Home & Decor Kitchen & Bath

How To: Create the Perfect Kitchen

Kitchen by Sutcliffe Kitchens

Kitchen by Sutcliffe Kitchens

Are you planning a kitchen renovation? Don’t know where to start? Here are six things to consider before you start your kitchen renovation.

Kitchen by Sutcliffe Kitchens

Kitchen by Sutcliffe Kitchens

1. INVEST TIME IN CHOOSING A RENOVATOR

Look for a firm that has expertise in kitchen renovations, can provide references and has interior designers and craftspeople on staff.

2. COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Ensure that your renovator understands how the kitchen will be used. Will it be a social hub for a busy family, or a place for quiet meals?

3. REACH FOR QUALITY

Cabinets will be one of the most important investments in your kitchen. When choosing cabinets, Kevin Morrell of Sutcliffe Kitchens suggests investing in high quality cabinetry with a timeless design like Shaker style doors that will last through years of wear and tear without going out of style.

Kitchen by Sutcliffe Kitchens

Kitchen by Sutcliffe Kitchens

4. MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

Kitchens, for most families, are a heavy use area. It is important to consider this when choosing materials for workstations, specifically counter tops. Morrell advises that homeowners choose “functionality over looks” when choosing counter top materials. Materials like granite and quartz are a solid choice because they are long lasting and stain resistant.

5. LIFESTYLE

Kitchen islands are often a showcase for homeowners to express their personalities. When considering the design of an island, like any element in a kitchen, it is important to think of both immediate and long term use and needs. In islands, as in other parts of the kitchen, storage that is functional, easy to get at, and makes best use of space, holds long term value.

Kitchen by Sutcliffe Kitchens

Kitchen by Sutcliffe Kitchens

6. ALL OUT ON LIGHTING

“A nice thing about lighting is that you can change it easily,” Morrell says. You can show off your personal taste in your lighting choices without making a permanent style commitment.

BUDGET TIP: For homeowners who want to make budget-wise choices Morrell suggests “keeping accessories simple” while keeping functionality in mind. Designs free of trims, moulding, and columns may be more budget-friendly as can choosing some finishes over others. “Take the time to pull it all together. Focus on the planning work,” Morrell advises. “It will be one of the bigger investments in your home.

Text by J.Lynn Fraser, As Seen In Canadian Home Trends Fall 2014
All Photos Courtesy of Sutcliffe Kitchens

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Canadian Home Trends magazine gives you a personal tour of the most stunning homes and condos across Canada. You'll be inspired by a selection of accessible home décor products, trend reports, simple yet stylish DIY projects, and much more. In each issue, you are given the tools to recreate designer spaces you've always dreamt of having at home, in-depth renovation and design advice, colour palette and furniture pairings, and Canada's best places to shop.

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