Practical Kitchen Renovation Advice
Posted on: 12 October 2022
The ambience and look of a new kitchen may be at the forefront of people's minds when undergoing home renovations. This focus is understandable, as the kitchen is often the centrepiece of a house. As well as planning the aesthetics of the space, consider its practicality. Here are several tips to ensure your kitchen is a pleasure to use.
Open Floor Area
When designing a floor plan, it's easy to get caught up in the components you want to add, such as the cabinets, benchtops, and appliances. Getting these elements right will enhance the room's design and functionality. However, don't forget about the open space and free floor area, which are equally important. You need enough space to open the dishwasher and for people to move freely around the kitchen. What's enough room depends on how many people will potentially use the area at once. Having enough space will also help give the room a relaxed ambience.
Upkeep
An enjoyable part of designing a new kitchen is incorporating your favourite material on the counters. As well as the cost and look of different materials, consider the upkeep they require. For example, while timber benchtops are beautiful, wood needs regular oiling or sealing for protection. Other materials such as stone and concrete can require a coating of sealant every so often. This adds to upkeep and increases ongoing costs. If you want a countertop that you don't have to finish after it's installed, you could consider laminate or engineered stone.
Cleaning Cupboard Doors
The cupboard doors are a major component of the kitchen. The lower ones, in particular, can become coated in fingerprints and marks and require constant cleaning. So think about how the various finishes compare. Shiny, polished cabinetry tends to highlight fingerprints, especially if it's a dark colour. A more matte finish will be more forgiving.
Additionally, flat-profile doors will help as they don't have contours that collect grime, so they're easy to wipe off. Weigh up the pros and cons of various door options. For example, you might install soft-push doors that don't require handles. This choice will mean you won't have handles to clean around, but the doors will be pressed in all different spots. Doors with grooves along the top avoid this problem, but the channels tend to capture grime and need wiping.
Electrical Outlets
When planning your new kitchen, consider where to put the electrical outlets. If you're constructing a kitchen island, outlets on this structure will let you recharge laptops and phones. What small appliances, such as toasters and coffee makers, will require plugging in and where do you plan to use them? Thinking about these factors will make your kitchen more convenient.
For more advice about home renovations, contact a local company.
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