APEX Construction Management (APEX Design-Build) understands that your kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s the one space in your home everyone calls theirs, so it needs to work for multiple people and serve multiple purposes. The APEX philosophy on kitchen design is summed up in one short statement, “Builders design kitchens for houses. We design kitchens for people.” Your kitchen needs to be a perfect fit for the way you use it every day.
We’ve compiled a list of the things you should consider when planning your new kitchen. This list has been refined over many years of experience from both a personal and professional perspective. We hope that you find this helpful:
- Workflow. Good design takes into consideration many factors including how many people tend to be in the kitchen at the same time. You need room to work and your family and guests need space to socialize. Be sure the counters, island, range, and refrigerator all work together. The work triangle is a key design element that ties together the sink, the range, and the refrigerator.
- Counter Space. Most people who regularly cook and entertain in a kitchen will agree there is no such thing as too much counter space. Whether you’re preparing a meal or setting up a buffet for your son’s hockey team dinner, having extra counter space makes time in the kitchen more organized and calm.
- Storage. Another factor in keeping things calm in the kitchen is having enough storage space. Pots that are continually falling out of the cabinets or drawers over flowing with unorganized kitchen gadgets make things more stressful and increase your meal prep time. There are so many exceptional features in cabinets today, it’s possible to make the most of every square inch in a kitchen thus making a space for everything so everything can have a place.
- Lighting. If you can’t see, how can you cook? Even if your eyesight is 20/20 it’s still nice to have proper task lighting to read a recipe, measure a quarter cup of something, or to make sure all the crumbs are dusted from your counter when finished for the day.
- Flooring. Some days in the kitchen are longer than others. Be sure your floor is friendly to your feet and back. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) has become a very popular choice for kitchen flooring. This product looks like wood or tile, but gives you the benefit of a softer and warmer surface that helps reduce fatigue. LVT flooring also helps prevent some items from breaking items if they are dropped.
- Power Sources. Outlets are important! Think of all the extra small appliances you use when you’re in the kitchen. Hunting for a power outlet will make whatever you’re doing more time consuming and frustrating.
- Ventilation. Having proper ventilation in your kitchen is a must! The fish you made on Monday smells terrible the next day when it’s still lingering in the air.
Things to consider when purchasing a range vent include; a) Will the range vent exhaust straight up, out the side wall, or is it a downdraft unit? b) The vent must be installed properly, including providing sufficient make up air to meet code requirements if the output is greater than 300 cubic feet per minute. c) The physical size must be equal to or wider than the range that covers. d) How loud is it when turned on?
Ready to start your next remodel? Call us today to get started!
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