The Ultimate Kitchen Design Guide
Even if you’re working closely with an interior designer or a kitchen design firm, understanding what goes into a kitchen design is an integral part of the process. Before working with a design professional, it’s helpful for you to understand the different components that go into the planning stages of designing a kitchen to ensure the process is as seamless as possible. If you have a kitchen redesign planned soon, read on to learn more about everything that goes into a kitchen design project. Make a List of What You WantAssess your current kitchen, and make a list of all the missing features and functions. For example, if you entertain often, perhaps you need an additional prep sink or a second dishwasher. Or, if you love getting the newest kitchen appliance, you may need extra storage to conceal these larger appliances. If you have a busy household, maybe you need warming drawers built-in to the cabinetry to keep everyone’s meals warm. Or, if your family tends to gather around the island, perhaps you need more creative seating options. Whatever you feel like your kitchen is missing, write it down. It’s easier to scale back than add to your list once the design process begins. Set the BudgetNo matter how high-end your kitchen is, every project has a budget. This will make the project easier to design and implement, giving your designer better insight into selecting materials. Plumbing, electric, appliances, materials and labor all go into the kitchen design budget. To cover any unexpected costs, it’s wise to build in an extra 10-20% into your overall budget. Visualize the LayoutWhile your design professional will create the layout for you, it’s your job to thoroughly think through how you use your kitchen. For example, if you and your partner like to cook together, you’ll need ample space for two cooks. If you have younger children who like to be in the kitchen with you, you’ll require plenty of room to move around. The working triangle is a long-standing guide to laying out the kitchen. This means the sink, refrigerator and oven range are in a triangular shape and help create a more seamless cooking experience. Factor in LightingDon’t let lighting become an afterthought. As you plan the layout and cabinetry design, consider where you want light sources. For example, you’ll likely want recessed lighting in the ceiling in addition to pendants over the island. You may also want to include sconces and picture lights into your design to add a visual element. Think Through the CreativeGathering as many inspirational photos as possible is the best first step to take so you can start to shape your kitchen’s design vision. Whether you prefer white, colored or natural wood cabinetry, selecting the cabinet color is the best place to begin to determine your kitchen’s design aesthetic. The cabinet color will help guide your decisions on the wall color, flooring, the countertop material and shade, the backsplash material, the hardware finish and the lighting options.
How to Stage an Unused Basement
What happens when you’re getting ready to stage your home and find yourself grappling with … gasp … an unused basement? For a home that’s staged to the tenth degree and set up to showcase its gleaming marble and lavish entertainment spaces, a basement that’s sitting empty is kind of a downer. Here’s how to show off its potential to buyers: Mimic a guest suite. If you have the space, why not subtly suggest to potential buyers that the basement could act as a nanny suite or opulent guestroom? Set up a bed, a reading nook and a small bistro or seating area, and maybe even a cocktail bar or coffee cart. Suggest the perfect spot for a home cinema. Make buyers see the space as a potential place to kick back and enjoy some cocktails and a Netflix marathon, especially on a snowy or rainy weekend. Some well-placed armchairs and a flat-screen TV might get their imaginations going. Bonus points if you set out a coffee table with a bottle of wine in an ice bucket and some snacks. Upgrade your laundry. Sometimes the best thing to do with a large-scale unused space is to turn it into the laundry room of your dreams. Buyers put a lot of stock into laundry rooms that are both functional and pleasant to be in. So splurge on full-size appliances, upgrade the flooring tiles and make sure to include plenty of space for folding, hanging and storage.
3 Affordable DIY Projects
It can be overwhelming to consider the time and money that goes into a full-blown home renovation. But you don’t have to break the bank to change the look and feel of your home. A fresh coat of paint, and a visit to Pinterest can do wonders for a tired space. If you’ve got an afternoon to spare, these are some quick, easy and cheap options to spruce up your home. Punch up your walls with some wallpaper. Looking to brighten up a bland beige room, or lacklustre bathroom? There are dozens of affordable and attractive removable wallpapers on the market to choose from. Simply pick a design that speaks to you, and spend an hour or so applying it to the desired location. Before you know it, you’ve created a whole new space without breaking a sweat (or the bank.) Consider adding some floating shelves. It can be hard to find the right place to display all the photos and knick-knacks you’ve been accumulating over the years. Instead of letting them sit at the bottom of boxes or bookshelves, use them to create a dynamic space by installing a few floating shelves. One or two in the entryway, with the right curated collection of objects, can lend a whole new sense of style to an otherwise boring space. Two words: Gallery wall. Sure, you’ve got all of your most recent travel photos on your Instagram, but when was the last time you actually sat down and looked through them? Gather together a few of your favourite shots, plus some simple black frames, and arrange them on a wall of your choosing. It’ll brighten up your room, and act as a great conversation starter at parties.
Categories
Recent Posts
