RENOVATING YOUR KITCHENS

10 HELPFUL TIPS

1.  Design wide walkways. Paths throughout a kitchen should be at least 92 cm wide. Paths within the cooking zone should be 106 cm wide for a one-cook kitchen and 122 cm wide for a two-cook configuration.
2. Direct traffic. For child-friendly kitchen designs, keep the cooktop out of traffic areas so children don’t catch handles and cause spills when running through.
3. Stay clear of corners. To make cabinet and appliance doors fully functional, plan space for the door’s clearance and swing direction so doors won’t bang into each other if open at the same time.
4. Determine the island’s function. When it comes to kitchen islands, form follows function. If you want to cook and eat on kitchen islands, plan enough space so the cooktop is safely separated from the dining area.
5. Chefs who love to cook require more counter space than those who cook infrequently or cook smaller meals.
6. If you are sick of lugging water-filled pots from the sink to the cooktop, a swing-out tap installed near the cooktop is a great option.
7. Make recycling easy. Equip a cabinet with separate containers for glass, plastic, and metal.
8. Add a message board to your kitchen. It’s a great way to plan weekly menus and create shopping lists.
9. Install multiple outlets along with the backsplash and on the island so you’ll have electricity wherever you need it.
10. Avoid everything clashing by picking one focal point in your kitchen design, be it a unique range hood, bright cabinets or fancy floor tiles. They should all complement each other.

5 PITFALLS TO AVOID

1. Before renovating your kitchen and ripping out your old one, make sure it doesn’t have any Asbestos. Older kitchens may have harmful Asbestos in wall cavities and ceilings.
2. Your kitchen’s design will determine both its functionality and appeal, so a good balance is important. Otherwise, you’ll end up with an impractical kitchen that looks good – or an effective kitchen that doesn’t suit your style.
3. DIY enthusiasts can get in over their heads, resulting in more work and higher costs. Depending on your skill level and the extent of the kitchen renovation, it’s always best to get advice from a professional before you take up the challenge.
4. Making changes after work begins could break your budget. Ideally, you’d be 100% happy with the design of your new kitchen before the work starts.
5. Deciding to go with a flat-pack kitchen can be a great money-saving option but it’s not as simple as it looks. It’s best to try a small flat-pack project before you attempt a major kitchen reno.

Want to know more? Our expert team at BFC Building Group are happy to answer all your questions. Call our Young office on 02 6977 1494 and request a free consultation.