We know that many of you are home and dreaming of a kitchen remodel or renovation for the future. Taking the plunge and deciding to completely remodel your kitchen is a big step… especially considering the kitchen is the heart and soul of your home!

The kitchen should be designed to suit your family’s needs, and that’s going to look different for every family! While some families love to cook as a group, others use the space to relax and escape. Anyone else find cooking to be incredibly therapeutic?! So while the kitchen should, of course, look amazing, it also needs to be functional and reflect your family’s needs. To help you get started on the big task ahead, here’s our collection of tips and tricks that you need to know if you're in the midst of planning a kitchen reno from the comforts of home.

5 Tips To Plan A Kitchen Remodel From Home

Think About The Layout

Start with the basics. Decide and create a list of what you need in your kitchen, then see if there’s a bit of wiggle room for extra features that you might want. In other words, if you've ever dreamed of a kitchen of Martha Stewart-level organizational features this is the stage at which you plan for it! Once you know your needs and wants, you can start space planning! By taking approximate measurements of your kitchen floor space, working with your Bloomsbury designer, we can then start allocating basic elements. Where will each appliance go? Where will the seating, entryway and walking space be? How large will your island be?

Here's a quick breakdown of what you should "space plan" FIRST:

Doorways, windows & any structural elements like bulkheads, beams & posts that are existing or being relocated or added new. TIP: main entries should be 48-72” wide and secondary entries into pantries, mudrooms etc. should be 28-32” wide.
Have a swinging door or pocket door you never close? Consider removing the door and creating an archway - the open door takes up space and impedes workflow
Allow yourself at least 36 inches of space between cabinet-cabinet or cabinet-wall for walkways in a kitchen... and if you like cooking with others, bump that up to 42-48 inches minimum!

Will Your Dream Layout Function Together?

One of the most important things to consider in your kitchen layout is whether the moving parts will work together. Imagine your despair upon realizing that your cutlery drawer and dishwasher collide when both are open at the same time?! Or that your fridge is miles away from any counter surface when unloading your bags of groceries?! In order to create a cohesive, functioning kitchen, you will need to make sure that the drawers & appliances don’t collide and that you’ve thought throw how your work and use your kitchen.

Think About Counter Space

Once you know that your layout will function, ensure that you’ve allocated enough space (in the right location!) for kitchen counters. Many people make the mistake of choosing extra large sinks and ovens while skimping out on counter space. Remember, cooking in your kitchen will be much more enjoyable if you actually leave yourself some space!

Here's what you should account for:

Counter space near the fridge for unloading & unbagging groceries.
There should be at least 17-18 inches of clearance above your countertops.
You should allocate a 24-inch-wide span of countertop space next to a sink. This is essential for prep work... you'll thank us later!
And we can’t forget about counter space for seating! Allow 20-24” per stool for seating - depending on the size of your stool and whether you intend to use these seats for a casual glass of wine while chatting to “your chef” or a quick morning breakfast before soccer practice or a full romantic dinner for two!
Allow 18-24” beside your wall oven, steam oven, speed oven or microwave. This gives you a landing spot when taking dishes in and out of the oven. TIP: if you’re always juggling 2-3 pans at a time, then give yourself a little more room here so you can line them all up, ready to go!
Finally... the cooking surface! Plan for a minimum of 15 inches of countertop on each side of your range or cooktop surface. TIP: we prefer 24” either side of the range if possible to give a little more room when whipping up a delicious meal.

This is also a great time to start thinking about selecting the perfect countertop type for your kitchen remodel. From natural stone to man-made stone to wood... the options are endless!

Leave Room for Clever Storage

Another important factor to keep in mind is storage. Most design companies aren’t particularly creative when it comes to kitchen storage and simply whack in a few drawers and cupboards and call it a day. We aren't most companies...

There are a few amazing modern storage techniques that you can implement so that your kitchen is functional and easy to navigate. Try using pull out pantry shelving or a pantry with appropriately spaced all-wooden rollouts, corner cabinets with a built-in Magic Corner II or LeMans pullout system (both with soft-close!) for easy access to that hard-to-reach corner.. Have an obsession with artisan oils & vinegars? We admit, we do too! But that’s why we have custom fit bottle dividers and spice drawers for all your essentials. Our cutlery & utensil drawers also keep everything you need organized and close at hand. We have even done custom fit stainless steel drawer liners, like the one seen above, to preserve your fresh baked goodies, prolong the lifespan of your onions & potatoes, or safely store your flour & sugar in an airtight sealed compartment!

We've implemented tons of creative kitchen storage for our clients. Browse our kitchen portfolio to see if any of them suit your needs.

Design Plan - Bloomsbury Fine Cabinetry

At Bloomsbury Fine Cabinetry, we create custom-built cabinetry with high quality materials. Whether you’re after a simple, modern design, or you prefer classic, ornate luxury... we've got you covered. Our team is currently taking virtual and telecommunication appointments from the comforts of home, and would be more than happy to consult on your kitchen layouts for future projects with Bloomsbury Fine Cabinetry.

Onto The Fun Part... It's All In The Details

Once you’ve come up with a good kitchen layout, it’s finally time to start planning the design elements! Come up with a colour scheme and plan for the materials you want to use. Bloomsbury Tip: Pinterest can be a great source of inspiration! Browse for paint colours, materials, appliances and create an inspiration pinboard for some of your favourite finds! Oh... and don't forget about kitchen hardware finishes!

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The Best Advice For Planning Your Kitchen Remodel