation costs. The key to cracking the kitchen triangle equation is balance. You don’t want the area to be too small and crowded, but you also don’t want the space to feel overwhelming either. The ideal kitchen triangle usually falls somewhere between 10 and 25 feet.
Don’t Forget to Include Enough Kitchen Storage Space
It’s a wonder how much room appliances, dishes, utensils, and other miscellaneous items take up inside your kitchen. The number-one complaint of most homeowners when referring to their kitchens is the size and not having enough storage or counterspace. No matter the size of your kitchen, there are ways to maximize your storage space efficiently. You could add built-in cabinets, shelves, wine racks, spice drawers, and towel holders. You could also incorporate the idea of a lazy Susan insert to make your corner cabinets pull out and expand for additional storage space. The best kitchen designers aren’t afraid to use their ingenuity to solve your storage space dilemma. However, don’t be afraid to take an inventory and throw out or give away any unused items that are just cluttering up your kitchen. If it’s time for a kitchen cabinet upgrade, we can remodel your cabinets in any wood, style, or finish. We also offer handles, knobs, and other cabinet hardware in our vast array of kitchen remodeling products.
Maximizing Your Counterspace for Easier Meal Preparation
Adding a kitchen island with a breakfast bar extension has become a popular way to maximize your counterspace while giving your kitchen a modern look and feel. Creating this all-inclusive space will make meal preparation more convenient for you while giving you more room for dining and even a stylish area for completing school or office work. Perhaps you’re not ready to invest in an island set-up. Just updating your countertops can transform your kitchen design. We’d be happy to help you consider the best countertop materials based on their strength and durability as part of our kitchen remodeling process. We carry granite, quartz, solid surface, and laminate countertop materials.
Upgrade to ENERGY STAR® Appliances for Energy Efficiency
Declutter your kitchen space by getting rid of any unused appliances and gadgets you’ve accrued over the years. We suggest replacing outdated appliances with modern energy-efficient ones with an ENERGY STAR® label. Not only will this make your kitchen feel more contemporary, but it can help you cut your energy costs. Upgrading to newer, better appliances is an investment that usually pays for itself over time. It’s also essential to analyze how often you use your appliances when selecting the best ones for your needs. If you plan to entertain often, you probably want a larger stove, oven, and dishwasher. If you have a smaller kitchen and don’t plan to entertain often, a range hood could help you save space. Built-in kitchen appliances are also making a comeback for homeowners with a small kitchen.
Update Your Kitchen Flooring to Withstand Spills & Traffic
Your kitchen sees heavy amounts of traffic, especially if you have a large family and pets. Most kitchen overhauls include the installation of new flooring. You have many flooring options to choose from, including wood, porcelain, ceramic tile, concrete, laminate, and natural stone. Some of the most popular kitchen flooring choices are laminate or tile because they’re easy to clean and not too hard underfoot. However, if you want the classic look of hardwood flooring, we can help you seal it to prevent damage from excess moisture inside your kitchen. During your design consultation, we’ll bring sample flooring options to help you decide on the right product for your space, lifestyle, and budget.
Consider Updating Your Lighting & Including Accent Lights
You can’t afford to be without good lighting in your kitchen. Not only is lighting a safety issue when using sharp knives to chop fruits and vegetables, but lighting can also make a room appear more open and inviting. Your kitchen remodel may include updating your general lighting and including additional task or accent lightings, such as pendant lights above the work areas or kitchen island. We’ve installed under-cabinet and recessed lighting to create a focal point for your room, as well as luxurious chandeliers and dimmers to create a low-key ambiance. Layered lighting is a popular kitchen design trend because it adds depth to any space. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new forms of lighting.
Don’t Be Afraid to Add Pops of Color to Your Kitchen Space
Kitchens don’t have to be all black-and-white. There’s been a growing interest in adding pops of color to the kitchen. Vibrant hues can work well with natural stone, tile, or woodgrain flooring, cabinets, and countertops. Wine colors are popular for a dramatic look while softer palettes featuring dusty pinks or soft greys create serene surroundings for meal prep and dining. Nature lovers seem to prefer shades of green, which evoke feelings of warmth while giving your kitchen walls more texture.
Splurge on a Backsplash or High-End Fixtures in Your Kitchen
Are you familiar with a backsplash? This is the area found behind a workspace that protects your walls from cooking and water splatters. Don’t forget to include a backsplash in your new kitchen design, and don’t be afraid to get creative with it. Many homeowners have begun experimenting with painted glass and stainless-steel backsplashes. A stainless-steel backsplash may give your kitchen a sleek, commercial feel while the painted glass is available in a rainbow of colors to complement or contrast any design scheme. You also may not give your kitchen’s fixtures much thought but investing in high-quality ones can help elevate your kitchen’s look and feel. We can help you select high-end fixtures that are durable and pleasant to the touch. We especially love Delta faucets, which are available in single- and dual-handle options in complementary finishes, including chrome, nickel, stainless steel, and oil-rubbed bronze.
Request a Free In-Home Kitchen Design Consultation Today
While it may be tempting to attempt a kitchen remodel do-it-yourself project to save a buck or two, you could end up wasting both time and money by not involving the professionals. At Re-Bath & Kitchens, we know what works and doesn’t work, thanks to our 40+ years of industry experience. We keep up-to-date with emerging trends to provide the best kitchen remodeling ideas and advice. Don’t waste your efforts on fleeting fads. Contact us today to request a free in-home kitchen design consultation. We’ll come to your home and make expert recommendations on ways to improve your kitchen without breaking the bank. We can show you product samples, portfolio pictures, 3D renderings, and elevation drawings to help you visualize your new kitchen. Best of all, we’re there for you during the entire process, from design to installation with licensed, insured contractors.
