If you plan to start a kitchen remodel, advance planning helps a lot in making the right decisions. As always, the kitchen remains the heart of the home, a space of intense activity, but also of family reunions. Today, the kitchen is not just the place where you prepare food, but it can also become a space for entertaining guests and where the entire family gathers around the same table to share a meal.
1. The triangle rule
The kitchen requires a practical design that gives you quick access to any appliance, dish or utensil. Here comes the triangle rule or the rule of three, which means that you should be aware of three main elements: the refrigerator, the stove and microwave (or the oven) and the sink. The kitchen triangle, as researchers from University of Illinois discovered in 1950, is the space where most activities take place. This theory states that the ideal distance between electronics should be the following: no less than 3.9 feet and not more than 8.8 feet. Also, the three sides of the triangle should not total more than 26 feet. The triangle rule gained sympathizers both among remodeling professionals and among consumers.
2.The stove and the kitchen hood
Neglected until recently, the kitchen hood became a necessity when it comes to kitchen ventilation. In short, during food preparation there are a series of processes involved that emit odors (especially fried foods, roasts and stews).
You can have proper kitchen ventilation with kitchen hoods which usually allow direct discharge of polluted air outside. They are placed above stoves. There is an ideal choice in terms of physical size of the kitchen hood: both length and width must exceed 2-4 inches above the margins of the stove.
The casing should be cleaned periodically with detergent for any residues, on the inside and on the outside. It’s also necessary to replace the filters whenever you find that they have become dirty (clogged), especially if you feel a rancid odor in the kitchen hood area. Therefore, it would be wise to have some spare filters. When choosing the position of the stove, consider the location for the kitchen hood. Surely you don’t want the escape route to cross an entire wall. It’s neither aesthetic nor practical!
3.The countertop
The space between the stove and the sink represent the countertop, acting as a buffer space between them. The countertop should be rather thick, as it helps you avoid messy situations like water in hot oil but it shouldn’t be too large, because the road from the sink to the stove shouldn’t turn into a journey.
Ideally, the kitchen countertop should be resistant (to not deteriorate in direct contact with a heat source, for example a hot pot) and keep its appearance for a long time. A good countertop has an extremely long lifetime, it’s very easy to maintain and it doesn’t require special treatment.
Wood countertops are heat resistant, as long as they are made of hardwood, like oak or maple, and the surface is treated to resist moisture, steam and high temperatures. The main advantage is that it adds some warmth in the kitchen.
4.The refrigerator
It’s one of the main elements of the triangle rule, when it’s placed correctly according to other objects around it. Avoid having the refrigerator in a moist area, to prevent accidents because of the power supply.
Position it away from heat sources, as high temperatures can damage its cooling or frost function, it can raise the energy consumption and the circuits may suffer. Also, don’t have the refrigerator too close to the wall. It’s very important that behind the appliance there’s a small gap, so that air can circulate. Lastly, don’t place it near a window because the sun will make the internal temperature of the refrigerator rise.
Inset appliances offer more space in the kitchen. Having appliances incorporated into furniture will optimize your space and you have the items you need at hand. However, this is also a trick that allows you to move freely in the kitchen without tripping on any object that could stand in the way when you’re cooking.
5.The kitchen sink
Although it seems simple, it’s still important to choose the right sink. Specifically, you should consider the following factors: functionality, comfort and appearance.
Consider the dimensions of the space where you place the sink. The material from which the sink is made of is a very important aspect that you need to refer to. To avoid problems in the future, opt for high quality materials. If you want a dishwasher, save it a place right next to the sink.
6.Maximize the space
To use the maximum space, more storage is needed. By their mere existence, kitchens must house a lot of things from food to food preparation utensils and increasingly more appliances.
Use suspended cabinets or use the empty space above the usual cabinets, where you can place boxes with things you don’t use frequently. Choose sliding drawers with storage spaces of different sizes, suitable for a wide range of items and ingredients.
7.The kitchen lighting
The kitchen is a place where you can’t afford to have weak lighting. It’s not just a matter of design, but also one of safety, especially when it comes to handling utensils for food preparation.
In small kitchens, spots located under the higher cabinets can create the visual impression of more space. In large kitchens, lighting can be more than a useful feature. For example, the dining area can become the centerpiece of this space by marking it with the help of suspended lighting fixtures.
The following work areas must be very well-lit: the countertop, the sink and the stove. Above the table it’s not recommended to put a stronger bulb, choose rather one to two spots or a dimmer for dimmable lighting.
The Good Deal Remodeling team is specialized in home remodeling projects, especially kitchen remodel and bathroom remodeling. You can contact us to tell us what you have in mind, and we will make sure that you will have the kitchen of your dreams.