Well-Designed Kitchens That Work

The kitchen is the heart if the home so a great deal of thought and planning needs to go into deciding what is needed in order to meet your needs. A kitchen renovation can be one of the most exciting and important changes you make to your home. A well-designed kitchen will give you enjoyment and efficient workspace for many years to come and add value and salability to your home. Kitchen renovations represent a significant investment, so the Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association offeres some advice to makesure you make the right moves.

Begin by visiting building suppliers, retail outlets and kitchen showrooms to find out what's available and get an idea of prices. However, kitchen renovations go beyond cabinetry and appliances. Talk with a professional renovation contractor in the early stages of planning to get a clear sense of the full scope of the work involved. Then you'll be in a good position to make informed decisions and choices. Here are some of the issues you and your renovator will want to discuss.

What do you want to accomplish?
This is a simple-sounding question, but one that your renovator needs to understand in order to give you the best advice. Do you need more storage and workspace? A new updated look? Better traffic flow? A quiet, bright morning breakfast spot? What bothers you about your existing kitchen? Often, renovators will ask you to describe your daily routine to determine the best design solutions to achieve your objectives, in and around the kitchen area.

Do you really need a larger work area?
The renovator will help you to assess your existing space. Older kitchens are often poorly laid out, with wasted space in corner cabinets, inefficient shelving and small counters with inadequate workspace. Can you gain the space you want from a more efficient layout? Can you run cupboards to the ceiling for storing seldom-used items? Would bigger windows or glass doors to the outside help to open up or brighten the area? When more space is needed, can you expand to another area of the home, or is it necessary to add on additional space?

Do you need help with design?
It's often difficult to see beyond what you already have, and you may not be aware of all the possibilities. Kitchen design has evolved a great deal in the past 10 to 15 years. Because they are involved in many different kitchens, renovators can provide lots of ideas and suggest things you may never have considered. They will be pleased to work with you to redesign your kitchen to meet with your current and future needs.

What work is involved?
Typically, a complete kitchen renovation involves more than simply changing the cabinets. It includes preparing the room, modifying the services and finishing which may include installation of cabinets, tile, flooring, trim and lighting.

During the first stage, your kitchen is dismantled and structural work -- such as stripping and moving walls, installing windows and/or doors, drywalling, and flooring -- is done. Electrical work may entail upgrading, including split receptacles for lighting and separate circuits for each appliance to ensure they conform to current electrical code requirements. You may have to add a sub-panel or your electrical panel may need upgrading.

Changing your kitchen layout may also mean moving the plumbing. Your renovator may suggest replacing old or corroded water lines to ensure good water pressure and to avoid future leaks.

How long will I be without a kitchen?
The work schedule depends on the scale of the project. A complete kitchen renovation typically takes about right to 10 weeks or longer if you are adding space or doing extensive renovations in adjoining areas. Your renovator will help you set up temporary kitchen facilities elsewhere in the house or they may suggest that you move your family out until the project is completed.