Most new houses today come with a good kitchen plan, however you may to add, change or in some cases, re-do the whole plan of your kitchen to more closely suite your personal needs. However, before you start to do any of this you may want to keep in mind some or all of the following guidelines:

Always have the plan of your kitchen with you

When you go to pick your cabinetry and meet the kitchen sales person you should always have your plan with you. The more information you include on your plan the better. You want to make sure that the overall size; window and door openings, switches outlets and existing plumbing are all noted. You may also want to take note of ceiling heights and any alcoves or difficult corners you may have.

*In most cases, you should call ahead and make an appointment beforehand or else you may end up waiting a while.

Always have a budget in mind

It is quite important that you have a ballpark figure of what you intend to spend on your kitchen. Keep in mind that any upgrades may impact your budget. This will help to determine the direction to go that will best suit your needs. This may mean different hardware choices, wood types, style of door etc� This will also save a lot of valuable time for everybody.

Check the doors for craftsmanship

Is there any cracks or chips, spaces or gaps in the doors? Are they all lined up properly or are some uneven. Can you see streaks in the finish? This can all be a sign of a quality control problem and you should be concerned.

Check to see what type of design service is available

Look through their portfolio of previous kitchens they have done. Do they offer a design service and ideas, or do you tell them exactly what you want. If this is the case you may want to have some assistance in the design process.

What does the quote include?

Does it include hardware, counter-tops, & installation? Sometimes when there is extra cabinetry involved there may be an extra installation charge (I strongly recommend having the cabinets installed by the kitchen company. Even if you have a very skilled carpenter, If a cabinet does not fit, or gets dropped, this is the companies responsibility and will be replaced as opposed to you having to replace it). The quote will generally include these things discussed above but will not generally include things like tile backsplash, electrical or plumbing services or appliances.

Make a list

Be sure to be clear about what you want. Make a list that includes: what type of storage do you want (glass shelves, pantries, drawers, pots and pans, 30" or 40" high upper cabinets etc�)

What do you use your kitchen for, i.e. paying bills, kids doing homework, entertaining, laundry duties (many kitchen place can build in laundry facilities ironing board etc)…

You Say You Have Tight Budget

Even if you have a tight budget, there are ways to enhance the look of a standard kitchen without breaking the bank.

Countertops

If you love the look of granite but just cannot afford the expense of it, maybe you can just do the island. Or insert it just around your cook-top or into your counter as a place to set hot pots or as a baking centre.

You can also stay just with laminate and get it finished with a wood edge stained to match your cabinets.

Hardware

Maybe you have seen some great handles that you love but they are way to expensive, you can just buy a few and strategically place them on only the drawers or on just a few of the cabinet doors to create interest.

Doors

Maybe you have some nice dishes you would like to display. Instead of going to the expense of glass doors, you can just leave the cabinets open and have them finished on the inside. This is a great look, but beware, they will probably need to be dusted.

Backsplash

I would recommend going for a tile backsplash (or something else if your creative) rather than one that is pre-moulded in the counter-top. This tends to look a little dated in kitchens and you can get some fairly inexpensive tiles that can add lots of interest.

The main thing to remember is that it is your kitchen, and usually one of the most important rooms in your home. So it is definitely worth taking some time out to think about what it takes to meet all your needs and requirements. By following these guidelines you too can have the kitchen you have always wanted. Before you start any kitchen renovation you should always call a designer first who will have your interests at heart.

This article was provided by CPI Interior Inc. Lisa Hampel is an Interior Design Consultant with CPI Interiors Inc. in Ottawa and can be reached at 613-599-5564 ext 26 or toll free 1-866-446-4415 ext 26, or online at www.cpiinteriors.ca .