Small kitchen design: planning to make optimal use of the available space

Today’s kitchen is the processing center of the home and the focal point of the house. Redesigning a small kitchen means creating a practical space that includes solving a combination of puzzles for this area that has become the central gathering place of the home. Plus, you’ll want to create a kitchen layout that you, your family, and your guests will love to be in. All the basic functions of a kitchen, a preparation area, an area for cooking and cleaning, and the presentation of appliances should find their place in your new Design layout of small kitchen

One should not be under the illusion that there will be a huge amount of work ahead in the implementation of the redevelopment of a new small kitchen. Start by simply setting up a place to collect photos, magazine clippings, and lists of items you want to see in your dream kitchen. Visit kitchen showrooms, kitchen centers and take note of your preferences and tolerances for color, texture, design style, type of cabinets, etc. Set some goals for the use of your new kitchenette. Why are you renewing? What works and what doesn’t work in your current kitchen? The average kitchen design lasts around 15 years, so your choice of finishing materials should have longevity.

Your budget will drive the scope of your new small kitchen design. As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t spend more than 10% of your home’s value on a new kitchen. Expect to recoup 80-90% of your original investment when you resell it. Choose everything on your wish list to define your budget and compare it with the available resources. This will give a reality check to determine the limitations of the project. Add an extra 10% to the upper range of the budget for the unexpected, and note what you’re willing to give up to stay within budget. Pay attention to labor-intensive design features, such as laying small ceramic tiles on kitchen countertops.

Increase your budget to engage the right professionals. Do your research to find professional contractors and/or architects if structural work is needed. Look for referrals from professional affiliations, recommendations from friends, and representatives from home improvement stores. Establish a well-written contract to help avoid costly mistakes and misunderstandings. The professional you hire should be familiar with the building codes in your area. Once hired, communicate well with your subcontractors to help them understand your space constraints and allow them to better plan their facilities to be more effective with their time and money.

Before work progresses, express consideration and alert your neighbors to your plans, as this will help them weather the temporary inconveniences ahead. Clean the kitchen. Set up a temporary kitchen in another location with a microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, and a water fountain. As you pack up the kitchen, clearly label your boxes to make restocking easy. In the meantime, discuss the daily routine with your contractor; Establish storage areas for deliveries, designated work areas, and usable restrooms for workers. Be available for questions either on site or by phone from the contractors.

In the final days of the renovation, write down the items that need to be completed, set a date for the final walkthrough, and make a to-do list before final approval. Have realistic expectations of the overall result. Ideally, the project will finish within the budget and time allotted. Final decisions should be based on value and quality, not price. The complete small kitchen design should complement your home and fit seamlessly into your lifestyle for years to come.