Kitchen remodels are one of the most popular home improvements. They can be a great way to update your space as well as adding value to your home. The most important part of a kitchen redesign is making it both beautiful and functional. Regardless of your design style, an eye on layout, flow and organization is essential. Here are 5 mistakes to avoid when designing your kitchen remodel.
Ignoring the Kitchen Triangle
Designers refer to the stove, sink, and refrigerator as the kitchen triangle. This is the area in the kitchen where the most activity occurs. When designing your kitchen layout, make sure to give unobstructed access within the kitchen triangle. The sum of the legs in a work triangle should be between 10 and 25 feet for the greatest efficiency.
Inadequate Counter Space
Lack of counter space is one of the biggest complaints about poorly planned kitchens. In addition to all the activities that require counter space, remember to plan for any appliances that will be permanently located there. Coffee makers, toaster ovens, and microwaves often sit countertop and don’t move.
Poor Lighting
Having inadequate lighting in your kitchen is a matter of safety as well as design and atmosphere. Handling knives and kitchen tools requires proper illumination. When planning your kitchen design, be sure to think about task lighting as well as ambient lighting and focused lighting to highlight favorite design elements.
Wasted Storage Space
Kitchens are one of the most used rooms in many houses, and as such hold a lot of items that need to be stored. Oddly shaped items like food processors, mixers, and baking pans can be difficult to store and require a lot of space. Having the stored items easily accessible adds another step to the design process. Not including enough storage is a huge error that can be minimized with adequate planning. Consider extra long upper cabinets, and remember to put cabinets in areas that are sometimes forgotten, like above the refrigerator.
Skipping the Backsplash
Whether due to budget constraints or just inadequate planning, backsplashes sometimes get pushed to the bottom of the to-do list during kitchen remodels. While this may save money in the short-term in the long run it will cause issues. Steam, water, and grease are almost constant in the kitchen. Installing a backsplash above the cooktop and countertops will protect your walls and make them much easier to clean.
Proper kitchen design requires a lot of careful thought and planning. Give us a call at 505-991-0063 to schedule an appointment for a consultation or to discuss remodeling your kitchen. We’ll walk you through the process and make sure we’re all on the same page before any demolition or construction begins.