Remodelling Your Kitchen
Remodelling your kitchen can be a daunting task, but it’s also one of the most rewarding projects you’ll ever undertake. If you’re thinking about knocking down walls, installing units and completely changing your floor, appliances, cabinets and countertops, you may want to consider hiring a professional interior designer who can help you with both the planning and execution.
Here are a few tips to help you create the kitchen of your dreams:
-Before tearing everything down, think carefully about the space available and what you want to do with it. Is storage space an issue? What kind of design are you looking for? What would you keep and what would you get rid of? Is everything in the right place or does everything need to be re-arranged? Proper planning is indispensable to achieving the best possible outcome.
-If space allows, consider installing a kitchen island. Besides the obvious advantage of adding food preparation and storage space to your kitchen, it also has great aesthetic appeal. Consider adding seating so it can also become a dining area, perfect for entertaining guests or having breakfast with your family. The materials, colours, shape and size you choose for your island kitchen can have a significant impact on your kitchen’s vibe. Use a non-conventional shape to make it more interesting and dynamic. If you want to create impact, use extra-large countertops. Illuminate the counter with pendant lights. They work well as both task and ambient lighting. Use bold materials and go wild with stylish but functional fixtures and hardware. If storage is your thing, install drawers and cabinets.
-Choose the right lighting. Given that this is the space where you (and your family) spend much of your time, this should be a top design consideration. In addition to the style and shape, think about each fixture’s function. Recessed lighting fixtures are perfect for creating ambience. Under-cabinet lighting is important for workspaces (i.e. counters and sink). You can also add accent lights to highlight open shelves or dark corners.
-Add character to your kitchen by changing the tiles between the countertop and cabinets. There are many different styles to choose from. Ceramic tiles are best because they’re moisture resistant and durable, but you can also consider glass, metal or stone. The important thing is to pick a style and colours that reflect your personal taste.
-Get creative with floor patterns. Textured tiles are great to add a warm tone to your kitchen, while hardwood patterns can give it a stylish, contemporary feel. If you’re considering alternatives to wood, vinyl and laminated flooring can be good options. They’re easy to clean, last longer, and can easily be mistaken for wood.
Remember, if you’re thinking of doing a complete makeover, get a professional interior designer who can help you with ideas, optimize the space available, put a detailed plan and budget together, coordinate the project, and see it to completion.
images by AD
