Most new houses today come with a good kitchen plan, but you may to add, change or in some cases, re-do the whole plan of your kitchen to more closely suite your personal needs. However, before you start, you may want to keep in mind some or all of the following guidelines:

Always have the plan of your kitchen with you.

When you go to pick your cabinetry and meet the kitchen sales person you should always have your plan with you. The more information you include on your plan the better. You want to make sure that the overall size; window and door openings, switches outlets and existing plumbing are all noted. You may also want to take note of ceiling heights and any alcoves or difficult corners you may have.

*In most cases, you should call ahead and make an appointment before hand or else you may end up waiting a while.

Always have a budget in mind

It is quite important that you have a ballpark figure of what you intend to spend on your kitchen. Keep in mind that any upgrades may impact your budget. This will help to determine the direction to go that will best suit your needs. This may mean different hardware choices, wood types, style of door etc… This will also save a lot of valuable time for everybody.

Check the doors for craftsmanship

Is there any cracks or chips, spaces or gaps in the doors? Are they all lined up properly or are some uneven. Can you see streaks in the finish? This can all be a sign of a quality control problem and you should be concerned.

Check to see what type of design service is available

Look through their portfolio of previous kitchens they have done. Do they offer a design service and ideas, or do you tell them exactly what you want. If this is the case you may want to have some assistance in the design process.

What does the Quote include?

Does it include hardware, counter-tops, & installation? Sometimes when there is extra cabinetry involved there may be an extra installation charge (I strongly recommend having the cabinets installed by the kitchen company. Even if you have a very skilled carpenter, If a cabinet does not fit, or gets dropped, this is the companies responsibility and will be replaced as opposed to you having to replace it). The quote will generally include these things discussed above but will not generally include things like tile backsplash, electrical or plumbing services or appliances.

Make a list

Be sure to be clear about what you want.
Make a list that includes: what type of storage do you want (glass shelves, pantries, drawers, pots and pans, 30″ or 40″ high upper cabinets etc…) Read more…

No room in the house has greater impact on both home value and family life than a well-designed kitchen. Getting there isn’t always easy, but with a bit of vision, a realistic budget and a lot of planning, your dream kitchen is within reach. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Make lists and gather resources

Every good kitchen renovation starts with a wish list. Include both the materials that you’d like to use, and the functions that you’d like the space accommodate. Will you use the room strictly for food preparation, or do you crave a space to entertain? Do you have any special storage or prep requirements, like an oversized pantry or baking centre? Do you love the look of granite or do you need the maintenance-free qualities of man-made counters? Do you need custom cabinetry, or will off-the-shelf suffice?

Start by gathering ideas from magazines, showrooms and homes that you admire. Create a folder where you can collect inspiring ideas, and your dream kitchen will unfold before your eyes. Think of all of the materials you’ll eventually need to select: cabinets and counters, flooring, backsplash, sink and faucet, appliances, lighting fixtures, handles and knobs. And don’t overlook what’s behind cabinet doors, like pull-out pantries and drawer inserts.

Draw your plan

The kitchen is often the hub of both family and entertaining life, so it’s important to get it right. Start by sketching out how you’d like your kitchen to flow and where you’d like all the pieces to be once the project is complete. Consider those specialty areas (are your plates extra-large, are you a baker or canner?), that you might like to include. Are there walls that can be removed to open the kitchen to adjacent rooms? Is there a window that you wish was a bit larger, or a door that you’d like to replace to bring in more natural light? Now is the time to consider all of the possibilities and work them into the plan.

Don’t forget the importance of the ‘work triangle’ – the golden rule of kitchen planning. The triangle consists of your main cooking centre (the range or stove-top), the refrigerator and the primary sink. You must create a clear path between each of the three legs of the triangle, and no single leg should be more than 7-feet long.

In the plan, leave ample room between counters and the appliances across from them for doors to open, or for people to pass by. Think about your comfort as you move around the room or reach into corner cabinets. Allow for enough continuous counter space to prepare on, and space on either side of the sink or stove to rest dishes and hot pots. Think of all of the things you wish were close at hand while you prepare a meal, and create a spot for them. Now is the time to remove any inefficiency in your current kitchen and ensure that everything has a place.

When in doubt, consult professionals to make sure you’ve covered all of the options in both layout and materials available to achieve your dream; and Bon Apetit!

Tired of the heat that your under-cabinet lights emit? Imagine having sufficient bright light as you perform your tasks on your countertop with almost zero heat. There’s been a breakthrough in LED technology that’s already happened in the commercial sector that is now making its way into more and more homes. And homeowners who have LED lighting under their cabinets are thrilled with their performance.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are solid-state semiconductor devices that convert electrical energy directly into visible light. With no moving parts, there is nothing to break, shatter or leak contaminates into the environment. Unlike most fluorescent sources, LEDs contain no mercury and emit no ultraviolet rays or infrared heat.

The incandescent light bulb is wasteful: 95% of the energy it consumes actually produces heat while only 5% produces light. LEDs require very little energy compared to incandescent or halogen bulbs resulting in significantly lower energy costs for the user. And since nearly all of the power to an LED is converted into light, that means minimal heat is given off.

LEDs last longer than other light sources. Unlike conventional light sources, LEDs don’t dramatically burn out and cease to function. High quality white LED light sources still have 90% light output at 9000 hours and can retain up to 70% of light output after 50,000 hours. In light usage terms, this translates into more than ten years!

While the upfront cost is higher than conventional lighting, the savings in replacement bulbs and electricity bills will offset this cost over the life span of the LEDs, without even taking inconsideration the tremendous benefits for the environment.

Up to now, there have been challenges in three areas in the development of LED lighting: producing the right colour, producing enough light and optimizing thermal management. All these have all been addressed. These lights are also aesthetically pleasing. Here is a photo from a recent kitchen installation that illustrates the effect of the under-cabinet strip LED lighting. The light in this space is emitted from 12 single watt lights … that’s 12 watts compared to at least 100 watts from three conventional puck lights.

LEDs are for the present, not just the future

An overview of the literature available on this topic finds that LED lighting in the kitchen is heralded as the trend for the future. Progress in LED technology continues at an increasing pace. Efficiencies and light quality are improving with ongoing development of standards and reductions in cost. But, with the new, high quality products available on the Canadian market, substantial energy savings and the positive impact on the environment can be achieved today. If you’re planning a new kitchen renovation in the near future, I highly recommend that you investigate LED lighting for your under-cabinet lighting needs.