Home > Kitchen Contractors > Let Your Old Kitchen Design Layout Help Inspire New Kitchen Design Ideas

Let Your Old Kitchen Design Layout Help Inspire New Kitchen Design Ideas

The size and scope of your new kitchen design layout will depend largely on personal preference and available funds.  Whereas a kitchen renovation checklist that itemizes the type new kitchen design ideas to include usually begins with an assessment of the family needs and lifestyle.  As well as an evaluation of the present kitchen floor plan design.    

Taking critical inventory of your present kitchen with the aid of a kitchen renovation checklist is a good first step toward creating the ultimate kitchen floor plan. This helps homeowners omit aspects of old kitchen design layout features that don’t work.  To make room for new kitchen design ideas that will.

Kitchen counter tops are a great place to start.  First, because they are highly visible.  Secondly, kitchen counter tops are an integral part of every kitchen and get daily use. And thirdly, nearly every homeowner (especially those who spend lots of time in their kitchen) dreams of owning the optimal kitchen counter. 

Whether for aesthetic or functional purposes, kitchen counter tops are so important they can make or break a kitchen.  Besides appearance, material type, and maintenance requirements of various types of kitchen counter tops, consider the amount and type of use it is likely to get. 

Also consider the optimal kitchen counter design and surface space required to best suit your needs. Note: granite kitchen counter tops are becoming more affordable for the average homeowner; available in a nearly limitless variety of styles, colors, and patterns.  Along with sandstone, granite is considered by many to be high on the optimal kitchen counter list.  Stone kitchen counter tops, however, are heavy.  Many economically-priced kitchen cupboard designs (including those using pressboard) make poor companions.  Given time, they may sag under the weight of a stone counter.  In addition, coupling inexpensive-looking kitchen cupboard designs with expensive-looking kitchen counter tops is not aesthetically appealing.  

Other ways to evaluate your present kitchen floor plan design for great new kitchen design ideas:

• Does it match your lifestyle?  If not, make sure new kitchen renovation plans fit the needs of your family; how you work and exist in the kitchen.
• How about kitchen lighting; does it meet your needs?  If not, incorporate better-suited kitchen lighting options into your floor plan.
• What about storage?  Is there enough space in your present kitchen design layout to store kitchen-related items?  Tip: for the most functional kitchen floor plan yet, link storage areas with various work stations.
• Do you like the “mood” of your present kitchen (romantic, efficient, sophisticated, or relaxed)?  If so, duplicate it.  If not, create a new one.  Use not only textures, styles, and colors to create the right new kitchen floor plan design ambiance, but kitchen lighting options, as well.  Note: as important as kitchen lighting is, it is one of the most overlooked aspects of new kitchen renovation design.  Many new modern kitchen designs combine different types of kitchen lighting options; for atmosphere as well as safety and visual needs.  Ambient kitchen lighting options provides illuminating light for the entire room, while task light can be used to spot treat only specific areas.  Use accent kitchen lighting to highlight key features or items in the room.  Recessed kitchen lighting options and under cabinet kitchen lighting features are especially popular.

What about kitchen work triangle design, if one exists?  If the upcoming kitchen remodeling floor plan alters much from the present, a new kitchen work triangle design strategy might be required.  Note: The kitchen work triangle design, created for work efficiency purposes, joins the essential elements of the kitchen for mealtime preparation and cleanup; sink, stove, refrigerator.  An effective kitchen work triangle design need not be a perfect 90-degree triangle.  Consider the L-shaped kitchen design layout.  Although it normally utilizes a kitchen work triangle design, it is rarely uniform.  And some kitchen remodel designs such as the corridor kitchen design layout do not utilize the triangle at all.  According to kitchen remodel Seattle expert Jimmy Mai, sales manager for Allied Marble (a Washington-based supplier and installer of solid stone counter tops, tile, and more), new modern kitchen designs focus more on what the owner finds appealing.  Some forgo the kitchen work triangle design entirely.

Although the heart of current remodeling trends is to reflect the homeowner’s unique style, there are specific features common to new modern kitchen designs. For instance, scaled-down commercial grade appliances, stainless steel appliances, and integrated appliances that blends with cabinetry.  Multiple kitchen lighting options and a stacked modern kitchen cabinet design utilizing mixed sizes.  And unique upper kitchen cupboard designs that include material or glass inserts on doors.

Many new modern kitchen designs also feature European styling, concealed hinges, and bronze, pewter, or antique brass hardware with hand-rubbed finishes.  Along with sandstone, marble, or granite kitchen counter tops and functional kitchen floor materials that are as durable and easy to clean as they are beautiful.

Jimmy Mai of kitchen remodel Seattle based Allied Marble, Inc. cites additional current kitchen design layout trends.  Including:

• Incorporating one color stone for surrounding preliminary kitchen counter tops, with a coordinating color for the island.
• Eco-friendly green features – including green flooring, kitchen counter tops, and backsplashes.
• Man-made stone countertops, especially for persons who love to cook!  Although initial cost may run higher than other options, durability and longevity make it popular; even for a kitchen remodeling on a budget homeowner.  Man-made stone kitchen counter tops are scratch/stain/heat resistant, impervious to household cleaners, and low maintenance.  Many come with a 15-year warranty.  Note: White Cararra Marble remains most popular; a long-standing classic that never seems outdated!
• A sitting/eating bar incorporated into the kitchen floor plan design.  Easily achieved for kitchen remodeling on a budget homeowners by adding an over-hang to a work island or kitchen counter top.

Finally, prioritize desired kitchen renovation design features.  This is especially important for the kitchen remodeling on a budget homeowner.  Deciding beforehand which new kitchen design ideas take priority will help twofold.  To ensure that kitchen remodeling costs are kept in check, and features most important to the homeowner aren’t compromised on.  Regardless if cost for materials run higher than anticipated, or unforeseen additional expenses arise.

A good rule of thumb when prioritizing your kitchen renovation checklist is to put focus on kitchen design layout aspects that represent the most practical and long-term investments first.  For instance, proper kitchen lighting and kitchen counter tops best suited for family needs.  Followed by “dream features” to include if funds allow.  For instance, an over the sink bay window, or work station on wheels.

Once you have compiled a kitchen renovation checklist of new kitchen design ideas, use the web to enhance it.  Post your kitchen renovation design ideas online at kitchen remodeling/design forums, or even Twitter.  Why?  To collect feedback from homeowners and professionals world-wide.  For the best collection of new kitchen design ideas possible!

Add to your kitchen renovation checklist the right kitchen renovation design expert for the job.  One is a click away, right here at HandyAmerican.com.  Whether for a kitchen remodel Seattle based project, or a new kitchen floor plan design Chicago way.  It’s easy…and services are free!

<<--Back to Home Improvement Tips and Articles Main Index