Kitchen remodeling can be a fun experience for homeowners. This is especially true when going over potential redesigns with an experienced contractor. Unfortunately, some homeowners focus too much on the types of countertops or cabinets that they’d like to have in their new kitchen that they overlook key areas that are just as important.
If you are planning to have kitchen remodeling done in your Atlanta home in the near future, make sure you don’t overlook these four factors.
Ventilation and Exhaust
Proper ventilation exhaust in your kitchen is more important than you think. Frying and other cooking methods that involve the use of oil can cause grease to evaporate and linger in the air, significantly reducing the indoor air quality of your home. This may lead to health complications, especially if a family member has asthma or allergies.
Installing a range hood or other exhaust solutions and placing windows strategically should be among the very first things you thoroughly discuss with your kitchen remodeling contractor.
Lighting
In a space filled with heavy pots, boiling water, sharp knives, and other hazards, safety should always be a priority—which is why proper lighting is important in any kitchen. A well-lit kitchen allows you to clearly see what you are doing, helping you avoid accidents like cutting a finger or tripping over something on the floor.
It may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised by the number of homeowners who overlook proper lighting as they plan a major remodel.
Spacing
There are also times when homeowners focus too much on the aesthetics of their new kitchen that they forget all about functionality. This often results in workspaces that are just a little too far from each other, leading to reduced efficiency and safety. After all, it can be difficult to have to completely go around your kitchen island just to fill a pot with water and walk back to your stove.
If your new design requires you to walk more than a few steps from your stove to your work counter and to the refrigerator and pantry, you may need to redesign the spaces closer to each other.
Electrical Outlets
Technology has advanced far faster than we could’ve imagined a few years back. Now, smart appliances and the like are taking over homes across Atlanta and the rest of the United States. The drawback, however, is the number of electrical outlets your new kitchen will need to accommodate all the new appliances you’re planning to bring into your kitchen.
Make sure you have enough to cover items that need to be plugged in at all times, as well as several unused sockets for other smaller appliances. This saves you the time and hassle of having to plug and unplug items constantly.
These are only a few areas that some homeowners overlook. The best way to make sure you have all bases covered is to consult your kitchen remodeler. A trusted contractor will be able to help you see what other areas you may have missed in the initial design.
Sources:
What’s the Most Overlooked Feature When Planning a Kitchen Remodel, Dwell.com
10 Overlooked Kitchen Remodeling Details, WoodworkingNetwork.com
