What If the Kitchen . . . ?

Kitchen design Kitchen Remodeling Aug 14

When homeowners start thinking about how their kitchen could be more functional, more practical, more spacious, and more beautiful, it’s a good indication that it’s time for a remodel. It might even be past time! Many people tend to shy away from embarking on a kitchen remodel because the task can seem like such a huge, involved step. During the remodel, the kitchen will be out of commission for a period of time, the choices in finishes, fixtures, appliances, lighting, and hardware seem endless, and the expense can be a little frightening. So, the procrastination continues, time marches on, and the truth is that most homeowners don’t even know where to begin on a remodel, so they wait, and wait, and wait. After some time passes, they begin asking themselves again, “What if the kitchen…?”

An Important First Step – Choose a Kitchen Designer

Contacting a reputable, seasoned kitchen design professional in Utica and scheduling a consultation is one of the first, most critical, steps a homeowner can take in exploring the options available in any kitchen makeover. The consultation is free of charge, and the wealth of knowledge the kitchen designer possesses ensures that ideas and possibilities the homeowner may have never thought about are discussed, and a plan begins to take shape. Choosing a professional to help with the kitchen remodel will alleviate all kinds of problems, and there are plenty of excellent kitchen remodeling experts to choose from in Utica. A kitchen remodeling professional will help customers stay within their budget, and ensure the job is completed on time. Partnering with a firm that handles both the design aspect and the installation aspect is a wise choice, because everyone is on the same page, and communication flows smoothly between the customer, designer, and installers.

A Professional Will Help Avoid Mistakes

Kitchen remodeling experts are experienced professionals who have overseen a vast array of kitchen remodels, and they are instrumental in assisting the homeowner make the most logical choices. This ensures the homeowner ends up with a smart investment and a beautiful new kitchen – the kitchen they have dreamed of for years. A kitchen remodeling professional in Utica will save customers time and money because they know how to assist with the floor plan and layout. So many homeowners make the mistake of the “do it yourself” remodel, only to turn the project into a headache that won’t go away. Common DIY mistakes include wrong measurements, dead space between cabinets, countertops that are too long, or cabinet doors opening the wrong way.

Traffic Patterns are Critical in Any Kitchen Design

Kitchen tasks fall into three major categories. 1. Cooking (stove), 2. Prep, such as chopping and peeling (sink), and 3. Storage (refrigerator and cabinetry). Kitchen design professionals know that no element in the kitchen, such as an island or a barstool, should interrupt the flow between these three vital areas, which make up a triangle pattern.

Zones in the Kitchen

With kitchens becoming larger in the last few decades, the kitchen can also be broken up into zones. In the zonal kitchen traffic pattern, each zone is self-contained. For example, the baking zone should have everything needed to bake, (baking supplies like flour and sugar, cookie sheets, measuring cups and spoons, muffin tins, pie plates.) For practicality, the baking zone should be located near the pantry and oven. The prep zone would house everything needed to prep the food, such as knives, peeler, food processor, grater, trash bin, and garbage disposal. The cooking zone would include the cooktop or stove, pots and pans, skillets, seasonings, and utensils. Homeowners should never underestimate planning out the floor plan and traffic flow aspects of a kitchen remodeling project, because planning ahead with a kitchen design professional for functionality can make all the difference in the world, actually save time, and create a more stress-free environment for the family.

Storage in the Kitchen is Key

Getting accurate measurements for the cabinets and countertops for the remodeled kitchen is an important facet a kitchen designer in Utica can assist with. Guiding the homeowner with tips for allotting more storage space, keeping supplies more organized, or installing pullout shelving within the cabinets for ease of use are all suggestions a professional can make along the way to end up with the very best result.

Familiarity with Top Kitchen Trends

Partnering with a kitchen remodeling professional in Utica will allow the homeowner to stay abreast of new trends in kitchen design. Some of the latest kitchen remodeling ideas and trends that add both beauty and functionality to the kitchen include: using a contrasting color for countertops and cabinets; steel hoods to serve as an unexpected focal point in the kitchen; backsplash that matches the countertops to achieve a sleek look (excellent for displaying dinnerware or accessories); and the addition of double islands if there is enough space. Another feature some homeowners have never thought about is adding a prep sink in their kitchen, which professional kitchen remodelers in Utica often suggest for added convenience in preparation and clean up.

Kitchens are the Most-Used Room in the House

Working with a kitchen remodeling professional to design a kitchen that will suit multiple functions is the best bet in achieving the dreamed-of kitchen. Today’s busy lifestyles have changed the use of the kitchen from solely an area for meal preparation to more of a family room. People congregate with family and friends in the kitchen, and memories are made there, smack dab in the heart of the home.

Increasing a Home’s Value with an Updated Kitchen

Another advantage that comes with remodeling a kitchen is for resale purposes. Realtors are keenly aware of kitchen remodels being a major selling point in the re-sale of a home. Some homeowners fix up their kitchen in order to sell their house, but remodeling to get some enjoyment out of the kitchen prior to putting it on the market is a life-changing choice that people don’t regret.

Explore the Vast Array of Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

The kitchen remodeling ideas available when consulting with a kitchen designer are endless, and remodeling the most important room in the house brings a lot of joy and satisfaction to everyday living. In fact, kitchen designers in Utica comment that their customers more often than not wonder why they didn’t embark on their kitchen remodel sooner. Don’t procrastinate! Take that first step and contact a kitchen design professional for a free consultation today.