Kitchens are one of the most complex rooms to renovate in the home. There are a million decisions that have to be made throughout the renovation process, from choosing appliances to cabinetry to storage solutions. If you’re about to begin the renovation process, please read along for some expert tips on how to create the kitchen of your dreams!
Budget
The best place to start is with a budget. A budget helps you prioritize what's important. It allows you to splurge on what’s essential and to save on what’s not. For example, if you cook a lot, go for the hard-working range.
Hanging-Out Space
People like to be where the food is, so providing ample spots to hang out will make your kitchen a popular place to be. The cook rarely want to cook alone during a dinner party, they want to be where their guests are! Consider adding a breakfast nook, an island, or stick your dining table right in the kitchen! It's a great place to prep food and eat together with your family. Oven to the table isn't very far when your dining table is right there.
Storage
Consider a place for everything. Good organization is key to a kitchen that functions well. It's great to have storage, but it's even better when that storage has a purpose. Consider where to put your favourite small appliances (stand mixer, toaster), pantry items, and so forth. Tall pullout storage drawers are one of the best ways to get more storage that's easy to access. You can store a lot in those drawers!
Cabinetry
Now, let's talk cabinets. We recommend hiring a professional cabinet maker as they know how to make the best use of the space you have. When it comes to upper cabinets, it can be tempting to install beautiful open shelving, but before you do, consider your cleanliness habits, the amount of stuff you own, and how big your kitchen is. Upper cabinets provide a lot of storage when space is limited.
Appliances
And now, for our favourite topic, appliances!
Ranges vs Wall Ovens and Cooktops: We know that most of you will ask this question at some point during the renovation process, "Do I want a range or a wall oven/cooktop combination?" It's an excellent question and we've compiled a few things to consider in this blog post... go check it out!
Ventilation: More than just for looks, ventilation removes odour, heat, and grease from your kitchen. Shop ventilation here.
Refrigerators: There are so many great refrigeration options out there, including the increasingly popular counter-depth fridges. Counter-depth refrigerators don't stick out as much as a typical fridge, providing a cohesive look to the space. Read more about counter-depth refrigerators here.
Integrated refrigeration takes it a step further! It's a great choice if you want to add cabinetry panels to your fridge for a minimal, seamless look.
Also, don't forget about refrigeration drawers. They're the perfect choice for minimal space, prep space ease, drinks storage, and more. Read more about that here.
Dishwashers: Life wouldn't be the same without our beloved dishwashers. They make clean-up easy and very convenient. Read 5 questions to ask when buying a new dishwasher here.
Microwaves are a great appliance to have in the kitchen because they cook food fast and are easy to use. There are many options out there these days, including built-in wall microwaves, drawer microwaves, range hood microwaves, and more. Another type of quick cooking oven that we love is called a speed oven. It is a microwave and convection oven all in one. With many pre-set settings, a quick dinner is ready with the touch of a button. Speed ovens are larger in size and look great paired with a wall oven. Read "Speed Ovens: Beyond the Microwave" here.
For more appliance buying tips, head on over to our Appliance Buying Guides.
Happy renovating!
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For questions and appliance inquiries, contact us here!