Plan Your Kitchen Makeover to Match Your Lifestyle

by Mary Butler

Some questions to consider include: Are you an entertainer? Do you love to cook? Do you pay your bills and use your computer in the kitchen? Is the kitchen where your children normally do their homework? Do you like to listen to music while you cook? Is there normally more than one person cooking?

Start Your Kitchen Remodel with a Floor Plan
Unless you're expanding your kitchen into another room or building onto your house, you already have a footprint with which to work. Consider hiring a kitchen designer or architect who can help you maximize space and tailor your kitchen floor plan to meet your needs. Or if you're on a small budget, use software or online design tools that allow you to input the room's dimensions and experiment with different floor plans. Think about wiring the kitchen to add speakers for music or special task lighting.

Choose a Kitchen Design and Finishes that Fit Your Home
A large home would look strange with a small galley kitchen, and old-fashioned d?cor would hardly fit a mid-century modern ranch. A well-designed kitchen should suit your lifestyle and reflect your personal style. However, be sure to consider resale before you make design choices or add personal touches that might be off-putting. While it's tempting to go big, budget the remodel to match the value of your home and other homes in your neighborhood. Kitchen cabinets, for instance, should reflect your home's style. And don't splurge on one big-ticket appliance and skimp on the rest. If you remember to follow your head as well as your heart, your new kitchen should function as well as it looks.

Sources
Consumer Reports
HGTV.com

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