One of the trends in kitchen design is a savvy combination of form and function called universal design. Born out of efforts to accommodate the disabled, universal design concepts are now applied to kitchens for all sorts of users- – and it involves far more than simply lowering all the counters to wheelchair height. It […]
Now that you’ve made some decisions about the scale of your kitchen design project, you can put your ideas on paper. Whether you’re planning a cosmetic makeover or dreaming about an addition, drawings let you experiment with different layouts and force you to get down to the details of how the pieces of the project […]
The goal of any kitchen design layout is to make the cook’s work easier and, where possible, to allow other people to enjoy the same space without getting in the way Understanding the accepted kitchen design standards can help you determine whether your present layout is sufficient or if your kitchen needs a radical layout […]
Appliances Any drawings you make of your kitchen should include all of the major appliances, as well as space allowances for the safe and comfortable use of each unit. If you’re buying a new appliance and don’t know its size, you can use the standard dimensions given in Table 1. Keep in mind that most […]
Building codes are locally enforced laws that govern building construction and renovations. They exist for your safety, and if your remodel involves anything more than refinishing the surfaces, chances are there are codes you’ll need to follow. Your kitchen drawings probably won’t include all of the structural and mechanical elements governed by the applicable building […]
Guidelines for Plumbing If your new layout calls for changes with the location of the sink or if you’re adding an additional sink or dishwasher, you’ll need to extend your water supply and drain and vent piping. Extending plumbing lines for a new kitchen is generally easy and inexpensive, but there are some exceptions. For […]
Now that you’re familiar with the basic principles of kitchen design, it’s time to put pencil to paper. You don’t need artistic skill to create useful drawings, but it helps to have some patience and a few tools and materials: Tape measure 1/4 – in. graph paper Tracing paper Pens or pencils in a few […]
Finishing touches, such as adjusting cabinet doors and hardware and filling nail holes on woodwork are normally done by a carpenter, but you can do this work yourself. This also gives you a chance to inspect the work and bring any problems to the attention of the contractor before you make your final payment. Cleanup […]
Hiring contractors Once you’ve identified what kind of help you need, the next step is to find qualified professionals, interview them, check their backgrounds and references and formalize your partnership with a legal contract. Begin by focusing on the trades that constitute the most important and complex aspects of your remodeling project. A skilled custom […]
Conducting the Initial Interview In your initial phone calls to prospective contractors, your goal is to create a short list of those suitable for further consideration and to exclude those who don’t fit your needs. For example, you may quickly disqualify some because they aren’t available when you need them. You may also intuitively sense […]
