Long ago, the importance of the kitchen as a gathering place was practically non existent.  Over the years, the kitchen has been transformed into an area where busy families can enjoy precious time together.  The kitchen has opened up to include such features as televisions, fireplaces with comfortable seating, and computer areas.  Not just for cooking anymore, today’s kitchen design includes consideration of every member of the household, including the dog.

I am in the midst of helping a long time client remodel their kitchen.  The home, which was built several decades ago, is undergoing a desperately needed alteration so a plan was made which includes taking down walls to open more space for this active family to congregate.  While working with this close-knit family, I started thinking about how important it is to have a plan which involves every family member; the head chef is not the only one who will benefit from this kitchen redo.

Listed here are some important thoughts and ideas from an interior designer’s perspective for anyone who is considering taking on a kitchen remodel of any size:

-Assistance from a qualified kitchen designer will relieve unwelcome stress.  Investing in a professional’s time will eliminate the chance that you have forgotten an important detail.  Think of this fact when putting together a budget.

-Remember to pay homage to your home.  Architectural integrity is important when making changes to the interior of a house.  Try to keep the new layout and design in line with the rest of your home.

-A remodel allows a homeowner to do some major assessing; take the time to plan your new kitchen so that it is functional for everything from cooking, to entertaining, to homework.

-Consider having all finish selections, such as counter tops and cabinet knobs, chosen before the project gets underway.  This will keep you from blowing your budget on impulsive decisions.

-Lighting is not the most exciting part of a project, but should still be an important part of the plan.  Over-head lighting, task lighting, and decorative lighting should work together as a team while still performing their individual duties.

-If you watch “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” please remember that while the first word in that title may make for thrilling television, in reality this type of time table does not exist.  A kitchen remodel is perhaps the toughest home interior remodel for a family to endure.  However, the reward is well worth the wait… and headaches.

So, whether you simply want new counter tops or have been considering taking on the gruesome task of a full-scale kitchen remodel, first take into account these guidelines.  With the proper pre-planning, professional assistance and balanced budgeting, a once stress inducing project will go much smoother.