A Sample Checklist Before Your Kitchen Remodel Begins

You are ready for a new kitchen and cannot wait for the remodelers to come in and start ripping out all those old cabinets and counter tops to replace them with something newer, more elegant and far more functional. Before they do arrive though take one last look at your kitchen design plans, as there are several factors that homeowners can often overlook, especially if they have done much of the planning work themselves.

Some points you should definitely consider in your review of your kitchen remodel include the following:-

• Is there going to be enough room to open all the drawers and cabinets in your new kitchen properly?
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• Is there going to be adequate counter top space between the sink, stove and refrigerator?
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• Is the microwave going in right place? If there are kids in the house is it low enough for them to use safely?
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• How well will your new kitchen flooring match with that in adjoining rooms?
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• Do you have enough lighting planned? Under cabinet lights are often overlooked but they are incredibly useful in most kitchens and really should not be forgotten.
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• Is the work flow between all the appliances going to be smooth? Transit between them all, including the dishwasher should be as easy and clutter free as possible.
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• Will you have enough storage space?
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• Are you really happy with the overall design plans?

If, after you have asked yourself all these questions, you are still happy with the planned design that is great, let the work commence.  However if you have any nagging doubts, even if the kitchen plans were drawn up by a kitchen remodeling expert, voice them now.  Changing something mid project can be an expensive headache and derail the project's timeline by days or even weeks. It is your kitchen, your money and ultimately it is up to you to make sure that the design is exactly what you wanted it to be.

Unique Ideas for Your Kitchen!

Unique kitchen remodeling ideas do not have to be out of this world. In the world of designs and styles, people tend to experiment on things just to come up with something unique. The idea is to create unique kitchen remodeling ideas based on existing materials and use them like they had never been used before.

Here's how:

1. Themed concepts

If you want to have unique kitchen remodeling ideas, you can start with themed ideas. Maybe you would want that classical kitchen design back in King Arthur's palace. With this, you need to come up with more wood designs that are based on mahogany or other wood types that depict classical era.

You may also incorporate futuristic theme by using the elements of stainless steel. Kitchen counter tops that are made of stainless can be the first factor to consider.

2. Color combination

One of the factors to consider when coming up with unique kitchen remodeling ideas is trying to combine colors. Most people are afraid on color combination thinking that one color may not harmonize or blend with the other. But that is what the whole idea is all about. It is the contrast that makes it more unique. As far as the contrast is not that absurd or simply unpleasing to the eye, you can combine as many colors as you want.

3. Lighting

Good, remarkable lighting can emphasize a certain design in your kitchen. By providing accent lighting, you can draw attention to your original displays or extraordinary architectural designs. The idea is to focus things that will liven up your kitchen area.

4. Layout

Unique kitchen remodeling ideas can be directly proportionate to the layout of the cabinets and other features in the kitchen. The way you have created the layout will bring out your fresh ideas.

5. Customized cabinets

Another factor that will impact the way you create unique kitchen remodeling ideas is the customization of kitchen cabinets. Innovative storage ideas will put a great impact on the way you want to conceptualize unique ideas in your kitchen. Your own design will definitely bring out the freshness of your whole idea.

Kitchen Design Ideas

As many people begin downsizing the rest of their home into more manageable and affordable sizes, the opposite has happened for kitchens!  In modern times, kitchens are being designed as the primary living space of the home, where the family comes together to work work and socialize.  The kitchen is no longer simply a space for cooking and eating.  These were just a few of the observations noted by kitchen designers Mary Jo Peterson and MaryJo Camp, and architect Doug Van Lerberghe in a January 13 session on “Reinventing the Kitchen” at the International Builder’s Show in Orlando, Fla. They offered these timely tips for creating kitchens that shine in today’s market.

1.  Sinks are now becoming the "prep" areas of the kitchen rather than just for dishes.   Try and upgrade to two sinks if possible to allow two people to work simultaneously.

2.  Universal design for kitchen to make it functional and accessible is a trait that everyone can appreciate.

3.  Use the space in your kitchen wisely to allow for better functionality, don't try to cram "luxury" features if it is not feasible.

4.  Going green in your kitchen design with items such as energy star appliances will  help you, the homeowner, save!

5. Try growing an herb garden or small vegetable garden on the window sill for organic and local food!

6. Splash some color on unique parts of your kitchen to add emphasis and personality.

7. Try new colors in your kitchen that you may not be used to, it can add even more fun and personalizes space to your kitchen.

8. Try different contrasts such as light/dark or smooth/texture to add dimension to your kitchen.

9. Remember that when you are designing your kitchen make sure that you make changes that can easily be swapped out later and for long-term investments try to go more neutral.

10. Give your kitchen a feeling of openness and warmth by using warm colored and metallic finishes.

11. Make your kitchen simple, traditional never goes out of style!

12. If you have a certain special element in the kitchen make sure it stands out and isn't competing for attention from other elements.

13. Function, function, function! Your kitchen really should incorporate functionality as a cornerstone of the design.

14. Make your kitchen mobile; for example, use an island that is on wheels to help make a kitchen bigger if it needs to be.

15. Use appliances that can handle more than one task at a time.

16. If you are on a budget, pick the things you want most and put the majority of the money into those and leave the smaller budget for the less unique aspects of the kitchen.

17. Always look for savings when designing your kitchen!

18. Lighten up your kitchen by adding windows or a skylight that can help create a more welcoming atmosphere and happier space in the kitchen!

19. Embrace designs of nature in your kitchen, nothing is better than being one with nature!

20. Splurge on the design elements in your kitchen you want, small expenditures to make your kitchen better are always worth it!

For more information on design elements for your kitchen click here!

A Kitchen Remodel Can Renew the Life of Your Home!

Sometimes your home may start to seem boring, lifeless, even unbearable.  The easiest way to renew the life of your home and make you enjoy being there again is to remodel the kitchen.  You would be amazed at how much life can be added to you home simply by remodeling the kitchen!

One of the best strategies of increasing a home’s value is by remodeling its kitchen. The cost of kitchen remodeling however, can cause a glitch in your plans. But, before going through with those plans, what are your reasons remodeling your kitchen? To increase your home’s value for resale or for efficiency in the kitchen? No matter your purpose, kitchen remodeling can increase the value of your home.

There are many factors that can affect your planned kitchen remodeling. They all depend on your needs. But, in order to get the best results especially if you are on a budget, it is always advisable to seek professional contractors to do the job for you. Not all contractors are expensive; some if not most of them can work with your budget. Working with a professional contractor can even make kitchen remodeling fun and cost-effective.

When remodeling your kitchen, you need to determine certain things that can improve the value of your home based on your purpose. If you plan on getting a much higher price when selling the house, you should make sure that the design and color will fit the taste of most home buyers. But, if you are remodeling with the thought of using your kitchen for many years to come, you can choose any design or color that you want.

Thinking About the Color Scheme of Your New Kitchen?

Color selection and color schemes are important aspects of kitchen remodeling or any home improvement project for that matter. But your planning your kitchen's color motif is an inexpensive yet effective way of changing the mood of the area. Home improvement stores in Tampa have so many selections of kitchen remodeling essentials to choose from, which makes your task a lot easier. The only thing to remember is to choose according to what you have.

Colors have their own meanings and can elicit feelings and emotions without you being aware of it. This is why when you're remodeling your kitchen, know which shades to use and avoid in order to have a kitchen that embraces you whenever you're in it.

Small kitchens should generally stay away from dark colors because they tend to make the room look even smaller. If you need to put in a dark shade, best to use them on your kitchen cabinets (brown/wood, deep red, dark blue, charcoal gray) or the flooring (wood floors, maroon ceramic tile, etc.) Also, go for simple, unadorned cabinets to steer clear of a cluttered look.

Standard-sized kitchens can basically choose any color they want for their cabinets, floorings, counters, and equipments. One way of stepping it up a notch is by adjusting your lighting. If natural light has access to your kitchen, you can compliment this by choosing bright colors like yellow and whites. However, if you get limited natural light, best steer away from dark colored walls to keep that light ambiance. But here is one remodeling warning from a Tampa interior decorator: stay away from stark white colors on everything (kitchen cabinets, counters, tiles, frig, everything!). White on everything can be associated to hospitals which is a very unpleasant for some. If you must, choose off-white shades.

Kitchen Remodeling Rules

When you begin to think about remodeling your home, it's easy to go overboard, tackle too much, or overspend. By following a few simple rules, you can avoid those difficulties. Here are some things to think about--even before you begin your remodeling project.

1) Anticipate Your Budget Going Over- 9 times out of 10, your remodeling project is going to go over budget because of unexpected expenses. Especially when you are working on your kitchen, you will typically find your ultimate cost to be about 25 percent higher than your original estimate. The same 25 percent figure also applies to the amount of time it will take to complete the project.

For example, if you have decided to spend $10,000 to remodel your kitchen and give yourself five weeks to finish the job, you can generally expect to end up spending about $12,500 and seven weeks on the project. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but one thing experienced remodeling professionals have learned--always expect the unexpected.

2) Research Everything- Do lots of research concerning the materials you will be using and the specifications of each product. Go to your home improvement store to get test paint color samples. They should be knowledgable about current trends and the latest products on the market. Don't assume that the big box stores are going to have the best prices. Even though they have the buying power, you can find the same extra products online for a lot less because they don't have the overhead of the retail stores.

3) Don't Put Off The Small Items- Once you've decided on your main components, don't forget to spend time on the small things, as well. It's easy to get caught up focusing on the big ticket items, but it's often the interior design details, like trim, accent colors, and hardware that really make a remodeling project come to life.