2. Speaking of personal design, that is surely where we are headed in recent years. Do the hard work up front to determine what is a habit and what is something you really desire in the kitchen. For example – do you want the dishwasher on the adjacent wall of kitchen because you are used to it or because you really like to use it in that position? Beware of kneejerk reactions – think carefully!

3. What is timeless? I think it is safe to say that classic wood species such as cherry, maple, and other, somewhat “quiet” grained woods in brown stained finishes are truly timeless, as they communicate a classic furniture quality. Whites as well are classic for kitchen cabinetry – who doesn’t love a white kitchen?

4. How to get value? Value is received, as above, in a timeless design, in timeless products and components, in quality products which will last over time. It is a sustainable way of thinking as well.

5. What are cool products? Having been to many design shows, I can tell you that sinks with glass worktop covers to conceal the sink from an open kitchen are hot! Hardware in warm finishes and hardware that is more bulky in nature (more bang for the buck) works well in today’s kitchens, and of course, hardware is the jewelry of the kitchen! A warm/modern look for the kitchen is what many people are thinking about now.

6. Appliances! Appliances are becoming increasingly concealed as the kitchen floorplan is becoming more open to surrounding rooms. Even ovens are being seen behind closed doors. Panels on appliances do the trick to disguise the function behind the cabinetry facade.

7. Social Network – The kitchen is the social hub of the house and we are seeing larger, multifunctional islands being designed into the kitchen. Easy to communicate with others and great for assisting the chef or a spot to use for entertaining purposes such as arranging wine and wine glasses on one end, islands serve endless social functions. 

8. Where to start? With so many activities happening in our kitchens, write a list of all the activities you see going on in your kitchen. What is your lifestyle? How much importance and use will certain activities take on in the kitchen? Be realistic about your lifestyle and a functional kitchen design will follow!

9. Healthy Kitchen Design – Appliances today have healthy features! Grills, steamers, steam cooking in ovens, rotisseries, filtered water in our taps, fresher refrigerator storage, induction cooking – these are some examples of how appliances can truly work to produce and enhance a more healthy lifestyle.

10. Take your time! The kitchen was not built in a day! The more time you can shed old habits and hone in on what is really important to your family “now”, the better your kitchen will be aligned to the real “you.” 

Courtesy of The Kitchen Designer website and Martha Stewart’s Morning Living Radio Show: 
http://www.thekitchendesigner.org/journal/2011/5/23/martha-stewarts-morning-living-program-10-tips-to-a-great-ki.html

To see how we can help you create your next dream kitchen, call Keystone Remodeling at 770-777-4077:

Kitchen Remodeling

One of the biggest challenges to any remodeling project is design, especially a Kitchen. Here’s 9 tips to consider when remodeling your kitchen:

1. Consider how you really use your space. The first step in planning your kitchen remodel is deciding what you want your kitchen to do for you, and how it reflects the way you live. Do you want an intimate place for drinking coffee and reading your daily newspaper, a large spacious kitchen that’s perfect for entertaining, or a space that’s ideal for family projects and homework?

2. Get ideas. Start your planning with a visit to a premium tile or cabinet store that offers displays that show the latest in kitchen design, including the use of floor, wall and countertop materials such as tiles, stone, and granite. Read home improvement magazines, check out kitchen remodeling books from the library, visit friends who have remodeled their kitchens recently and check out model homes to see the latest in kitchen design from today’s home builders. Visit KeystoneRemodeling.com and review some on-line remodeling photo’s in the gallery.

3. Make a plan. Consolidate your ideas and create a remodeling plan and a budget. If you’re going to remodel it yourself, don’t be afraid to seek out information on the latest in remodeling standards.  One simple rule of thumb though, no matter how much you budget for, add 20 percent to cover the unexpected costs that come up once you get into your project.

4. Bring it up to code.  Above all, hire a state licenced contractor. If the contractor is not licenced there’s a reason and it won’t be for your benifit. Check your town or city’s website to review or download building code requirements related to kitchens – in particular codes for plumbing, electrical and windows. Even if you’re doing it yourself, you may need to pull a permit from your local town or city and obtain an inspection(s) for some elements of your project, such as electrical work.

5. Include popular features. Include popular features in your kitchen remodeling project to help at resale time, and to give your kitchen a more contemporary look and feel. Second sinks, custom cabinetry, a second oven or microwave, an island, decorative glass and stone tile, more storage space, better lighting and extra-wide wall tiles are among the most popular features in today’s homes.

6. Respect the “kitchen work triangle“. The No. 1 complaint about most kitchens is that they’re difficult to work in. The kitchen work triangle is that imaginary line between the center of the refrigerator, the center of the cook top and the center of sink. For maximum efficiency, the total distance of the lines that make up this triangle should be no more than 26 feet.

7. Keep it elegant. Focus on using materials and fixtures that exude quality, warmth, and timelessness. To create an elegant, more spacious look, consider marble or granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, adding more windows, mixing tile textures, sizes, colors, types (natural stone, ceramic, porcelain, glass), and embracing neutral colors and whites.

8. Reduce clutter. Everyone likes a spacious, clean kitchen. For many kitchens, the greatest challenge to achieving more space is cutting the clutter and hiding items that you don’t want to see such as stacks of mail, overflowing junk drawers and cabinets bulging with unused pots and pans. To achieve a less cluttered look, keep the refrigerator door clean, avoid placing appliances too close together and creating tight spaces that are difficult to clean. Use large wall tiles to eliminate grout lines. And add storage to free up valuable counter-top space.

9. Green is in and here to stay. When remodeling your kitchen, consider using fixtures that save water, replace old windows with new energy-efficient windows, and consider installing counter tops, wall tiles and flooring made from recycled materials, such as recycled glass mosaic tile or natural stone products, which act as a natural insulator. Finally, don’t forget to use the opportunity of remodeling to make space to recycle paper, cans & bottles.

Learn more at http://KeystoneRemodeling.com