Wednesday, Sep 29, 2010

A great place to begin working on the design and layout for your kitchen remodel is your current kitchen. Use your existing kitchen as a template and testing ground for your new kitchen. Perhaps your existing kitchen has features you would like to incorporate into your new kitchen or maybe there are certain features that your current kitchen lacks that you want to be sure to improve upon when you remodel. Be specific about your observations of your existing kitchen and write down your thoughts. From this list you can begin to slowly conclude what features you do and do not want to have in your new kitchen.

The next step is to make a wish list. Using the information you have written about your likes and dislikes of your current kitchen, begin writing down the specifics of what you would like your new kitchen to contain. Perhaps your current kitchen has laminate counter tops that have worn easily, in this case you may be putting monolithic granite counter tops at the top of your list. Perhaps your current kitchen lacks seating for the family, if this is the case then you may want to include an island with recessed seating nooks that accommodate chairs or bar stools. Remember, this list is a wish list, put down everything you may want, even if you know its unlikely to be possible. This will provide you with a rough draft of wants and needs for your kitchen, and through a process of elimination you will eventually come up with a solid foundation for the components of your new kitchen.

Now that we have a clearer understanding of what you want for your new kitchen, its time to decide where all of these shiny new features will be placed. Depending on the size of your kitchen there will be a variety of layout combination's that will fit the items you plan on installing. What is more important however is planning the layout of your kitchen to ensure the highest level of function as well as aesthetic appeal. A good way to begin planning the placement of items for your kitchen remodel is to do a rough sketch of your floor plan. Once you have a rough sketch, begin to envision the placement of the specific elements. Bring this sketch with you when you are using your current kitchen, you should act out each of your normal actions in your existing kitchen as if it were in your new. Doing this will give you true perspective of how the placement of the kitchen components will improve the function of your kitchen or make more hassle.

The core of kitchen layout and placements is the triangle. A triangle should form between the three primary work stations of the kitchen: 1)Sink 2)Range 3)Stove. Keep in mind that your dishwasher will always be next to your sink unless an auxiliary drainage source is available. To conserve walking distance between any point of the triangle (any work station) thus making common kitchen tasks flow faster; the sum of all thee lines of the triangle combined should be no greater than 26 feet and no less than 12 feet. If you have a larger kitchen with many features and appliances, you may plan two or more work triangles.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends there be at least one work triangle designed within the limits specified above in any kitchen. We always recommend at least two - especially for larger families that enjoy preparing meals together. Once you have come up with some ideas for your new kitchens work triangle, mark the locations with masking tape in your existing kitchen and test them out. Many times you will find that the triangle is too large or small or that additional work paths and triangles are needed to suite your families needs.

We are always happy to assist you in planning your kitchen layout free of charge. Call us today and we can get started on your triangles!

Yours Truly,

Paul Adrianse
Owner