Buying a new kitchen can often be a confusing task. What style will I go for? What colour or wood finish do I like? Where will I buy it? It is often the most expensive purchase you will make for your home so it's important to get it right.
Here are a few tips:
• Ask yourself "What do I like and dislike about my current kitchen". For example, if you have a low level oven built in under the counter, but recently your back has been acting up, then it makes sense to build a new one in at eye-level. The less strain the better.
• Make sure you have adequate worktop space around the cooking area. It's vitally important to be able to take something out of the oven or off the hob and place it down straight away. If you have to walk with it there's a danger you will bump in to someone or something, leaving you with a casserole on the ground that only the dog will eat or one of your nearest and dearest screaming with burns.
• Make use of all the wonderful internal storage solutions. Pull out wireworks, drawer fittings and proper waste management can make life a whole lot easier.
• If you plan on putting an island or table in the kitchen, make sure you have plenty of room to walk around it. 900mm is the minimum space to leave but I recommend 1200mm. You need two people to be able to walk past each other without a fight breaking out!
• If you are planning an extension or building works, it's a good idea to design the kitchen before you start. That way you can plan the extension and window and door positionings around the kitchen and not the other way around. In the past I've seen people close to tears when they realise an island won't fit in or they don't have enough space for the fabulous overmantle they planned around their range.
Measuring your room
When getting a quote for your new kitchen or bedroom, it is always wise to bring along measurements of the room in question. So I've put together a quick guide for you to follow so that you're fully equipped when visiting a supplier's showroom. In the diagram shown you will see that it is best to measure the full room so that the designer knows what space they have to work with. This is especially important when an island unit or table and chairs have to be planned in.
All you really need for this is a tape measure and with a graph paper you shouldn't have any problems. Just remember also that you should take note of any obstacles such as pillars and if its a retro fit take note of where you have any plumbing, sockets and cooker switch (especially if you don't want them moved).
Easy? No worries, you will get it right, just make sure you reserve enough time for this job and you will do well. Good luck!
This article was written by Colin Byrne of KitchenIndex.ie - top kitchen directory in Ireland - listing kitchens Ireland - fitted kitchens companies, kitchen appliances, kitchen designs, and kitchen units.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colin_Byrne
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