Cool and Innovative Kitchen Ideas
By Kait Downey
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Innovation is not always a new fancy gadget or appliance for your kitchen. Have you ever considered that your layout may be the most important part of your work space? As an Interior Designer I divide kitchens into two categories, and believe me, being in either of these categories carries no shame. There are the cooking enthusiasts or those interested and then there are the entertainers. Entertainers are looking for aesthetic only; the microwave is their best friend. The cooking enthusiasts want function. Here is how you can have both!
First of all figure your work triangle. The work triangle consists of your sink, refrigerator and range top. These three items are the major functions and therefore should not be more than 9'-0" apart from each other. If you were to draw a line from the middle of the sink to the middle of your refrigerator and then connect to the range you should have a triangle. The purpose is to keep the cook within a range that is comfortable for food prep and cooking obviously. I, personally, like to put the dishwasher to the left of the sink when possible. I also like to elevate the dishwasher and put it in a built in floor to upper cabinet. This not only keeps me from bending to load but the unloading process is much easier. The sink is centrally located most of the time. When it is not I do my best to locate the range and refrigerator within the constraints mentioned above.
Another innovative idea would be to install a floor heating system to keep your kitchen warm in the cold winter months. Not everyone likes the idea but when you consider that the average kitchen is open these days, the heating system will save you some electrical bill nightmares. I also like to incorporate fluorescents under the cabinets for task lighting and now days energy saving bulbs here will help give the kitchen a designer glow without the fuss of incandescent.
Benches with pet supply storage and built-in closets that look like pantries are just a few of the features we include for our clients. One suggestion we make is, if you cannot afford it now, plan ahead by leaving the space for that future appliance in the cabinets when the cabinet maker is making his/her installation. This will allow you to put a level one appliance in its place so the space remains functional and pleasing until you make that purchase. Also adding trim to cabinets and base moulding to the floor helps really make the kitchen look expensive without breaking the bank. For those that truly want that designer look and won't settle for less we have an option for that too.
In today's economy we like to do what is called phasing. A plan of which a kitchen or bath is executed in phases. This allows the client to make choices that are pleasing and pay for the process in steps instead of all at once. This eases the pocket book and doesn't leave the space disastrous. People can assume that designers will cost you more money than doing the job yourself. This is a myth. Interior Designers can broker your project out to the best vendors and build it at cost. You will pay for our services but you will also save the money that you would have spent at the big box store. The time and labor is usually cut in half, so take those factors into consideration when you renovate your kitchen.
First of all figure your work triangle. The work triangle consists of your sink, refrigerator and range top. These three items are the major functions and therefore should not be more than 9'-0" apart from each other. If you were to draw a line from the middle of the sink to the middle of your refrigerator and then connect to the range you should have a triangle. The purpose is to keep the cook within a range that is comfortable for food prep and cooking obviously. I, personally, like to put the dishwasher to the left of the sink when possible. I also like to elevate the dishwasher and put it in a built in floor to upper cabinet. This not only keeps me from bending to load but the unloading process is much easier. The sink is centrally located most of the time. When it is not I do my best to locate the range and refrigerator within the constraints mentioned above.
Another innovative idea would be to install a floor heating system to keep your kitchen warm in the cold winter months. Not everyone likes the idea but when you consider that the average kitchen is open these days, the heating system will save you some electrical bill nightmares. I also like to incorporate fluorescents under the cabinets for task lighting and now days energy saving bulbs here will help give the kitchen a designer glow without the fuss of incandescent.
Benches with pet supply storage and built-in closets that look like pantries are just a few of the features we include for our clients. One suggestion we make is, if you cannot afford it now, plan ahead by leaving the space for that future appliance in the cabinets when the cabinet maker is making his/her installation. This will allow you to put a level one appliance in its place so the space remains functional and pleasing until you make that purchase. Also adding trim to cabinets and base moulding to the floor helps really make the kitchen look expensive without breaking the bank. For those that truly want that designer look and won't settle for less we have an option for that too.
In today's economy we like to do what is called phasing. A plan of which a kitchen or bath is executed in phases. This allows the client to make choices that are pleasing and pay for the process in steps instead of all at once. This eases the pocket book and doesn't leave the space disastrous. People can assume that designers will cost you more money than doing the job yourself. This is a myth. Interior Designers can broker your project out to the best vendors and build it at cost. You will pay for our services but you will also save the money that you would have spent at the big box store. The time and labor is usually cut in half, so take those factors into consideration when you renovate your kitchen.
For more tips or to check out some of the renovation work we do please visit us at http://www.ckdinteriors.com/.
CKD Interiors is a residential and commercial firm located and working in Dallas, Texas. For more information please go to http://www.ckdinteriors.com/
CKD Interiors is a residential and commercial firm located and working in Dallas, Texas. For more information please go to http://www.ckdinteriors.com/
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Great, these are really useful and wonderful ideas.The outcome of Home Staging is setting free and presenting the home off to its full potential.
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