How to Evaluate a Kitchen Floor Plan

A kitchen makeover may be one of the most expensive and complicated projects you decide to undertake in your home. In 2005, the average cost for a mid-range kitchen remodel was $43,862 and an upscale remodel was $81,552, according to Remodeling magazine. Before shelling out big bucks, choose a kitchen floor plan that addresses these three areas: storage, preparation and clean-up. And if your family tends to gather in the kitchen, you’ll want to make sure your kitchen design includes adequate seating.

A professional space planner and kitchen expert can help plan your kitchen remodel, or you can get help from a local home improvement store. You also can get ideas for your kitchen design with online tools and software that allow you to draw your dream kitchen.

Classic vs. Modern Layouts
Traditional kitchen designs are usually based on U-shaped, L-shaped, or galley layouts that place the refrigerator, sink, and stove in a triangle. But more people are choosing to design kitchens with multiple work centers that include kitchen countertops and an island. Adding a kitchen island can create separate small work stations for families who like to prepare meals together, as well as add a place for a second sink or cooktop. Kitchen islands also create additional storage for items that don’t fit in cabinets.

Good Flow
Your kitchen floor plan should include careful measurements. For instance, the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s kitchen planning guidelines recommend that no entry door should interfere with safely operating appliances, and give tips for measuring kitchen countertops, walkways, kitchen cabinets, and seating areas. You’ll also want to think carefully about where you place appliances and make sure kitchen countertops have adequate space for food preparation and clean-up. Your kitchen floor plan should offer as much storage space as possible so you’ll have to decide what kind of kitchen cabinets will best fit your space.

Depending on your budget, a kitchen makeover may involve completely changing your kitchen floor plan, or just upgrading appliances and countertops in your existing layout. But the most important factor when starting your remodeling project is to make sure the kitchen floor plan you select fits with your lifestyle.

Sources
Remodeling magazine
Hometime.com
National Kitchen & Bath Association

About the Author
Francine L. Huff is a freelance journalist, the author of The 25-Day Financial Makeover: A Practical Guide for Women, and has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows.

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