For many people, the focal point of any house is the kitchen. In this light, it is no surprise that the kitchen is one of the most popular choices for a remodel. The first step in a kitchen remodel is the design plan, and it is also the most important.

Your Kitchen Design Resources

Kitchen plans can be acquired through several means. There are three ways to obtain a kitchen design:

1. The best option is to visit a cabinet store that will design your kitchen for free. Our company has expert kitchen designers, and we will be more than happy to design your kitchen. You can be as involved as you like.
2. Another option is to design the kitchen yourself. Available for a small fee, there are many architectural software solutions that are built with the average homeowner in mind, easy to use and understand. The only drawback to designing your own plan is the time involved.
3. The third way to obtain a kitchen plan is through a spec drawing reseller. Many websites exist that sell premade plans for a fee, but the customization options are limited. The last option is to hire a professional architect. This is the most expensive option, but is also the easiest and will often get the best end result.

Creating your kitchen plans with personal software allows complete transparency of the entire process. For example, you will be able to see the plans as they develop and print them out for future reference. During the process, you will be able to add visual enhancements to the kitchen plans, such as color and tile design.

Your Plan of Attack

Before you make any decision on how you want to create your plan, make sure you have a clear objective to the remodel. It is dangerous to begin without a definite initial purpose, go off track, and go over budget, all resulting in an unsatisfactory outcome.

With concern to the purpose of the remodel, make a list of primary needs. This can range from an entirely new layout, to something as small as new countertops. Then, draw up a budget and remember to stay focused on it. By making a budget and creating the plan around it, you will find it harder to lose focus and overspend.

Your Dream Kitchen is Detailed

Lastly, when creating a kitchen plan, remember that it is also possible to design the items that go into the kitchen as well. Look into carpentry plans to build personalized furniture, e.g. tables, chairs, and cabinets. Also, proper timing will ensure that the furniture is constructed at the same time as the remodel, enabling a seamless transition.

Have you ever gone to a kitchen showroom, found the perfect set of kitchen cabinets, only to have to double check the dimensions of your kitchen? Walking into a kitchen showroom without the necessary information can be a real time sink. Here are four simple things that all kitchen designers need to design your perfect kitchen:

Ceiling Height

Knowing the ceiling height is important because it will determine what the height your wall cabinets are going to be. If you have a lower ceiling height, you have to have shorter wall cabinets in order to have enough space from the countertop to the bottom of the wall cabinet. This ensures that you have enough space to work with.

Back Wall Dimensions

Back wall dimensions are important because it’ll allow your designer to know what size kitchen cabinets can be fitted along your wall or walls.

Appliance Sizes

Appliance sizes have standard sizes, but many of them vary depending on manufacturers, brands, etc.

Window Size and Placement

Knowing where the window is will allow the designer to omit wall cabinets where the window is, ensuring a more accurate estimate.

1. Go Independent

The best way to get cheap kitchen cabinets is to choose an independent cabinet store that doesn’t merely carry brand names. Do you want to pay brand name prices for the same cabinet? Chances are, many independent cabinet stores are can get you a great price, sometimes as little as 20% the price of Kraftsmaid or Mill’s Pride cabinets. You can, many times, haggle at these stores and get close to their wholesale price, so definitely try to get a better deal.

2. Know Your Quality

The main thing to look for is the cabinet box. Although Kraftsmaid offers 100% wood cabinets at an high cost, most cabinets have the wood frame and door, while the rest of the box is 1/2″ plywood (aka “5-ply”). Avoid getting MDF, a type of compressed wood backing for the cabinets, since these can sag after a while.

Some cabinets come from China, but the wood is still top quality because it’s gathered from their respective countries and is shipped to China for manufacturing. Many of these cabinet factories keep up-to-date on the latest innovations by Kraftsmaid, such as soft-close or fully extend-able drawers. Be sure to check them out and see what things they use, such as their new hinges or dove tails.

3. Ask for a Discount

Discount kitchen cabinets are usually shipped in containers and require assembly. The cabinet stores will assemble them before they sell or install them, but some stores will give you a discount if they sell you the cabinet before assembly. An experienced contractor can put these cabinets together.

4. Find These Stores

Look at the classifieds, the Yellow Pages, or a local advertising paper. “The Advertiser” is a popular advertising journal in San Francisco.

If you aren’t sure of the kitchen you want, head over to our gallery to learn about cabinet styles and other accessories you can get.

So, what do you do? Do you run to every department store that you can and price shop? Do you stick to one trusted store and let them decide for you? Or, do you do a bit of research beforehand so you walk into the store fully aware of what you’re looking for? Regardless of what you do, the experience can still be fun and exciting!

Here are a few ways to get the most out of your appliance shopping experience:

1. Make a list of what you must have.

Perhaps you want a fridge with a TV attached, or maybe you’re looking for an in-counter stove. There are literally thousands of different appliances for you to choose from, so make sure that you know exactly what you’re looking for.

This will save you a ton of time at the store as well as headaches down the road. Rather than have the salesperson sell you on your appliances you may find yourself happier to approach the sales staff with an idea of what you want and the reasoning behind it. It could turn a three hour process into a matter of minutes.

2. Visualize everything.

My wife went crazy when we were appliance shopping. She even went so far as to post pictures of the various appliances in their future locations. At first I thought that she had finally fallen off the deep end, but I then came to realize that she was simply visualizing what the new appliances would look like.

This can be great for determining whether or not you want to use brushed aluminum or tinted glass as your material of choice, or it may form your decision about multi-level ranges.

3. Don’t be afraid to spend.

So long as you don’t break from your overall budget, don’t be afraid to spend a bit more money than you normally would. These appliances will be part of your home for at least the next several years, so you might as well at least like the ones that you’re buying.

Generally, if you feel that you cheaped out, there’s a good reason to believe that you won’t be terribly satisfied with your appliances when they make their way into your home. Sometimes it’s better to eat the cost difference and really be happy with the purchase that you made.

4. Don’t buy what you think you want.

Buy what you really want! If you’re in the market for a gas stove, why would you buy an electric one? Get what you want or you’ll wind up regretting it later!

The Different Types of Hardware

See hardware as the necessary compliment to your cabinets and main kitchen items as opposed to small nuances and additions to your kitchen. Small details, such as cabinet handles or towel racks, can completely change the look and feel of a kitchen. It’s just like if you were to change the wheels on your car it would make a very noticeable difference, yet it’s still the same car.

The most prevalent types of hardware are:

Handles

Handles for your cabinet doors, drawers, and even the doors in or near the kitchen are very important. You also have a lot of choice here- you can get everything from handles shaped like cutlery to contemporary designs to art deco. There is definitely something out there for everyone, so don’t be afraid to look around until you’ve found a design that you like.

Towel racks and hooks

Your kitchen needs washcloths and towels readily accessible. These towels will need to be hung on something, and that something can help shape the look of your kitchen. Again, you have many options here: stainless steel, brass, contemporary, plain… the options are literally limitless.

Spice racks

Adding a spice rack is a really cool way to add a certain amount of flair to a kitchen without having to spend a ton of money. $200 or so (including the cost of the spices) can get you a unique spice rack that not only shows off your mastery of the culinary arts, but also acts as a unusual centerpiece within the kitchen.

Light fixtures

This is probably something you’ve thought of. Light fixtures are very important in shaping the overall ambiance associated with your kitchen. Along with the physical appearance of the light fixture there will also be the type and amount of light that it gives off.

A powerful light fixture can let out a ton of light, whereas one that is a bit softer by design may be a bit more subtle. Which one is right for you kitchen? That depends entirely on your design tastes and personal preferences. I personally prefer fixtures that are capable of bright light but are also easily controllable via a dimmer switch or multi-stage light switch.

That being said, here are six reasons why your kitchen is the most important room in your home:

1. Everyone uses it.

Your bedroom, unlike your kitchen, has the advantage of being relatively private. Not everyone uses your bedroom, yet everyone in your household (including guests) will use your kitchen daily. A bit of TLC and some fresh design ideas could really spruce your kitchen up, and if your kitchen looks a little dated perhaps its time for you to inject some lift into it.

2. It’s functional.

Other rooms in the house may have a more general purpose, but the kitchen is only one thing: the kitchen. A bedroom can be a playroom or a workout room, just as a garage can be a car hold or a shop. Your kitchen, however, will always be a place to find food, eat your meals, and sneak a snack every now and then. Where else in your home (besides the bathroom) will you find a room with a clean-cut purpose?

3. It’s a centerpiece.

Have you ever wondered why all of the renovation shows really focus on the kitchen and bathrooms? It’s because they are internationally known as centerpieces for the home. The cleaner, more luxurious, and more modern they are the greater the kitchen’s appeal.

There’s certainly something to be said about the atmosphere that a beautiful kitchen creates within a home. Suddenly you are no longer simply having breakfast so much as enjoying the first meal of the day in the warmth of the morning sun. A simple change, such as new hardwood floors or granite countertops, can make all the difference.

4. It’s a necessity.

Some rooms, such as game rooms or dens, are optional in the sense that they aren’t necessary for the proper function of your home. You can get by without those kinds of rooms, but a kitchen is something that you will always need. Where else will you store your beverages or entertain guests?

Having a kitchen that is modern and well equipped is a godsend when entertaining company. Efficient stoves, a reliable fridge, and an excellent dishwasher can make cooking a pleasure as opposed to a chore.

5. It’s beautiful.

Who doesn’t appreciate the subtle beauty of elegant kitchen cabinets accented by beautiful countertops?

6. It’s universal.

No matter where you go in the world it’s an almost certainty that the homes of the locals will have a kitchen. Consider it an international landmark.

1. It goes great – Everything goes well, nothing gets broken that shouldn’t be, and no one gets hurt. This is the best case scenario when you are playing demolition man.
2. It goes brutally – Someone gets hurt, something gets broken, and generally mistakes are made. The long-term implications of your actions aren’t completely clear, though it was pretty obvious when your kitchen cabinets fell from the roof because the bracing had been tampered with (read: severed by an errant jigsaw).

As you can see, demolition obviously isn’t as easy as swinging a sledge hammer and hoping that you hit a wall. It’s about careful planning, flawless execution, and attention to detail. It’s also about getting the job done without getting hurt.

Having Them Do It vs. You Doing It

Many people opt to do their own demolition because they think that it saves them money. In some cases this may very well be true, but in actuality it simply is not the case. Unless you are a contractor you should let the contractor do the demolition, as there are many variables involved that most people wouldn’t even both to consider. Some contractors will even refuse to allow you to do your own demolition, while others won’t car at all.

* You’re doing it – So long as you are aware of the implications and costs associated with doing it yourself, great! There’s no better way to feel accomplished and satisfied with yourself than by taking part in something big, and remodeling your kitchen certainly falls into that category.

Make sure to allot yourself plenty of time to get in done correctly, and also make sure that you know where to start and where to finish. Homeowners tend to break more than they needed to, and when it comes time for clean up they realize the mistakes that they’ve made. This also brings to light my next point: cleanup is a royal pain in the behind.

Be sure to go through after and pick up any errant nails, staples, pieces of debris, etc. as you probably won’t be a very happy camper if you put a nail through your foot.
* They’re doing it – Allowing the contactor to do the clean up is probably the biggest benefit associated with having the contractor do the demolition for you. Of course, any problems or mistakes that come up are also on their dime, not yours.

I don’t know about you, but it’s definitely worth the extra few hundred dollars to not have to worry about the hassle or labor of doing it yourself.

And, failing anything else, it’s just one less hassle you have to worry about.

Doing It Yourself Does Not Save Money

You may be a do-it-yourselfer, and to be honest that’s an excellent trait to have. However, you are not saving money by doing your own demolition. You are using your time, your resources, and your physical labor to do it.

More importantly, however, is liability. Something almost always gets broken, damaged, or taken a bit too far during the demolition process. If (and when) that happens wouldn’t you rather the contractor have to worry about fixing or replacing whatever was broken?

Everything, that is, except for your old appliances: the cream beige fridge, matching microwave and stove, and the pale yellow dishwasher. True, these old appliances have served you well and may still function, but ask yourself: am I really happy with these old machines?

Invest the Extra Money and Save Down the Road

Since you’re remodeling why not order a new stove and fridge? There’s certainly no reason not to, and unless you really can’t afford the money you’re actually making an investment. If you ever plan to sell your home matching appliances will dramatically increase the overall appeal of your kitchen, and hence the appeal of your home.

Even if you don’t plan on selling you can still appreciate having new appliances: everything works, heats up quickly, looks great in your kitchen, and is now covered under warranty. Along with a great aesthetic boost to the appearance of your kitchen you also get the added security and comfort of a warranty.

Once you’ve decided to come to your senses and buy some nice new appliances you’re going to need to get rid of the old ones. Here’s a list of the best things to do with your old appliances:

1. Make a bar in the basement

Move the microwave and the fridge downstairs and make yourself a bar or a snack lounge! There’s nothing better than having easy access to some ice cold drinks and a quick way to make snacks.

Buy a nice TV, a water cooler, and surround sound and you may never leave the basement.

2. Give them to the homeless

Come on, what homeless person doesn’t want a fridge? By giving your old appliances to local homeless people you are helping them become established, and hence you are also giving back to the community.

Just kidding.

3. Recycle them

This is certainly the most environmentally conscious way to approach the task of disposing your old appliances, and it’s also a very simple task as well. Simply search for local recycling depots or companies that accept old appliances.

In many cases you can simply take them to the dump and the dump will ensure that it gets to where it needs to be.

4. Sell them

If your old appliances are in good working condition you may find a few bucks by selling them. Pair the whole bunch up in nice price and watch it sell. It certainly doesn’t get any easier than that.

I inevitably had to ask him about cost. Specifically, is it possible for someone to experience all of these cool new trends without having to spend a ton of money to get there? He laughed – at first I didn’t quite understand why – but after a few minutes he realized that I was serious.

The resulting conversation was one that made complete sense once I realized what he was trying to say.

Remodeling and Cost Cutting: A Match Made in Heaven?

As he explained, there are some things that can me marked down in order to reduce costs, and there are other things that cannot be substituted or ignored. Your appliances, for example, can be price-chopped by simply choosing inexpensive appliances. Will you be satisfied with the lower cost appliances? Maybe, but they still function and they did save money.

When it comes to something a bit more intricate, such as the custom forming required for concrete countertops, the last thing you want to do is to try and cut corners. He explained it to me like this: if you were to build a car you would have tons of options that would affect the overall product. Some may affect reliability, while others may affect performance or economy. Choosing the least expensive options generally results in a product that doesn’t last too long (think the Hyundai’s of the late 80s).

Yet, put some emphasis and a bit of foresight into your product and it can literally be transformed (think of Hyundai today). The same applies for your remodeling, and this contractor was obviously not a fan of cost-cutting.

Cost Cutting Costs You Money

This may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s true: cutting costs now will cost you much more money down the road. If we were to go back to our car analogy, imagine needing new tires. You could either buy a new set of quality tires, or you could cut some corners by buying used tires. When all of the tires give out on the highway it’s a guarantee that you’ll be kicking yourself for choosing the cheap way out.

When a contractor starts to cut corners (either because of pressure from the client or in an effort to reduce costs) you are essentially compromising the integrity and strength of the finished product. If this product is your countertops, for example, don’t you want to know that it’s been built right? Cutting corners now may mean problems down the road, and there’s nothing more frustrating than having to repair or replace something that was just done.

Stay smart and make sure that it’s done right the first time.

Dust. Mold. Grime. Bacteria. Fungi. Things collecting in your cabinets, in the corners, nooks, and crannies- the places that your eyes don’t see and your fingers don’t touch. The very places where you place your food, dinnerware, and plate ware. This is the cause of illnesses, infections, and poor health. And, unless you’re prepared to get down and dirty, it’s not going anywhere.

If you’ve decided that the time has come for you to clean your cabinets it’s probably not a moment too soon. The amount of bacteria and other microscopic infestations that can flourish in your cabinets is nothing short of sickening, and without proper warning you can become ill as a result.

So, what can you do?

1. Remove all cutlery, dinnerware, and food from the cabinets in question.

Place everything on your kitchen table and run all the dishes through the dishwasher. You’re going to want to sanitize everything at least every couple of months, and that includes the utensils that you eat from and the plates that you eat off of.

2. Arm yourself.

You’re going to want to have every possible tool at your disposal to make cleaning your cabinets an easy and stress free experience. Do not use anything abrasive (steel wool or scrubbing pads), as you don’t want to scratch and scuff your cabinets.

You will need some kind of disinfectant (I use a solution of bleach and water), a cleaning agent (soap and water tends to do it for me), and some soft cloths and sponges. Make sure that everything is prepared and ready to go - cleaning your cabinets can quickly become an all-day experience if you aren’t thoroughly prepared.

3. Strip the cabinets.

Take off the doors and mounting hardware and ensure that everything is thoroughly cleaned. Having the mounting hardware/doors removed will make it easier to clean those individual pieces as well as the interior of the cabinets.

The fewer things that you have in your way the easier this job becomes.

4. Scrub the place down.

Get rid of all of the sticky gunk with the soap and water solution and wipe off the cabinet surfaces with a dry towel after. Once you have thoroughly dried everything it is time to disinfect. I prefer to use a spray bottle and spray a 60/40 water/bleach combination and then wipe it off with a wet towel (followed by a dry towel), though you may find it preferable to use a commercial grade disinfectant.

The key here is to make sure that no bleach is left over on any surfaces- you sure don’t want to be eating that! Also, do not forget on top of the cabinets.

5. Disinfect everything.

Leave no stone unturned! Make sure that every single crevice has been disinfected. If you don’t the bacteria/germs will simply regroup with time, forcing you to take on this project again. I prefer to do two “passes” with the disinfectant to make sure that I got everything.

Once you have sterilized the dishes it is then okay to place them back in the cabinet.

You’ll want to really clean everything at least once every few months. Remember to make sure that you are scrubbing everything off fairly regularly, and when the time comes for a serious clean/disinfection your job will be that much easier.