Kitchen Makeover Ideas
Sometimes you feel like your kitchen needs a makeover. You don’t have enough storage space. There’s not enough counter top area for you to prepare and serve meals so things get piled on top of each other to create the necessary space; or you may just need to open up the space that’s already there because it feels tight and cramped to work in your kitchen.
The first thing to consider is your budget. How much money do you have to spend on a kitchen makeover? Do you have some expertise so that some of the work could be done by you to save money on contracting work out to a contractor?
Once you have worked out the amount of money you can afford to spend, the next consideration is the kitchen design itself. Are you happy with the layout of the kitchen as it is right now and just need to upgrade the cabinets and flooring or do you need to start from scratch and come up with a whole new floor plan?
You might decide to go for an L-shaped kitchen or a U shaped design with a kitchen island in the centre for the extra bench and storage space. Speaking of storage, this is something every cook always needs more of so you need to consider making the most of your cupboards and cabinets. You might want to replace the lot with newer ones designed with shelf spacing and depth that allows more storage for the same amount of space.
Some of the cookie-cutter storage units available are designed to give much more storage space than older model kitchen storage units, so you can save money by getting these at a reasonable price, rather than getting them built by a contractor. This is an important consideration if you are watching your budget.
To maximise your space you may want to consider overhead shelving or cupboards; corner cupboards that open fully with appropriate shelving you can reach and that make the use of side hooks; as well as under the counter storage cabinets.
You can make use of bench space by having it double as an eating area, and having breakfast stools along one side. This is always handy for those on the run and then doubles as space for meal preparation and serving.
Don’t forget the all-important sink area. A double sink is preferable to a single sink so you can wash up on one side and rinse on the other. Having a drainage area either side of the sink is also a good idea as that gives room and space for washing and peeling vegetables; and plenty of space for pot cleaning and draining.
If you can’t make extra space in your kitchen you can create the feel of extra space by getting slimline cupboards and fittings. Painting the walls in a light color and having window treatments that let in plenty of light also creates a sense of space and can make a kitchen feel brighter and a lot more airy and open.