Kitchen

Through the years kitchens have evolved  from being a small room in the back of the hose to being the focal point of the home. Today's kitchen designers are confronted with creating an open kitchen plan that is part of a great room including the kitchen, dining and family rooms.

Kitchen design takes into consideration such questions as:  Which architectural style will guide the transformation of  the space? Cape Cod, Farmhouse, Dutch Colonial, Saltbox, Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival, Eastlake, Queen Anne, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Craftsman, Foursquare, Prairie, Art Deco or Modern. What types of appliances will your new kitchen need? You must choose from different models and brands of: refrigerators, cooktops, wall ovens, built-in ovens, dishwashers, disposals, freestanding ranges, freezers, hoods and vents, hot water dispenser, ice makers and microwave ovens to name a few of the key kitchen appliances. What kind of lighting will the new kitchen have? Some choices are: natural lighting, accent lighting, ambient, and task lighting and what types of bulbs will you be using: fluorescent, incandescent or quartz halogen. As you can see,  kitchens have evolved over the years, but so has the myriad of  choices and decisions to be made.

Whether you are planning a new kitchen or remodeling an existing kitchen there are some project considerations to keep in mind if space permits, such as including a peninsula or an island as part of the overall kitchen design. These elements can be used to join the kitchen to an adjacent family room or dining area. A peninsula or kitchen island also offers the cook the ability to keep visual and conversational exchange with their guests or family members in the neighboring dining or living room.

Kitchen cabinets will help establish the character for the whole living space. The choice of wood will have an effect on the overall look of your room each having its own unique characteristics. Some choices include: alder, cherry, beech, hickory, maple, oak, lyptus and paintable wood. Using a light wood such as oak, birch, ash, beech, maple, or chestnut will lighten the kitchen. For mid range, choose cherry. Choose paintable wood to darker kitchens to your specifications.

Counter surface area is also another key design element. Granite, limestone and marble, and are all fashionable natural materials for use in countertops. Engineered stone countertops is easy to maintain, and unlike natural stone does not require yearly sealing. Ceramic tile kitchen countertops are inexpensive, durable and also available in  a wide range of colors, textures and price points. Solid surface countertops are seamless and stain resistant. Solid surfaces also come in an almost infinite selection of colors and patterns. Laminate countertops are inexpensive, easy to maintain and resilient but it scratches and chips. Concrete countertops are known for their versatility, a good choice if you want unusual shapes, as they're often molded right in your kitchen. Wood countertops offer an attractive warm look and are available in a wide range of colors and finishes but the wood poorly withstands exposure to household chemicals or water . Stainless steel countertops do not absorb stains, are heat resistant and can take hot pans but are noisy and tends to scratch easily.

It is important to consider all options before deciding on kitchen design. There are many resources at your disposal; get design ideas, read books and magazines and  immerse yourself in manufacturers websites.