McManus Kitchen and Bath provides a single place where you can work with interior design and construction professionals who can help you create a happy, healthy home. We start each project with a Design and Budget Consult. It will help you clarify your design ideas, understand the remodeling process and create a Good Better Best Budget for your project. Click Here to Schedule a Consult
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Elements of A Good Kitchen Design
Kitchens are complex and creating a great kitchen design takes experience and training. First of all, good design is more than just putting cabinets on the wall and arranging your appliances. Good design takes into account how each person uses the kitchen. Basic design standards are modified to suit individual needs and flexibility in the design to accommodate changing needs.
Because so many builders are not experts in kitchen design they often leave it to the end. Usually when they are in a hurry to get the project done. As a result many kitchens are not designed well. As part of our cabinet refacing and kitchen remodeling business we see a lot of kitchens. It seems like most of them have some serious design issues.
If you are planning on remodeling your kitchen consider hiring an experienced professional. They will spend time with you to analyze how you use your kitchen and come up with the the best design.
Important Dimensions to Consider When Remodeling
For most people who are remodeling the floor plan of the kitchen is not going to change dramatically. That would involve moving a lot of walls, plumbing and electric service. That could impact the design of other rooms as well. Most people will keep a similar layout, perhaps removing a wall to open up the kitchen to a living area.
What you can do is make sure your kitchen layout follows standard design dimensions. You can also add function through the use of organizers and cabinet modifications. The images below outline some basic design dimensions to consider.
Common Mistakes:
Squeezing in an island
Islands are super functional and a great addition to a kitchen… if there is room. You need a minimum of 42 inches between your perimeter cabinets and your island and 48 inches
Bar height vs Overhang
The height of your bar dictates the amount of overhang you need for your counter tops. The taller the bar top, the less overhang you need.
Landing Areas
You should have at least 18″ of counter on either side of your sink and stove, 24 inches is better.
Vent Hood
Kitchen ventilation is more important than most people realize. Your vent hood should be 6 inches wider than your stove top and be at least 2/3 as deep as your stove. Invest in a quality vent hood but avoid over doing it. Installing a hood with too much air flow can create problems as well.
Thank you for reading! If you think refacing cabinets is the best route for you check out our process
Paul McManus
Certified Residential Contractor, CRC1331326
