Whether your cabinets have drifted out of style or your family is growing, you might opt for kitchen remodeling for a number of reasons. Before you move on to the finer details, you’ll have to decide on the overall layout of the room. For optimum efficiency and a cohesive design, use the following do’s and don’ts when creating your blueprint.

Do:

Use the triangle rule.

From filling the dog’s food bowl to emptying the dishwasher to checking on the cake in the oven, the kitchen can be the most hectic room in the house. Make it easier on yourself by placing your three main destinations—the sink, fridge, and stove—in a triangle. Your workflow will then easily gravitate from point to point, so you don’t bump into your helpers or knock a boiling pot of soup into the sink.

Keep clearance in mind.

Make sure the locations you choose for your appliances allow for enough room to use them. For example, once the trim is installed, you might not be able to open the fridge door next to the wall. The doors of adjacent cabinets should be able to open at the same time.

Don’t:

Skimp on storage space.

With everything from groceries to cookware in the kitchen, you’ll need as much storage space as you can get. Instead of relying on the pantry, install another row of cabinets in that space between the top of your existing cabinets and the ceiling.

In your island, install rolling drawer cabinets, and carve out an alcove where the dog can rest without accidentally tripping you.

Forget about natural light.

The location of the windows in your kitchen may also inform the layout of your workspace and dining areas. For example, you might want to position the breakfast table in front of the largest window, or turn it into a breakfast nook by installing a bay window.

If you like to cook, place the kitchen island in the direct path of warm afternoon light. If the kids are always playing outside, position the sink in front of a window where you can supervise them while washing dishes.

If you’re excited to start planning your kitchen remodeling project, enlist the help of Henry’s Services in Anchorage. The Alaskan-owned and -operated company will renovate your home’s outdated, worn-down, or storm-damaged areas, from bathrooms to outdoor decks. Call (907) 344-4200 to schedule an appointment, or visit the website to learn more about their services.