In most family homes the kitchen is the hub of activity, with family members gathering to share the experiences of their day while the evening meal is being prepared. If you are remodeling your kitchen you need to be aware of the very great importance of proper organization, comfortable inviting furniture, and thoughtful design in the kitchen.



A well designed kitchen will not only be great to look at but will be the very essence of practicality, functionality and convenience. Any good cook will tell you that having a well organized kitchen is half the battle. Being able to find what you need quickly and easily leaves your full concentration for preparing that superb meal.

Adequate space is crucial in a well designed kitchen, and this includes both storage and work space. A concept designed to measure kitchen work space is the ?kitchen triangle?. Imagine a line drawn between the sink and cooker, the cooker and fridge, and the fridge back to the sink. This is the space you have to work in a kitchen. The total sides of the triangle should add up to about twenty six feet and each side should measure between four and nine feet. There are various criticisms of this measurement of space, but it does provide a good guideline and starting point when planning your kitchen.

Make sure you have sufficient space for the growing number of utensils and gadgets that seem to be essential tools in today's kitchens. Equipment should not clutter the kitchen and should be put away out of sight unless it is to be used as decorations. Kitchen cabinets should be large enough to accommodate the equipment comfortably without having to cram everything in to get the doors shut. When deciding what equipment to put where, try to simulate your usual kitchen routine. What do you use most often and what do you use it with? You need to have space to store fruit and vegetables in a cool dry place, separate from other items.

If you are recovering your walls as part of your remodeling project, you will want to make sure the paint you choose is resistant against heat, smoke, grease and other kitchen stains. You might want to consider installing air vents to get rid of smoke and cooking smells quickly and efficiently.

If you are in any doubt about your kitchen remodeling project, call in an expert for a second opinion. Even if you end up doing the work yourself they can give you some excellent ideas and practical advice based on vast experience. As long as you take practicality into account you should feel free to have some fun with your kitchen. It is a very personal space and it needs to reflect the character and tastes of you and your family.