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How do you create an attention-grabbing, designer kitchen on a reasonable budget? How do builders and remodelers design kitchens that sizzle? They've figured out the secret to creating kitchens that sell. They hire a kitchen designer! So, if builders think kitchen design is a smart idea, do you think it might be worth the investment?
Today's remodeled kitchen can easily cost $25,000 – $50,000 or more. If you are going make a sizeable investment upgrading your kitchen, you may want to allocate a portion of your budget to kitchen design. Why? Because a good designer comes up with great ideas. You pay for a trained eye to see what you can't see. A good designer suggests design elements that won't blow the budget. They know which details are relatively inexpensive, but add significant “punch” to your project.
Once you've budgeted money for design (generally 3-5%), now what do you do? Well, before looking for a kitchen designer, start thinking about what want in your kitchen. A kitchen designer will ask you what you have in mind so they can narrow the focus of your design. Is there a specific appliance that you want to make the focal point of your kitchen? Do you like exotic wood cabinets? Or do you just want a kitchen where everything coordinates and flows together?
Before you contact a kitchen designer, you may also want to visit a kitchen appliance dealer. A designer vent hood or an oversized range can serve as a great focal point for your new kitchen. Then you may want to start looking in design magazines, a great source for design ideas. Find the kitchen or the design elements you like in a magazine and simply replicate those ideas that appeal to you. Finally, after you've gathered some general ideas of what you want in your kitchen, start looking for a kitchen designer.
Where do you find a good kitchen designer? And once you've settled on a designer and come up with a design, how do you know what your design will cost to build? How do you avoid designing a kitchen you can't afford? Wouldn't it be helpful if you had some guidance throughout the design process to determine construction costs?
That's where a “design-build” firm can help. Design-build remodelers offer both design and construction services. When working with a design-build contractor, the designer creates the beauty (the floor plan, the cabinet elevations, the finished material selections, etc.) and the contractor creates the estimate. There's no more guesswork. When you hire a design-build contractor you know exactly what the design will cost.
Today, there are number of professional remodelers offering design services. Some design-build remodelers provide in-house design services. Other contractors outsource design to kitchen-designer, business partners. The best design-build contractors couple top design talent with professional construction services.
So how do you create a designer kitchen? Since they appreciate the value of good design, you may want to start by looking for a good design-build contractor. Check their work, check their trade associations, look at their project pictures and talk to their designers. A reputable design-build remodeler can be a valuable partner for creating your new designer kitchen!
A food preparation area.
A cooking area.
Washing up area.
Eating area.
The heart of a party – All parties seem to end up in the kitchen.
Food and drink store.
The one room where a family all gets together to chat and eat.
Those are just a few of the functions a kitchen may need to fulfil and you will need to plan your kitchen to fulfil your family's needs.
It is essential that you plan a new kitchen carefully so that you get a kitchen that is right for you.
Here are the 5 fatal mistakes that people make when planning and fitting a new kitchen:-
1. Not having adequate storage – Glass doors look great but you have to be very neat and tidy and have lots of lovely crockery and glassware to show off, you can't exactly show off baked beans cans! Think carefully about how much stuff you've got and make sure you have adequate storage and storage solutions. Pull out larders are a great way to store food and to have easy access to it. Deep drawers are a good solution for large pans and baking tins. Try to get a balance between aesthetics and practicality.
2. Not adding everything – Are you toying with the idea of having a dishwasher? Plan it into your new kitchen, it will be harder to fit it in later. Think about electrics. You may not have many electrical items now but you may want to put a TV, sound system, microwave or new gadgets in your kitchen at a later date so put plenty of sockets in now. Anther consideration to think about is ease of use. Does one member of the family have mobility problems or are you beginning to get old and arthritic? You may want to have a wall oven fitted rather than an oven that you have to bend down to use. Future proof your kitchen as much as possible.
3. Following fashion – Think about those awful 1970s kitchens and bathrooms you see in some houses. If you want to really future proof your kitchen and have it looking good for a long time, you will want to choose a classic kitchen rather than picking a kitchen that is fashionable now but is so trendy and different that it may look out of place in 5 years' time. A good choice is a handmade wooden kitchen which is classic and is built to last. Wood always looks great and is practical and long lasting. A kitchen is a big investment, you want to get it right.
4. Not thinking about colour and lighting – Some dark colour kitchen cabinets and work tops can make a small kitchen look even smaller, darker and even oppressive. Make the most of any natural light, choose lighter coloured units and think about lighting. Under cupboard lighting can help with food preparation in darker kitchens. Plan it in now and get the electrics put in.
5. Not getting advice – Don't just put your kitchen in the hands of a builder. Consult a kitchen company who will be able to give you advice on the best layout for your needs. There are many different layouts – galley, one wall, L-shaped, U-shaped, islands etc. Using a professional will ensure that you get a kitchen that is aesthetically pleasing and functional.
6. Not budging – You've got an idea that you want a central island or a breakfast bar but the designer says it won't fit. If you are inflexible and won't budge, you may end up with a kitchen that just doesn't work. An island needs to have plenty of space around it so that you can get past. If you stick to your guns, you will find that you are forever bruising your hips when you bump into things or you'll find that your oven or dishwasher won't open. Be flexible and listen to the experts.
Take your time planning your kitchen and seek the advice of a professional company or designer to help you. The result will be a great looking, practical kitchen which you will be happy with for many, many years.