The New Year brings new opportunities and the possibility of achieving important things for your life and your family. One of them may be remodeling the kitchen of your home for the enjoyment of all the members of your family and friends who you entertain throughout the year. 2013 is a great time to plan your kitchen remodeling project to complete and enjoy during the upcoming holiday season.
It is necessary to evaluate different ideas for the remodeling project. Start with 3 of the great determinants of design.
First, the kitchen of your home, clearly a major focal point, is important to having a space that is balanced with respect to its elemental placements, color, lighting, appliances, and accessories. The focal point in any room represents a center of your space, and is the key element around which any room works. In others, the space of a room revolves around a device or an appliance. For example, in a living room, the fireplace fits the obvious focal point. In a small or medium sized kitchen, typically the entire space can be considered the focal point. Therefore, a kitchen must be seen as an element or unit. Given its uniformity, the kitchen as a focal point is best with a neutral color palette. This works best because it keeps the eye moving within the space and makes the kitchen feel like one complete, connected unit. An easy solution to creating this look is to make sure the backsplash pattern remains unbroken; including making sure that even the outlets fit the aesthetic design. Make sure they are part of the pattern or color palette and that they fit in rather than stand out and draw attention to dwelling on them. Look around you and make sure the room fits.
Second, keep the color palette of the kitchen cabinets by using a neutral tone for the space; including your appliances, cabinets, flooring, and hardware. The result is a fluid appearance of balanced space, allowing the eye to continue to move throughout the space. Simple flat cabinets without too many details, like solid cabinet doors, keep the balance intact. Make sure the inside of the cabinet is painted the same color as the trim and the outside of the cabinet. Whether you are building or renovating, it makes no difference. It’s best to consider including a soffit or some type of molding to hang the cabinets as flush as possible. That way they will appear to recede into the wall and not out of the wall. Keep headroom in mind, which means base cabinets are typically 36 inches high and any countertops should be 1-1/2 to 2 inches thick. This means that the standard heights are 18 inches between the counter and upper cabinets. However, if you are going to bring the cabinets up to the ceiling, definitely double check the outline of the ceiling to see if it is level or not.
Third, when using an accent wall, it’s important to use neutral colors for your cabinetry. This includes staying consistent with the color of fixtures and appliances and continuing the style by painting the walls the same color and keeping the look cohesive. If the plan is to go with open shelving, then making the wall behind the shelving the accent wall will usually be effective. The result will be balanced by consistent use of color and keeping the kitchen as a composite focal point. Color can frame and highlight the nuances of the entire kitchen as a singular element.
