Kitchen Design Orange County Get Local Help with 4 Steps to a Successful Kitchen Remodel

As a Kitchen Design Orange County specialist, we’ve seen our fair share of kitchen design projects. One theme we’ve seen for all the most successful projects is a well organized client, with a clear idea about their wants and needs. The more prepared you are the easier and faster the project can move along, and you’ll be happier with the results. So here’s 4 quick and easy steps to follow to start off on the right foot.
1. Create a Design Notebook
a. Get some ideas and inspiration from the home décor magazines
b. Search in Google Images under ‘Kitchen Cabinets’
c. Get the brochures from your local kitchen cabinet store
d. Create a design notebook, that you’ll use through the process to keep track of the project
e. Make sure you remember to take pictures of the old kitchen, especially if you plan in reselling
Knowing what is possible, and taking inspiration from other designs is critical to getting it right from the very beginning. Only the most creative people can imagine exactly what they want with their remodel, the rest of us need to look elsewhere for our inspiration. As you’re not likely to tackle this again within about 15 years, it’s important you include all the things you think are important today and for what you’ll need in the future.
2. Analyze the Existing Kitchen
It starts with asking the question, what don’t I like about my existing kitchen? This could open up a whole lot of issues, but it’s going to be the best question to ask if you want to make sure the kitchen meets your needs. This should also be you do with your partner or family as each member of the family might have different ideas about the features of the perfect kitchen. Some other things you might consider when trying to get the kitchen design ideas flowing,
a. What do you hope to gain by a kitchen remodel?
b. Maybe it’s the lack of storage space, a common complaint?
c. Maybe the kitchen is too small for two cooks at a time?
d. Do you need to add lighting? Natural or Artificial?
Also, think about the future. How is your family going to change? Planning means you must anticipate your family expanding, aging, or reducing in size.
3. Take a Measure
A great kitchen starts with an accurate measurement. You must be sure to measure the room carefully, in order to sketch out the current layout. You can use many free online tools or just basic graph paper to get a sense to scale/layout. Your layout should indicate electrical outlets, entry/exit paths, doorways, windows, obstructions, vent areas, and spaces between cabinets. This list is far from complete, and your initial layout should be a rough draft. You’ll need to do a more detail measurement before ordering cabinets or have the contractor you are working with measure again before ordering cabinets.
When you move onto the next step, you’ll need to have completed this step before you can even begin working with a designer. The more preparation you can do the better.
4. Make an Appointment
Most reputable kitchen design firms will offer a free consultation and kitchen design. They all use similar types of kitchen design software that makes the translation of your idea from paper to a blueprint quite easy. As is the case with most construction or design related projects, the end result will be equal to the effort and preparation you do in the beginning.
When you first sit down with the kitchen design specialist you’ll need your drawings, your wish list, and bring your scrapbook of ideas, pictures, notes, anything to help the kitchen designer visualize what you hope your finished kitchen will look like. You’ll find the hours spent preparing will mean less design revisions, as the kitchen designer is likely to produce an initial draft much closer to your expectations.
Also, be realistic. A kitchen remodel is one of the most disruptive construction projects you can take on, and when the designer says it could take 6-8 weeks to finish, plan on at least 8 weeks and maybe a couple more. We’ll have a series of articles that follow the other stages of a successful kitchen cabinet remodel and kitchen design.

CA Professional Cabinet is a trusted supplier of Granite Countertops Orange County and a we offer a wide selection of Prefab Granite Countertops Orange County. Call for a free quote, as we offer free design consultation, free kitchen design and a large selection of kitchen cabinets, factory direct cabinets, and wood flooring.