analysis: photo analysis: Items for Your New Kitchen Design

What do you see in the image above?

Notes:

• Let’s start with a kitchen island:

  if room permits, you might consider installing a kitchen island that you can use for food preparation and cleanup. The kitchen island should be positioned for easy access to the cooking area – where you can pivot from food prep to food cooking to food cleanup.

• An added bonus with kitchen islands is an area on the opposite side of the island for a counter sit-up. Using some nice stools, the island becomes a sitting area for eating, conversation, and enjoying a cup of coffee before the day begins.
• For kitchens that are smaller in size where an island may not fit, be sure include countertop area for food prep and sit-up. You may be looking at a L-shape counter with the small “L” for food cooking and the large “L’ for clean up, food prep, and possibly a counter sitting section.
• INFO: all about kitchen islands
  INFO: don’t make these kitchen island design mistakes
• FIND: kitchen islands with seating
  FIND: granite countertop transformation
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• Select countertop type:

  you need to decide countertop type for counter areas and island. You have many types of countertops to choose from – the most popular trends hard stone counters like marble, granite and quartz tops. There are also ceramic, concrete, wood, and other engineered and laminate materials.

• Granite and quartz tops offer the best return on your investment. So if the budget allows, consider one of these options. If your budget is tight, look into engineered hard stone options that may be priced less. You won’t regret your decision. There are also laminate top options that resemble stone and wood. Check them out!
• INFO: 10 types of countertops you should know before renovating your kitchen
  INFO: countertop buying guide
  INFO: top countertop choices tested for durability
• INFO: beginner’s guide to engineered stone countertops
  INFO: most popular laminate countertops
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• What type of sink:

  once you have selected your countertop, the next big =decision is what kind of kitchen sink. That will need to be decided before installing your kitchen countertop since the installation must measure the size and type of kitchen sink and plumbing for the faucet.

• Sink examples include undermount (illustrated above), drop-in (with an overhanging lip), or other type sink basins. Sinks materials include stainless steel, enamel, copper, fireclay, solid service and more. You also need to decide whether it will be double or single basin – with or without a drain board.
• INFO: undermount vs. drop-in sink: which is right for me?
  INFO: different types of kitchen sinks
  INFO: stylish, stain-resistant, or both: which type of kitchen sink is right for you?
• FIND: undermount kitchen sink
  FIND: drop-in kitchen sink
  FIND: farmhouse kitchen sink
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• The need for decorative faucets:

  Now that you have selected the type of sink, a follow-through decision is whether you want a single or dual handle faucet. That will determine the type of cuts in your countertop for plumbing. For a drop-in sink, you have a bit more flexibility.

• Another decision is whether you want to invest into a pot-filler faucet. That may require additional plumbing that may or may not be worth the investment.
• INFO: basic types of kitchen faucets and their distinctions of operation
  INFO: real reasons you need a pot filler faucet in your kitchen
  INFO: reasons not to include a pot filler in your new kitchen design
• FIND: modern kitchen faucet
  FIND: vintage pot filler faucet
  FIND: black kitchen faucet
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• Make sure your have good lighting:

  this is sometimes overlooked – make sure your plan for adequate lighting – very critical for food prepartion and cooking. Note the under-cabinet (under-hood) lighting over the cooking area and counters. Bright recessed lighting in the open cabinets.

• For the kitchen island, you might consider 3 pendant lighting units with dimmable LED bulbs. That will give you plenty of light for meal preparation and clean-up.
• INFO: 14 tips for better kitchen lighting
  INFO: kitchen lighting: tips from a designer
  INFO: interior design — best kitchen lighting tips
• FIND: kitchen pendant lighting over island
  FIND: kitchen cabinet lighting
  FIND: kitchen recessed ceiling light
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• Contrasting cabinet colors:

  finally, you need to decide cabinets and other cupboard storage. What is becoming popular are contrasting colors for cabinets. In this image analysis, note the cabinet dark colors underneath and the light colors above. The faucet and cabinet handles match the dark. The subway tile backsplash makes a nice combination to tie everything together.

• Custom made cabinets are the most expensive option – pre-frabricated cabinets from home centers can keep the cost down. It all depends on what you need in cabinetry and budget.
• INFO: 10 kitchen cabinet color combinations you’ll actually want to commit to
  INFO: captivating kitchen color schemes
• FIND: kitchen cabinet paint kit
  FIND: kitchen cabinet hardware

Final Observation:

we have gone over the basic design elements for kitchen design. Other considerations include appliances, flooring type, kitchen organization and seating. These are a lot of decisions you need to spec out – print our kitchen spec sheet for help.

Make sure you capture everything along with the cost before finalizing your plan with a contractor. The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house, so make sure your design plan makes it functional and stylish.

What comments what can you share about this photo idea?