You’ve finally decided to take the plunge and design a dream kitchen, but in reality, what we’re talking about here is the kitchen of your dreams, not a dream kitchen. There is a basic distinction between the two and any professional worth their salt understands the difference. Professional kitchen designers and renovation companies recognize that your dream kitchen is the perfect combination of what you like and what works for you.
For most Canadian homeowners, a new dream kitchen tops the wish list of home renovations. Besides being a status symbol and showcase for the home, a kitchen remodel will revolutionize the functioning ability of the kitchen from food preparation to storage.
First, you have to figure out what you specifically like and take inspiration from kitchen photos that inspire and excite you. However, don’t get too bogged down in the details, leave that to the professionals who can set you in the right direction. You have to look at the big picture and really pick apart a few of your inspirational pictures to see what they have in common. Make a list of the top three to five things that you really like about these kitchens. With a good plan, a little imagination, and a professional kitchen designer, your dream kitchen can become a reality, even for homeowners that are on a budget.
The next step you want to take is to hire a professional kitchen designer who will work with you, evaluating your current kitchen. They will determine how it currently operates for you and your family and what needs to be changed to make it work better and become the kitchen of your dreams. They will ask the important questions to diagnose the issues regarding the current kitchen such as:
Your designer now has the nuts and bolts to design and build you a kitchen of your dreams that you will love and function in a way that will make your life burst with joy each time you walk into this spectacular space. This kitchen is your command center, so with all of those bodies in motion moving through this high traffic area, you’ll want to design an area with good traffic flow and abundant work surfaces for functionality.
You should listen to one of the tips by opening up your kitchen, making it feel bigger and cozier. On the other hand, any designer will tell you that an open plan can lead to chaos if your space is poorly organized. Your designer will work with you in deciding what your kitchen is used most for, cooking, baking, eating, entertaining, homework, bill paying, and so on.
The professionals will also tell you that today’s open concept kitchens have fewer walls, meaning less space for cabinets, but storage can be diverted to a kitchen island that provides room for multiple base cabinets, plus additional seating and work surfaces. Depending on the island size, you might even add a prep sink or cooktop with dedicated range hood. However, most professionals recommend that you don’t overdo the dimensions because no matter how gorgeous it could be, a massive island in a not-so-massive kitchen will be a problem.
The look of the modern kitchen has changed over the decades with a cleaner look. Many designers will tell you that transitional design straddles the line between the warm, detailed look of traditional style and the sparse minimalism of modernism with an uncluttered look that will not feel dated a decade down the road. Almost 70 percent of kitchen designers said they specified the new look on recent projects compared to 60 percent who chose traditional styling, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, an industry trade group.
Every homeowner wants to try and cut utility costs and appliances that meet the government’s Energy Star. From refrigerators to dishwashers, range tops, double ovens and in-sink-waste disposals, look for ratings in models that combine top-notch energy efficiency and performance. LED lighting is another way to transform your kitchen look while saving energy and money, claiming to have a lifespan of 20,000 to 50,000 hours.
The average kitchen remodel cost was about $47,000 in 2013, so work with your designer on how you’ll use most of your time in your dream kitchen, but prepare for the future when there are large family gatherings.
Your kitchen cabinets are going to play a big role in the transformation of your kitchen and your professional kitchen designer will discuss that with you. Many homeowners go with custom kitchen cabinets to match their custom kitchen design. So if you’re at the stage of choosing cabinets for your new kitchen design, contact our team of experts at Trends Wood Finishing and we’ll be ready to help with your kitchen cabinets needs.
*Oakville / Burlington Ontario
