Monday, June 23, 2008

Kitchen Lighting Kitchen Lighting Planning Zoning for Lighting New Kitchens





Kitchens Lighting
- Include Lighting!
Large Kitchens Include
Zoning Kitchen's Lighting



Include Kitchen's Lighting

Planning New Kitchens
Include Zoning Kitchen's Lighting


Planning is the key to finding success lighting up your dream kitchen!

A smoker may find it difficult not to "lite up" no matter how hard he tries. The opposite is the case with kitchen lighting.

If a home owner does not "lite up" when doing the initial kitchen remodeling it just doesn't happen.

Planning must happen before the work is started to have the kitchen lighting blend in with the surrounding. As a smoker may say I'll quit smoking later on and it just doesn't happen, this is true with those who delay adding kitchen lighting.

Those who say I'll add lighting later are simply avoiding including a major part of their dream. They are also eliminating instead of illuminating an important element in keeping their kitchen a safe, warm, and a pleasant pleasing environment.

It is often said the way to man's heart is his stomach, and the heart of a home is the kitchen. Proven statistics have shown that dark kitchen's do indeed bring people down where bright kitchen's cheer up and inspire.

Kitchens that open up into dining, living, or family areas especially will benefit from bright lighting broken into lighting zones. Well laid out task, ambient, and ornamental lighting wired separately, and broken into lighting zones adds to any kitchen.

Larger kitchens especially benefit from well laid out task and ambient lighting. Guests being entertained can have the direct focus of light brightness, while the work in the kitchen stays in the shadows when kitchen lighting is broken into zones by lighting experts. Zoning the kitchen's lighting can also reduce your electrical bill.

Lay out the kitchen's design to fit your lifestyle. Proper planning with your kitchen design helps to ensure success. Local cabinet shops or home improvement centers often have experts to assist you with your kitchen design layout, still the decision of understanding the lighting that is right for your needs will eventually come back to you.

Planning is the key to finding success lighting up your dream kitchen!

Include Lighting!
Kitchens Lighting
Large Kitchens Include
Zoning Kitchen's Lighting

Saturday, June 21, 2008

New Kitchen Cabinet Sources Custom Cabinets Stock Cabinets Semi-custom Cabinets Cabinet Maker Shops New Kitchen Planning Guide



New Kitchen Planning Guide Article
Kitchen Cabinet Sources
Cabinet Dollar
Stock Kitchen Cabinets
Who Installs Cabinets
Custom Cabinets
Semi-custom Cabinets

Cabinet Maker Shops

New Kitchen Planning Guide
New Kitchen Planning Guide Article


Faster Viewing? View Feed!

Discussions?
Kitchen Forum


Kitchen Cabinet Sources
Kitchen Cabinets can come from many sources. If you are considering remodeling your cabinet source may be the one person shop on the corner, or a cabinet factory on a plot of land covering several acres.

Cabinet Dollar
Cabinets vary greatly in price, depending on whether the cabinets are custom or stock. There also are cabinet varieties in between custom and stock cabinets as options for your kitchen. This wide range of cabinets creates a wide range of options for different budget levels.

Stock kitchen cabinets are the most basic choice for kitchen cabinets. Stock cabinets are options available off the shelf or within a few weeks from your local home building center, local lumberyard, or contractor. You also may have the option to order the cabinets yourself.

Installation
Installation options for your new kitchen cabinets include the dealer where you ordered the cabinets, a local contractor, or you can install the cabinets yourself if you have the skills it takes to tackle a kitchen remodel.

Stock Cabinets
Stock cabinets as built as individual cabinets in standard sizes so filler pieces may be required where the cabinets meet into the walls to cover gaps. With stock cabinets the styles, finishes, hardware, and accessories vary and you do not have customized options. This is why stock cabinets are about half the cost of many custom manufactured kitchen cabinets.

Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers and semi-custom cabinet manufacturers also offer a wide range of design and options for your cabinet's styles, finishes, hardware, accessories, sizes , and configurations. With custom cabinets the range of choices is much broader and there are adjustments of custom made pieces. Custom made cabinets generally offer good to premium quality, and with the premium quality cabinets wait time for the cabinets may take up to 3 months.

Semi-custom Cabinets
Semi-custom cabinets have fewer options than custom cabinets, and cost about 30 percent less than cabinets from custom manufacturers.

Cabinet Maker Shops
Hiring a cabinet maker or working with a cabinet maker shop to build your custom cabinets is also an option. When hiring a cabinet maker to build your cabinets your layout or kitchen's design can be done with or with out the help of a kitchen designer or architect.

The advantage to having a cabinet maker shop build the custom cabinets is the fact that the cabinet units can be built in large sections. This means the cabinets can fit your site's measurements for example your base cabinets could be installed from wall to wall in your kitchen's design as one cabinet unit.

Custom cabinet shop cabinets may take longer than custom cabinets, still this all depends on the shop and how busy the cabinet maker you are dealing with is at the time of your kitchen remodel. Often your wait time for installation of your new cabinets with a local cabinet shop will be five to 20 weeks. Cabinet maker shops install the cabinets they build.

With a cabinet shop building your custom cabinets you have the luxury to ask for cabinets plans, elevations of the plans, and may even be able to see a list of items for each cabinet in your new kitchen including a list of accessories and hardware.

Please Comment! Did you find the information you were looking for? Let us know! You can also send an email with questions or to pass along any information you think would benefit our website - google@remodelingsuccess.com. Thank You For Reading!



New Kitchen Planning Guide Article Topics
Kitchen Cabinet Sources
Cabinet Dollar

Stock Kitchen Cabinets
Who Installs Cabinets
Custom Cabinets

Semi-custom Cabinets
Cabinet Maker Shops
New Kitchen Planning Guide

New Kitchen Planning Guide Article Topics


Articles - Bath Kitchen Remodeling
Building Check Lists
Contractor Understanding
Countertops
Home Plans for Free
Free Kitchen Lessons
Free Kitchen Lessons Feed
Home Building Remodeling Check Lists
Building and Remodeling
Building and Remodeling Feed
Kitchen Forum
Kitchen Links
Home Windows
Oven Comparisons
Planning Kitchen Lessons
Planning Kitchen's Lighting
Remodeling Forum
Remodeling Myths
Sink Sizes
Ventilation Fan Size
Windows Feed


Site Feed

HOME

Kitchen Cabinet Choices - Frameless Cabinets to Face-Frame Cabinets

Choices - Frameless Cabinets - Face-Frame Cabinets
Article Source:
Choices - Frameless Cabinets - Face-Frame Cabinets



Cabinets - Frameless Cabinets to Face-Frame Cabinets
Cabinetry: Choice of Cabinets Styles Makes the Kitchen
Cabinet Selection: Decide on Kitchen Cabinets Early



Cabinetry dominates the kitchen. Cabinet styles set the tone for how a kitchen looks and cabinet layout makes all difference in how a kitchen functions. How much cabinets cost establishes a new kitchens budget - up to 75 percent in kitchen remodels.

If you are a homeowner remodeling or a home owner building starting with a new kitchen, decide on your cabinet selection early. The decision on which cabinets to use affects how long the work takes and also sets the stage for choosing appliances, countertops, flooring, and many other elements related to the kitchen areas.

Kitchen Planning
Look at cabinet plans and pictures of kitchens from picture books, local kitchen design centers, home centers, home design magazines, and the Internet like you are doing are all great sources of new kitchen pictures and information for initial remodeling planning of kitchens.

Decide on on cabinet style choices, then look inside of the cabinets themselves, online, in magazines, the library, and choose some of the amazing array of accessories which are now available for the modern kitchen cabinets after you have established your kitchen's design.

Looking inside of the kitchen cabinets and looking at the construction of kitchen cabinets we see first of all a basic box. The cabinet's box is also called a case. There are two
styles of cases. They are either built as face-frame cabinets or frameless cabinets.

Face-frame cabinets are an American style of cabinets and are the most popular style of cabinets manufactured today.

Face-frame cabinets consist of a frame which consists of horizontal frame members called rails. The vertical cabinet frame members are called stiles. The rails and stiles are fastened to the front of the cabinet box and adds significant strength to the cabinet.

Frameless cabinets were started in Europe originally in the 1950's and still hold the term by some cabinet manufacturers as European style kitchen cabinets. A European or frameless cabinet is a simple box, and the doors and drawers nearly cover the cabinet's case completely.

Frameless cabinets are often associated with modern cabinet styles, still frameless
cabinets can easily be made to look more traditional with moldings, paneling, and other kitchen decor accessories.

Choosing the kitchen cabinet style that you like is the important thing. Remember to choose your kitchen cabinet style early. Everything else in your kitchen construction or remodeling project by your kitchen's contractor including your kitchen's design all centers around your choice of kitchen cabinets.

Wishing you Remodeling or Home Building Success with your New Kitchen!

Please comment on any questions you still have if you do not find the answers you are
looking for so someone can be sure to answer your question. You can also email us if you have further questions - google@remodelingsuccess.com

Thank You for Reading!

Base Cabinet Install
Cabinets and Computer Layouts
Countertop Selection
Kitchen Feed
Kitchen Links
Kitchen Lighting
Kitchen Planning
Kitchen Remodeling Myths
Kitchen Safety in Planning
Sink Sizes
Understanding Building Feed
Ventilation Fan Sizes
Wall Cabinet Info
Zones Kitchen Layouts

Faster Viewing?
View Feed!

HOME

Article Source:
Cabinet Choices - Frameless Cabinets to Face-Frame Cabinets

Friday, June 20, 2008

Kitchen Contractors Kitchen Understanding Before Hiring Kitchen Contractors

Kitchen Contractors - Before Hiring - Kitchen Contractor-

- The Steps You Took Before Hiring -
- Before Hiring a Kitchen Contractor -
- Article Source-


Kitchen Planning Article: The steps you took
Before Hiring a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor


You are ready to get started with your kitchen remodel!
- Overview of the items you went through before hiring your kitchen contractor!

Your homework was done, you realized hiring the right contractor for your kitchen remodel was an important decision along with planning and designing the kitchen for your needs.

The importance of planning for your new kitchen as the center point of your home was understood. You realized that you needed to hire a contractor you does nice work. You did a back ground check from your state if your state requires state certification and verified the contractor's registration was up to date. You also verified references before hiring the contractor and avoided kitchen remodeling myths.

Before you started time was taken to understand the kitchen remodeling process. You made up a folder, box, or tote and included separate areas for each step of the remodeling process. Items you included were countertops, drawer location, kitchen cabinets, sink selection, hardware selection, lighting types, and kitchen design and layout preferences of each member of your family.

You were complete with the planning and design process for your new kitchen and determined the right dollar amount and budget for your kitchen working with a contractor or kitchen designer. You signed a contract with a reliable kitchen contractor you trusted.

Looking back doing your homework was worth the effort! Great Job!


The steps you took:
Before Hiring a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor



The Steps You Took Before Hiring a Kitchen Contractor

Faster Viewing Of Articles?
View Feed!

Did you find the information you were looking for? Let us know! Please comment! You can also email us google@remodelingsuccess.com or send a fax 616 875 2085. Thank You for Reading!


Kitchen Planning Article Source
- The Steps you took -
Before Hiring a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor
Kitchen Contractors - Before Hiring a Kitchen Contractor -


Articles
Builder Blog
Builder Blog Feed
Free Kitchen Lessons
Free Lessons
Hinges
Hardware Links
Home Plans for Free
Kitchen Myths
Oven Types
Remodeling
Remodeling Lists Feed
Zeeland Michigan Builder

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Kitchen Cabinets Cabinet Sizes Installation Heights

New Kitchens 101: Kitchen Remodeling
Kitchen Cabinets, Sizes, and Installation Heights


Cabinets constructed with a frame on the front are called face frame cabinets. I'm starting out as a genius :-) Cabinets with frames are face frame cabinets - Duh!

The frame portion provides the openings for doors and drawers.

Another common cabinet method is called European or frame-less cabinets. The frame-less cabinets give more of a contemporary appearance to a new kitchen.

Face-framed cabinets usually have more of a traditional look for kitchens.

While this may seem obvious to builder folk, many searches have been made for understanding kitchen design and cabinets.

Understanding kitchen cabinet information is often requested by home owners looking to remodel their kitchens and desiring to understand the builder's terminology such as what is a wall unit as they plan for a new kitchen.

There are two basic kinds of kitchen cabinets. Wall units or wall cabinets hang on walls. Base units or base cabinets sit on the floor or are shimmed up just high enough to allow flooring under them.

The countertop surface is usually 36" off the floor. Wall units are installed about 18" above the countertop. This 18" is the distance that accommodates items such as blenders, coffee makers, mixers, and toasters. It also keeps the top shelf with in reach (Under six feet from the floor).

The usual overall height of kitchen wall cabinets is 7' 0".

Kitchen Installation Quick Tip:
Making a few supports around 8" wide to set under the wall cabinets is a tips to aid in your wall cabinet installation. The countertop back splash is often 3/4" to 1 1/2" thick and you want a little room to play with your holders. Making a T Shaped holder may be even more useful! (It doesn't fall)


Kitchen Cabinets, Sizes, and Install Heights
New Kitchens 101: Kitchen Remodeling Lessons



FREE Kitchen Remodeling Lessons!

New Kitchens 101: Kitchen Lesson One
Kitchen Guide Kitchen Planning

New Kitchens 101: Kitchen Lesson Two
Remodeling Electrical Kitchens and Baths

New Kitchens 101: Kitchen Lesson Three
Kitchen Cabinet Computer Layouts


FREE Kitchen Remodeling Lessons!



Kitchen Cabinet Kinds, Sizes, and Installing Heights
New Kitchens 101: Kitchen Remodeling Lessons

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Kitchen Remodeling Installing Base Cabinets 101

Kitchen Remodeling
Installing Base Cabinets 101


Base Cabinet installing works best when you start from a corner. Shim the bottom until the cabinet top is on your level line unless you used the scribe and fit cabinet installation method.

Now level and shim the cabinet from back to front.

If you are using the scribe to fit cabinet installation method, shim until the tops are level across for width as well as depth. Now the tops are above your line which you measured from your floors low point. Place a spacer the width of the amount you need to remove and run your pencil and mark the cabinet to your scribe point. Cut both ends and your toe kick board to
the scribed lines. The back of the cabinet normally does not extend all the way to the floor and usually needs no adjustment.

Place your base cabinet in position. The top of the cabinet should be on your line. Fasten it L O O S E L Y to the wall. Install all of your base cabinets in this manner. Then Align and clamp the stiles of adjoining cabinets and fasten the cabinets together.

After the cabinets are all secured together finish tightening the screws in the back of the cabinets.


Installing Base Cabinets 101
Kitchen Remodeling

Articles
Builder Blog
Builder Blog Feed
Free Kitchen Lessons
Free Lessons Feed
Hinges Hardware Links
Home Plans for Free
Kitchen Myths
Oven Types
Remodeling Check Lists
Remodeling Lists Feed
Zeeland Michigan Builder

Base Cabinet Installation Kitchen Cabinet Installing Shim or Scribe

New Kitchens and Remodeling
Base Cabinet Installation 101
Shim or Scribe Cabinets to Fit?


Base Cabinets should be installed level and plumb.

Installing cabinets level and plumb needs to happen even if your kitchen or bathroom floor is not level! The controversial job-site question is whether to shim or scribe the cabinets to fit.

Installing new kitchen cabinets requires you to draw a level line on the wall before you install wall or base cabinets to ensure the cabinets stay level horizontally.

When installing your base cabinets to the level line you need to either shim the new cabinets from the high point of the floor or scribe and fit the cabinets to the floor from the lowest point.

The scribe and fit method eliminates the need for base shoe molding.

* Scribe and Fit = Cut down and sand to fit.

If you choose to shim up your base cabinets a trim or shoe molding will need to surround
the cabinets "toe kick" area to cover up the gap.


Shim or Scribe Cabinets to Fit?
Base Cabinet Installation 101


###

Cabinet Choices

Cabinet Sources

Kitchen Contractors Info

Kitchen Planning Guide

Kitchen Remodeling Myth's to Avoid

Kitchen Remodeling Designs

Kitchen Safety Concerns

Kitchen Zones

Planning Kitchens

New Kitchen Guide

Other Kitchen Links

Remodeling a Kitchen a How To Guide

Remodeling Averages

Remodeling Procedures

Should I Remodel

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Kitchen-remodeling-blog

Kitchen Planning Guide

Kitchen Countertop Selections

Wall Cabinet Units

New Kitchen Cabinet Computer Layouts

New Kitchen Cabinet Computer Layouts

Computer Programs layout kitchen and cabinet layouts.

Write down your kitchen cabinet measurements. Have detailed kitchen sizes written down in such a manner they can be entered into a computer quickly.

Sarah Godwin went to her local kitchen cabinet manufacturer. Her measurements of her kitchen were written down clearly and her cabinet dealer entered her new kitchen layout in the computer quickly and a number of detailed layouts were quickly printed out for Sarah to review with her husband.

Where does a person find a cabinet program to make up these kitchen layouts? There are programs available for sale online as well as any computer outlet store. While there are many free design programs online as well, use your best judgement with the free online computer programs for your new kitchen cabinet design. I personally did not list any here because after reviewing the online sites with "free" kitchen cabinet design I could not find a site with an online program that I felt would save you time over a drive to your local supplier.

Please let me know if you know of a site with a new kitchen cabinet design program that is user friendly, and does not throw cookies on your computer with out your permission. The sites with free new kitchen design software, sadly in my reviews, were out to get their money back from the "free" software and made functionality NOT practical for the normal computer user looking for a cabinet design.

What about the Computer 3-D Cabinet Design programs available for sale? This also is not recommended for average homeowners looking to replace their kitchen cabinets as a one time event. Unless you need something to do and like to experiment going to your local kitchen cabinet supplier or local lumberyard will get you a better new kitchen cabinet design layout much faster. Most large cabinet manufacturers also supply computerized layouts on request.

Now you have a number of options for your kitchen cabinet layouts!

Analyze your kitchen cabinet layouts and your goals for your new kitchen cabinets. Good planning brings success, and seeing your kitchen plan design through computer layouts from local suppliers and cabinet distributors helps make the process of visualizing your new kitchen layout design a snap!


New Cabinet Design Layouts
Computer Programs Layout Kitchen Cabinet Layouts


Monday, June 9, 2008

Kitchen Wall Cabinet Sizes and Sizing Kitchen Wall Cabinets

Kitchen Wall Cabinet Sizes
Sizing Kitchen Upper Cabinets

Kitchen Cabinet Sizing
Wall (Upper) Cabinet Sizes


Kitchen Wall Cabinets are usually 12 Inches Deep.

The height of wall or "upper" cabinet size in kitchens is often 30 Inches also known as the "standard" cabinet height. A second common wall cabinet height size for new kitchen cabinets is 42 Inches. Other upper wall cabinet Heights for special areas in a kitchen such as above the stove (range) are 24", 18", 15", and 12" Tall (Height).

The width of upper kitchen wall cabinets is the one area that has the most flexibility. Three inch increments is the standard sizing for kitchen cabinets with the cabinet size starting at 9 inches with many cabinet manufacturers and sizing up to 48 inches.

Wall Cabinets in kitchens often have one or two upper cabinet doors. Single door cabinets can be hung so doors can swing in either direction. Double doors cabinets are hinged from the outsides as a standard for wider wall cabinets.

Kitchen Wall (Upper) Cabinet Height Size Summary:
42"
30"
24"
18"
15"
12"


Kitchen Wall Cabinet Depth
12" Standard

Standard Upper Kitchen Wall Cabinet Width
9" to 48" in 3" increments.


Footnotes:
Kitchen wall cabinets are made 24" Deep For Refrigerators.
A microwave oven case with a 30 inch wide shelf sze is also available.

Another quick note which many of us are very familiar with is there are special corner cabinets which allow wall cabinets to bump into the corner cabinet from both directions. Corner Cabinets may be 45 degree corner units or 90 degree corner cabinets with two doors.


Home Selling Foot Note:
A minor Kitchen Remodel is one of the best investments prior to selling a home!
Do you have an older cabinet style? Shiny door handles or door knobs can make quite the difference! A New kitchen countertop that is in style can make what once was an "older looking" home now be "in"!

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas and Pricing Article

Remodeling a Kitchen a How To Guide

Picture of Kitchen and Basement and Attic Dollar Amounts

http://feeds.feedburner.com/Kitchen-remodeling-blog

Kitchen Planning Guide

More Helpful Kitchen Layout Links

Kitchen Remodeling Myth's to Avoid

Kitchen Remodeling Designs

More Kitchen Links

Kitchen Zones

Planning Kitchens

New Kitchen Guide





Friday, June 6, 2008

New Kitchen Cabinets Kitchen Remodel Dollar Savings


New Kitchens Cabinets
Saving Dollars on Kitchen Remodels



The thought of a new kitchen is exciting!

Kitchens are the center of the home for many families. When buying a new home you may remember a main selling point is the Kitchen's nice layout. Kitchen remodeling can be very expensive and your cabinet selection of both wall and base cabinets along with your countertop selection is very important.

What are the factors to consider when trying to determine the cost of a new kitchen? The dollar amount or cost for a new kitchen varies greatly depending on the size of your kitchen, how many cabinets you desire in your new kitchen, and the types of materials you chose.

Careful Planning of a new kitchen may make it so you could go under budget by choosing your materials and cabinets wisely. Your kitchen planning could give you the money for one or two extras! Are you willing to make a few compromises for your new kitchen? Would you be willing to do a little research? Then you may be able to achieve what you desire!

Consider what work you can do yourself as you plan for your new kitchen. Will installing your new kitchen cabinets yourself save you dollars? If you are capable to get by with out hiring a contractor - then installing your new kitchen yourself should reduce your kitchen remodeling costs.

This is if you have the skills of doing the work correctly the first time. Having a professional come in to fix your mistakes later could actually increase your dollar amount.

What skills should you have to install your own kitchen? Many people have gone in over their heads thinking installing a new kitchen was as easy as running screws into cabinets and missed some important key factors such as planning and understanding kitchens zones before they started to remodel their kitchen.

Before starting your kitchen project ask yourself a few key questions. Are you willing get your hands dirty and have a mess? Will your family be OK with a mess at hand for months? Do you have the motivation and persistence needed to carry the new remodeling project safely through? If you aren't up to the task, it will take a while to finish your remodel project. Do you need to hire a contractor or can you handle it? Wishing you success and the very best on your new kitchen remodel!

Articles
Builder Blog
Builder Blog Feed
Free Kitchen Lessons
Free Lessons Feed
Hinges
Hardware Links
Home Plans for Free
Kitchen Myths
Oven Types
Remodeling Check Lists
Remodeling Lists Feed
Zeeland Michigan Builder

New Kitchen Cabinets
Saving Dollars on Kitchen Remodels


National Kitchen Guidelines



National Kitchen Bath Association
40 Planning Guidelines



Traffic and Work flow

o o 1a. Doorways at least 32” wide and not more than 24” deep in direction of travel

o o 1b. Walkways at least 36” wide

o o 1c. Work aisles at least 42” wide for one cook; at least 48” wide in multi-cook kitchens

o o 2. Work triangle 26’ or less, with no single leg shorter than 4’ nor longer than 9’

o o 3. No major traffic patterns crossing through work triangle

o o 4. No entry, appliance, or cabinet doors interfering with one another

o o 5. In seating area, 36” of clearance from counter/table edge to wall/obstruction if no traffic passes behind seated diners; 65” of clearance for walkway behind seated diners


Cabinets and Storage

o o 6. Kitchens under 150 sq. ft.: 144” of wall cabinet frontage, with cabinets at least 12” deep and 30” high with adjustable shelving Kitchens over 150 sq. ft.: 186” of wall cabinet frontage, with cabinets at least 12” deep and 30” high with adjustable shelving

o o 7. At least 60” of wall cabinet frontage within 72” of primary sink’s center-line

o o 8. Kitchens under 150 sq. ft.: 156” of base cabinet frontage with cabinets at least 21” deep Kitchens over 150 sq. ft.: 192” of base cabinet frontage with cabinets at least 21” deep

o o 9. Kitchens under 150 sq. ft.: at least 120” of drawer or roll-out shelf frontage Kitchens over 150 sq. ft.: at least 165” of drawer or roll-out shelf frontage

o o 10. At least five storage/organizing items 15” to 48” above finished floor

o o 11. At least one corner storage unit

o o 12. At least two waste receptacles: one for garbage and one for recyclables


Appliance Placement and Use

o o 13. Knee space below or adjacent to sinks, cook tops, ranges, and ovens at a minimum of 27” high by 30” wide by 19” deep

o o 14. Clear floor space of 30” x 48” at sink, dishwasher, cook top, oven, and refrigerator

o o 15. Minimum of 21” clear floor space between edge of dishwasher and any object placed at right angle to dishwasher

o o 16. Edge of primary dishwasher within 36” of one sink edge

o o 17. Primary sink between or across from cooking surface preparation area or refrigerator

o o 18. At least 24” of clearance between cooking surface and protected surface above or 30” of clearance between cooking surface and unprotected surface above

o o 19. Ventilation system with a fan rated at a minimum of 150 CFM for major surface cooking appliances

o o 20. No cooking surface below operable window unless window 3” or more behind appliance and more than 24” above it

o o 21. Bottom of microwave ovens 24” to 48” above floor


Counter Surface and Landing Space

o o 22. At least two work counter heights: one at 28” to 36” above finished floor and one at 36” to 45” above finished floor

o o 23. Kitchens under 150 sq. ft.: at least 132” of usable counter frontage Kitchens over 150 sq. ft.: at least 198” of usable counter frontage

o o 24. At least 24” of counter frontage to one side of primary sink and 18” on other with 24” space at same height as sink

o o 25. At least 3” of counter frontage on one side of secondary sink and 18” on other with 18” space at same height as sink

o o 26. At least 15” of landing space (minimum 16” deep) above, below, or adjacent to microwave oven

o o 27. Open-ended kitchen: at least 9” counter space on one side of cooking surface and 15” on other, at same height as appliance Enclosed kitchen: at least 3” of clearance space at an end wall protected by flame retardant material and 15” on other side at same counter height as appliance

o o 28. At least 15” of counter space on latch side of refrigerator or on either side of a side-by-side or at least 15” of counter space no more than 48” across from refrigerator

o o 29. At least 15” of landing space (minimum 16” deep) next to or above oven if it opens into primary traffic pattern; if it does not open into traffic, 15” x 16” landing space needed

o o 30. Continuous countertop 36” long and at least 16” deep for preparation center; prep center located by water source

o o 31. For two adjacent work centers, a minimum counter frontage equal to the longest of the two required counter lengths plus 12”

o o 32. No two primary work centers separated by full-height, full-depth tall tower unit (i.e. pantry or refrigerator)

o o 33. Minimum clearances for seating areas:

o o 30” high table/counter: 30” wide x 19” deep table/counter for each seated diner with 19” clear knee space

o o 36” high counter: 24” wide x 15” deep counter space for each seated diner with 15” clear knee space

o o 42” high counter: 24” wide x 12” deep counter space for each seated diner with 12” of clear knee space

o o 34. No sharp counter edges

Room, Appliance, and Equipment Controls

o o 35. Controls, handles, and door and drawer pulls operational with one hand

o o 36. Wall-mounted room controls 15” to 48” above finished floor

o o 37. Ground fault circuit interrupters specified on all outlets

o o 38. Fire extinguisher visibly located in kitchen away from cooking gear and 15” to 48” above floor

o o 39. Window/skylight area covering at least 10 percent of total square footage of kitchen or total living space that includes kitchen

o o 40. Every work surface well-illuminated by appropriate task and/or general lighting



40 Planning Guidelines
National Kitchen Bath Association



Kitchen Planning Guide



Kitchen Planning Guide













Pictured: Custom Brands Construction Cabinets


Kitchen Planning Guide


New Kitchen Planning Guidelines

Kitchen Planning summary of guidelines by National Kitchen Bath Association.




Kitchen guidelines stated are starting points rather than the rule. They may apply to your kitchen, while others may seem irrelevant. Do not get hung up on a guideline if you think of a better way to address your needs.

NOTE - The guidelines may go into too much detail for you, depending on how involved you want to be in the actual measuring and space planning of your kitchen.

Kitchen's Work Triangle
The NKBA defines the work triangle of the kitchen as an imaginary straight line drawn from the center of the sink, to the center of the cook top, to the center of the refrigerator, and finally back to the sink.

The triangle formed by these imaginary lines should total 26 feet or less, with no single leg of the triangle shorter than 4 feet or longer than 9 feet. The work triangle should also not intersect an island or peninsula by more than 12 inches.

If the kitchen has only one sink, it should be placed between or across from the cooking surface, preparation area, or refrigerator. Such standards are meant to ensure that the cook won’t be cramped, waste steps, or be interrupted by traffic through the kitchen. The work triangle has been criticized for being too restraining for kitchens where another arrangement may be more appropriate, particularly in kitchens with more than one cook.

Two countertop heights should be offered , one 28 inches to 36 inches above the finished floor and the other 36 inches to 45 inches above the finished floor. The different countertops make the kitchen more convenient for cooks of different heights, for seated cooks, and for bakers who can more comfortably roll dough at the lower height.

Verify no entry, appliance, or cabinet doors block each other when open. In a kitchen with an island, an appliance or cabinet door on the island shouldn’t hit an appliance or cabinet door across from it.

To improve the function and accessibility of the kitchen, include at least five storage or organizing items, such as roll-out shelves, lowered wall cabinets, raised base cabinets, tall cabinets, appliance garages, storage bins, cutlery dividers, swing out pantries.

Microwave ovens should be placed so that the bottom of the appliance is 24 inches to 48 inches above the floor. The final placement should be based on the cook’s physical abilities. If a seated cook or a child will use the microwave, for example, it may need to be lower.

Windows and skylights should equal at least 10 percent of the total square footage of the separate kitchen or of the full living space that includes the kitchen.


Kitchen Planning Guide


Kitchen Remodeling Zones

Kitchen Remodeling
Four Kitchen Zones


Kitchen Zones:

Food Prep Cooking Baking Cleaning


Kitchen Zone One: Food Prep
The food prep zone is the area of the kitchen where you slice and dice. If your kitchen is spacious enough to accommodate an island cabinet, the food prep zone would be well placed there. It’s helpful to include another sink for rinsing fruits and vegetables, as well as including a refrigerator drawer for milk and eggs if your main refrigerator isn’t easily accessible.

In your food prep zone include:
Butcher block pullout (if you aren’t working on a butcher block surface)
Drawer for knives
Pullout drawers for mixing, measuring and serving items
Pullout trash center


Kitchen Zone Two: Baking Zone
This area is built for fun! :-) The baking zone is where cookies, breads, and casseroles come to life. Aside from the appropriate countertop space and material (marble slabs work best for rolling dough), you’ll need to keep a number of your kitchen's supplies within easy reach.

Include:
Drawers for storing small items like cookie cutters
Storage Bins for flour and sugar
Pull Out Tray divider for baking sheets and pizza pans
Drop down cookbook rack
Drawers for rolling pins, measuring cups, and teaspoons
·Easy-to-reach cabinet space for heavy casserole dishes and mixing bowls
Storage for oven mitts, pot holders, and trivets
Divided utensil storage for spatulas and wooden spoons
Pop-up stand for your mixer

Kitchen Zone Three: Cooking Zone
The kitchen's cooking zone is always a hot place to be. The cooking zone is where fire enters the picture. Centered around the range or cook top, this is the spot where stir-fry, spaghetti, and sauces and steaks sizzle. You may want to keep your microwave and toaster oven here as well.

Include:
Deep drawers for pans
Shallow drawers for pot lids
Spice drawer (or cleverly hidden racks in pull outs)
Microwave cabinet for concealing and saving countertop space
Utensil drawer for spatulas and spoons

Kitchen Zone Four: Cleaning Zone
Next to your sink and dishwasher, the cleaning area of the kitchen is the home of water and washing. Keep “water dependent products” like your coffeemaker and salad spinner nearby. You’ll also be emptying the last bits of lasagna and soup into containers here, so keep storage supplies nearby. Include space for an adequate number of cleaning and drying supplies, as well as a convenient way to store clean dishware.

Include:
Pullout rack for dishtowels
Plate rack for storing daily or occasional dinnerware
Under sink pullout for dishwashing detergent and cleaner
Tilt out sink tray for sponges and scrubber
Drawer for aluminum foil, paper, and plastic wrap storage
Pullout drawer for Tupperware, divided for lids and containers

Although not directly involved in the four zones of the kitchen remember the “dining zone.” There is more flexibility involved with designing your eating area, however do consider adding easily accessible storage for tablecloths, place-mats, napkins, or infrequently used chinaware.


Kitchen Remodeling
Four Kitchen Zones



Kitchen Layout Safety

Kitchen Layout
Dangerous Kitchens
Kitchen Safety


Kitchen Layouts and Kitchen Safety
According to the National Safety Council many serious accidents take place in the kitchen. The placement of appliances and the arrangements of the work spaces reduce or eliminate many hazards, yet designers and safety experts also recommend safety measures for specific danger points.

Stove
Kitchen's Stove is also called the Range
Controls at the front or sides , not at the back of the burners.

Keep a Fire Extinguisher in the Kitchen
Hang an ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher that is especially designed for grease fires. Locate it within easy reach of the range - but be careful: Do not hang it directly above the cook top , where you might have to reach through a fire's flames to get at it.

Light Fixtures Out of Contact
Locate hanging or wall mounted light fixtures at least 6 feet 8" above the floor unless they hang over an island, a base cabinet, or a table.

GFI Receptacles
Install a feed-through-type receptacle ground-fault interrupter to protect receptacles at or near a sink. (GFI is intended only for ordinary 120-volt circuits)

Remove Dangerous Tools and Chemicals
Isolate the storage areas in your kitchen from dangerous tools and chemicals. Store your sharp knives and choppers separately from other utensils, and store cleaning products separately from food.



Kitchen Layout
Dangerous Kitchens
Kitchen Safety

Kitchen Remodeling Safe Layouts

Remodeling Kitchens
Kitchen Layout
Kitchen Safety




















Remodeling Kitchens
Kitchen Layout
Kitchen Safety




Main Activity Center is The Sink
The Kitchen Sink receives 40 to 46 % of all the kitchen use.

18" of counter space is great on each side of the sink. If more space is available - add 6 - 8 " on one side for preparing food and stacking unwanted dishes, and 10 - 20 inches on the other for draining and stacking washed dishes.

With a DW (Dish Washer) 24 inches of counter space will be provided next to a sink. For a sink near a counter-top corner allow at least 14 inches between a sink center line and the corner.
Ideally the sink is the Center of the work triangle. (4 to 6 feet of the range and 4 to 7 feet of the refrigerator) Dishwasher - 12" from the sink. (Avoid right angles to the sink where you will have to move away from the sink every time you open the dish washer door)

Single bowl sink is adequate for kitchens with a dishwasher, use a double bowl model if you plan to wash and rinse dishes by hand. In a double sink, at least one of the two bowls should be large enough for a roasting pan (pan at least 20" long)


Kitchen Injuries

Where do most kitchen injuries occur? Passing from the kitchen to the dining area. Avoid an arrangement where passing people are likely to brush against the range ( stove ), and never place a range under a window. (Grease - laden curtains blaze up easily)

Allow at least 15" of counter space beside the range for resting pots and setting out serving dishes or 24" if space allows in your kitchen's layout. A range with less than 10" between burners must have at least 10" of counter-top space (Or 16" from the center of the burner) on each side , so that pot handles will not jut into the work area.

Wall Cabinets over the range should be at least 30" above the cook-top surface.

A Large Kitchen may want a separate oven and range. An oven is used the least of all kitchen appliances - and can lie outside the work triangle without a significant loss of efficiency (less than 10 % of the trips to and from the activity center). If a wall oven - the bottom of the wall oven should be 3" below elbow height (A level minimizing the chance of burning an arm on an oven rack and is comfortable for turning or basting food)

Refrigerator Location - End of counter where it will not cut counter space. Hinge the refrigerator away from the counter where the open door will not block work space. To allow heat from the condenser coils at the back of the refrigerator - allow at least 3 " between the top of the unit and any overhanging cabinets and 1 - 2" between the side and an adjoining wall or broom closet.

Island or Peninsula Cabinet may hold any of the three activity centers, yet islands are seldom practical in an average kitchen because they need at least 5 feet of floor space on one of their long sides and three feet along their short side. Even though you have adequate space for an island, avoid using it for the range or the main sink: Both centers need more counter space than most island installations permit.

With limited space - activity centers may share counter space. (When doing this try to add 1 foot to minimum counter-top space) Also at some point (usually between the refrigerator and sink) try to keep at lest 36" of counter space for a mixing and food-preparation center.

A large kitchen permits more variations, but has one limitation: Try not to exceed the maximum recommended dimensions. Extra counter space means extra steps between the work centers- and extra work for the cook. A proper sized work triangle is essential in any kitchen.



Remodeling Kitchens
Kitchen Layout

Kitchen Safety

Kitchen Remodels New Kitchen Designs


Kitchen Remodels
New Kitchen Designs
Kitchen Layout


Sizing Kitchens
Understanding the Step Saving Triangle

To prepare two meals (breakfast and dinner) a family cook often walks 100 miles a year. As much as one third of this kitchen pacing may be wasted motion, due to appliances placed for saving dollars in construction or remodeling.

In an efficient kitchen there are three " activity centers". The kitchen activity centers consist of the refrigerator, the sink and the range. These activity centers in a kitchen should lie within easy reach of the cook - and according to a study made at Cornell University, better placement of these activity centers can eliminate as much as 40 miles a year from the kitchen marathon.

There are Four Basic Kitchen Layouts

(There also are variations to the four basic kitchen layouts)

The corridor kitchen.
The L kitchen.
The U kitchen.
The one - wall kitchen.


Two variations are the Double L and the G kitchen layouts.

The 3 activity centers make up 3 points called the "work triangle"
(The refrigerator, the sink and the range).

Usually - The smaller the triangle the greater the efficiency.

In an efficient kitchen - the sides of the triangle add up to no more than 23 feet.

Additional Kitchen Considerations: Each activity center must also have a minimum of counter area and storage volume. 48" between facing base cabinets or appliances. (There is Enough space to stand at an open cabinet, refrigerator, or oven while another person edges past)



Kitchen Remodels
New Kitchen Designs

Kitchen Layout

Kitchen Remodeling Myths Kitchen Planning

Kitchen Remodeling Myths
Planning Kitchen Remodels
New Kitchen Guide



















Kitchen Remodeling Myths
Planning Kitchen Remodels
New Kitchen Guide



Kitchen Planning
Myths When Remodeling a Kitchen


Kitchen Myth Number One:
1- I'll DO IT LATER. Cable, Phone wires, and extra lighting is much easier to do it at the start of a project- plan ahead for those kids, & the kid in you.

Kitchen Myth Number Two:
2 - I DON'T NEED A DESIGNER. That looks good doesn't it? If not... we will just buy another kitchen. :-) Changing a design later... Not a good idea... Before you start... On paper. See your kitchen options with a new kitchen plan.

Kitchen Myth Number Three:
3 - I WANT IT CAUSE THEY HAVE IT. A large island may not work in a smaller area, make sure your layout fits your home. Do not do it cause it is popular.

Kitchen Myth Number Four:
4 - I DON'T NEED IT. I don't need a microwave... 2 years later the couple decided to sell the home ... people loved gorgeous kitchen- yet- No microwave!

Kitchen Myth Number Five:
5. LOOKS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FUNCTION. Function is the main concern for a new kitchen. The general aesthetics is needed mainly to impress visitors. This average in the U. S. other than close family is once to twice a month. Functionality of the kitchen comes into play over 50 Times a day.

Sarah Briarsma - Removed Pantry for glass lighted up Curio Cabinet... not realizing she needed the extra storage space!

Kitchen Myth Number Six:
6. BIGGER KITCENS ARE BETTER.


What is the dollar amount for Kitchen Remodeling Companies to install a new kitchen?
This can range from a few thousand dollars for low end white prefabricated ones to tens of thousands of dollars for custom built hardwood cabinets with complex trim and all the options.
Be sure to plan your kitchen remodeling and understand your goals.

What Remodeler should you work with for your new kitchen?
Generally find a remodel company to fit your style of living. Choosing a remodel company who uses a computer program that shows elevations (pictures) is usually a good idea if you do not work with an interior designer. Often the computer programs will include rooms around your kitchen, and some even include the furniture!


Kitchen Remodeling Myths
Planning Kitchen Remodels

New Kitchen Guide



Kitchen Countertop Selecting

Kitchen Countertops
Countertop Selection


Kitchen Countertop Selection
How do I Decide on a style of Counter top for my Kitchen?



When looking to find the right Kitchen Countertop do not head out your front door without your cabinet door as you go countertop shopping. A sample made all the difference on a recent trip to the showroom. With a custom oak raised panel door in hand, a designer helped his client quickly settle on a light white speckled countertop with distinctive veining and a soft patina inserted. The client looking for the new countertop found she was willing to trade some durability for what she felt was the perfect complement to her new cabinets.

As you compare the Kitchen Countertop features use the following guidelines:

Look If you prefer:
Then choose:

Manmade materials
Laminate, solid surface, stainless steel, or concrete countertop

Natural materials
Stone, tile, or wood countertop

Consistent color
Plastic laminate, solid surface, or stainless steel countertop

A speckled or veined appearance
Stone countertop Integral sinks Solid surface, stainless steel, or concrete countertop

A textured feel
Tile or concrete countertop

Decorative edge treatments
Solid surface, wood, laminate, or concrete countertop

A statement-making back splash
Tile countertop

Countertop Needs
If you need to: Then choose:

Dice, chop, and slice
Any stone or wood countertop

Roll dough and make pastries
Marble, another stone, or stainless steel countertop

Set down hot stuff
Any stone, tile, stainless steel, or concrete countertop

Spill without staining or having to first apply sealants
Solid surface, engineered quartz, or stainless steel countertop

Perform little or no maintenance
Laminate, solid surface, or stainless steel countertop

Protect kids and the elderly
Any material with the corners rounded



Kitchen Countertops
Countertop Selection