You're about to renovate your kitchen to make it a dream kitchen and you want it to make the cover page of decorating magazines? Why not! The kitchen is certainly the most popular room in a house, but it is also one of the most expensive to renovate. Retaining the services of an expert designer can therefore be a wise investment, even indispensable.

Kitchen designers are aware of the latest trends in kitchen renovation, materials to use, the type of lighting to be preferred and know the standards to be respected regarding the building code. Their expertise will save you time, money and a lot of frustration.

The kitchens have evolved a lot in recent years. Formerly small and rather hidden behind the house, they now emerge from the shadows by being more spacious and becoming the focal point of the house. The challenge for modern kitchen designs is to create a more open kitchen.

Working with a kitchen design specialist: the designer

Designing your ultimate kitchen should be a rewarding experience. After collecting ideas for your kitchen from various sources, the fun begins when you start to incorporate all the different design ideas into a coherent image of your perfect kitchen. This is the time to seek the help of a kitchen design specialist who can work with you on the design process.

The look of your renovated kitchen is good, ergonomics also

Some people who have improvised themselves have called us to the rescue because they had serious problems to solve in their new kitchen installed by the brother-in-law ... A built-in refrigerator whose door can not open completely because blocked by the too close, a dishwasher which, once opened to empty it, prevents access to half of the kitchen cabinets; errors can quickly accumulate.

In addition to creating the desired "wow" effect, a designer made sure your kitchen was functional. We spend several hours a week, so it is important that it is well organized, to facilitate and embellish the time spent in this room.

Tjhey will ask you a lot of questions and in some cases will even observe your movements in the kitchen to be able to configure your new kitchen according to your habits and will advise you on best practices to make your kitchen efficient. He will be able to propose configurations that you did not even think possible. He may suggest you eliminate the dinette to enlarge your kitchen and create a dining area on the giant island.

The designer will want to know if your kitchen is the gathering place when you receive the visit and if you want to be able to interact with your guests when cooking. Some people prefer to keep their eyes away from their kitchen. He will also want to provide storage space so that what you use often is easily accessible. In short, it will meet your needs so that you can enjoy your kitchen not only for its "look", but also for its functionality for several years.

A good kitchen designer will know if your kitchen would be more functional with an island, a peninsula, a mobile cart or simply more empty space. It also ensures that it is in perfect harmony with the work triangle. These design elements will be addressed at the beginning of the process and will ensure that the entire design is successful.

The designer will make a sketch of your kitchen cabinets. It can work with prefabricated cabinets, although the possibilities are more limited, or with tailor-made cabinets. This is another area where an experienced kitchen designer can save you a lot of time and frustration.

Once the sketch is put on paper, the designer can help you include the details that really make a kitchen a centerpiece. How about a shelf for cookbooks, a built-in coffee maker, a spice drawer, or an alcove to hide the toaster? Is a wine rack or wine cellar appropriate in your kitchen design? These are small details that you may not even have considered, but that can make a kitchen really extraordinary.

It will also be of invaluable help when selecting counters and back splashes. There are so many options of materials, colours and textures that this decision can become very formidable. Your kitchen designer will be able to sort out all the options and will help you incorporate every design element into your kitchen into a consistent unit.

As you decide on the features of your kitchen, the designer can make digital changes on his computer and show you exactly what design changes will look like in your finished kitchen. You can find two superb design aspects individually, but they may not necessarily go well together. Viewing changes on a computer screen can help you avoid making a bad decision that you might regret later.

Prepare your first meeting with your contractor

Before the first meeting with a contractor, it is good to have a general idea of ​​what you want (types of materials, style, etc.). This will facilitate your initial encounter. Search magazines and websites for ideas or inspiration for your kitchen renovation project. A picture is worth a thousand words and will allow the designer to fully understand what you would like to have.

Take time to note what you like or dislike about your current cuisine. Visit friends or relatives and do the same exercise. The more information you need to provide the designer, the easier it will be for you to help and advise you.

Do you need to change your appliances?

This question is very important before you go too far in the process. If you choose to keep your current electros, it will certainly be simpler to take measurements. However, if you wish to change them, you must inform your designer so that he / she can consider this item. Today's appliances are no longer of standard size and several options are offered; refrigerator two doors with ice or water dispenser, pantry, hob and separate or combined oven, gas or electric.

In short, a lot of points need to be taken into consideration when the designer makes the plans.

What is your budget?

Sometimes there is a big gap between what you want and what you can afford. For this reason, your designer needs to know your budget. No need to offer high-end materials if your budget does not allow it. There are opportunities for all portfolios.

Even if they cannot perform miracles, designers can, thanks to their experience and know-how, maximize your dollars so that you can get the most for your money. Some concessions here and there, substitution of noble materials for imitations, different configuration or other adjustments, and the trick is played!

Plans for your new kitchen

Rome was not built in one day and your kitchen will not be built either. Your designer will not arrive at your dream kitchen at the first draft. It is a good idea to determine beforehand how many modifications of plans will be permitted before signing the contract or exchanging money.

The process of designing your new kitchen should be fun and rewarding. Adopt a positive attitude and a sense of adventure in the process, be open to suggestions and together you and your kitchen designer will be able to design a kitchen where you will truly be proud to put your chef talents to work.

As in the majority of large projects, it is crucial to be well prepared for the realization of these projects and not to rush things. Do not be afraid, your patience and your efforts will be rewarded