Remodeling a kitchen and bathroom is an exciting adventure that many homeowners, like you, look forward to. However, the majority of them don’t realize that there are several very important aspects to take into account before the renovation actually begins.
When you sit down to design a kitchen or bathroom with our professional designers, we recommend that you consider the following kitchen and bathroom remodeling tips:
Eliminate Wasted Steps
Think about how and where you use kitchen items or bathroom things. Example for the kitchen: Store breakfast foods and bowls near the breakfast table. Keep wraps and plastic containers in one handy spot near a work surface for wrapping leftovers. Locate dishware and flatware near the dishwasher to ease the process of unloading.
Design Wide Walkways
Paths throughout a kitchen or bathroom should be at least 36 inches wide. Example for the kitchen: Paths within the cooking zone should be 42 inches wide for a one-cook kitchen and 48 inches wide for a two-cook configuration. Example when planning, adjust kitchen islands and peninsulas accordingly and when planning for remodeling the bathroom know where your vanity, toilet, and tub should be located and have enough clearance between the toilet and other fixtures for cleaning and you are following up the county and state code.
Direct Traffic
Example for kid-friendly kitchen designs, keep the cooktop out of traffic areas so children don’t catch handles and cause spills when running through. Also, make the refrigerator accessible to both passers-bys and people working in cooking and cleanup areas, for the bathroom know that floor and bath and tub area is clear for direct traffic to all the area.
Find the Right Height for the Appliances and Bathroom Fixtures
Example for the kitchen the best height and location for a microwave oven depends on the chef and the degree of kid-friendliness desired in the kitchen. For adults, 15 inches above countertop level is a good microwave height. For kids, a below-countertop setup might be safer and more suitable, and for bathroom vanity, make sure that the height is adequate for people that use it, along with the towel rack and other things on the walls.
Stay Clear of Corners
For the kitchen, to make cabinet and appliance doors fully functional, plan space for the door’s clearance and swing direction in your kitchen design. Keep appliances away from corners, and make sure doors won’t bang into each other if open at the same time, for the bathroom make the best use of the corner not to use the cabinets for complication.
Determine the Island’s Function for the Kitchen
When it comes to kitchen islands, form follows function. If you want to cook and eat on kitchen islands, plan enough space so the cooktop is safely separated from the dining area.
Plan Landing Space
When designing your Kitchen or Bathroom, allow 15 inches of countertop on each side of a cooktop and refrigerator for the kitchen remodeling and for the bathroom remodeling minimum of 12" on the left and right side of the vanity sink if possible. Example for the kitchen remodeling landing space is also important near the microwave.
Consider the Countertops
For the Kitchen remodeling, those who cook frequently require more counter space — ideally between the range and sink — than those who cook infrequently or who prepare simple meals. Incorporating two countertop heights makes baking easy and helps kids who are involved in meal preparation, for the bathroom remodeling the material that will last you long and is resistance to heat, cold and humidity.
Plan for Plenty of Plug Outlets and a Linen Closet
Install multiple outlets along the backsplash and on the island so you’ll have electricity wherever you need it for the kitchen remodeling and linen closet for the towels and other supply that you need for the your bathroom remodeling.
Cut Cleaning Time
Careful design decisions make cleaning easy. Glass refrigerator shelves catch spills that wire shelves let through. Flush-set or under-mount sinks don’t have a crumb-catching rim to worry about. Matte finishes don’t show dirt as much as glossy ones do; same thing goes for the bathroom remodeling design.
Break Up Cabinetry Blocks
Avoid boring, heavy blocks of doors and drawers by adding interesting details such as glass doors and display shelving. Or try wine storage or windows.
If you are ready to build the Kitchen and Bathroom of your Dreams, schedule an appointment with us for a FREE written estimate today by calling 301-602-1842.
In the meantime, feel free to check out our Kitchen and bathroom photo gallery.
