Kitchens are the heart of the home. It is a vital part in the lifestyle of the families, used at morning, noon and evening. If you are the kind of person that stays all day long in the kitchen, cooking, cleaning and preparing the meal, you probably considered making a renewal or buying new kitchen furniture or equipment for it. It can be easy, fun and relatively cheaper than just do it yourself! You can transform your dreams into reality by designing, planning and installing your kitchen all by yourself or with your family. The best part is that you decide what to buy or design it yourself, you decide when to buy it and you decide when to install it. Without expenses for designers and work force, the overall sum will be significantly lower.

It could all be done in 3 easy steps.

Step 1

The first thing you have to do is to plan the layout of the kitchen. There are three important work centers – the worktop, the sink and the refrigerator. These three should be in close reach from each other – basically they form an imaginary triangle that repeats your most frequent movement in the kitchen. Everything should revolve around you, not the opposite. Usually an effective work triangle is considered to be the one that is no smaller than 3.6m when the length of the distances between the items is added together. It is advisable to start planning your kitchen from the corners as they are very difficult for maximizing when it comes to storage. You should be aware of the work flow in order to optimize the work triangle. You should also make plans for other activities such as cooking, cleaning, preparing food, serving and food storage. Remember to predict free space on each side of the sink and the worktop as it is of great importance for their convenient use. Keep in mind that electrical sockets have to be near electrical appliances and the lighting should be bright enough so the light can go to every corner of the room.

Step 2

The vigilant planning of your kitchen will make your experience there enjoyable and stress-free. A good staring point is to make a sketch of the kitchen and include unusual walls, shapes etc. Fixed features, gas points, windows and doors should also be included. The next step is to properly measure the room and make sure there will be enough space for the features and appliances you have decided to install. Be sure that the bottom end of the window is higher than the bench top. It will be easier to start the planning from one corner and proceed clockwise, as in this way the chance for making mistakes will be reduced.

Never forget to take in mind where plumbing, electricity, windows and doors are. Moving these at a later stage easily can mess your accounts. It is a good idea to place the sink in front of the window – the washing of the dishes will become a more pleasant task. Keep in mind that the oven should be at least 60cm away from the sink. Never put a fridge next to a worktop, as it will consume much more energy trying to keep the products cool.

Step 3

The last step consists of transforming your dream into reality. Be careful when installing features and appliances and do not forget to read their specifications in advance.

There is nothing left to be done, except enjoying the result of your work.