What is in planing your kitchen or cabinets?

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Kitchens and bathrooms today are constructed from many different parts. We use cooking appliances for the preparation of food using varying methods for different cultures. While the western world has come a long way in the last few hundred years many other countries still use conventional cooking methods. Some special consideration needs to be given to the use of the area in question before starting in the planning or designing stages.

This document deals with the designing and planning steps that can be used in kitchen, cabinet, carcasses, cupboards for people who wish to build things. This is a story that has been written for the KitchenPages. If any offensive meaning is made to you, or taken by you the reader, it is suggested you exit this document that has offended you. In short, you can devise a simple three-step plan:

Step one: Would be to find out how you want to use the space.
Step two: Could be more about your design.
Step three: Should be the pricing and costing stages with little or no re-designing.

An example could be:

Step 1. Domestic use, electric/gas appliances, sink, Cooking meals, cleaning dishes/cups/plates, storing dishes/cups/plates, serving foods, prepare food, cleaning food, pots, and pans. Generally you can look at the room for renovations to other items like the floors, walls, and the ceiling. (Others could be: function rooms, dining room, seraviary, commercial use, and the added works of renovating plumbing and drains to alteration of electrical works). Start by writing these changes down, also the writing continues through all three steps so you do need a lot of time.

Step 2. Now you have some sort of idea on the room you want to create. The design stage will affect the overall cost of the project. The style and type of construction depends on the design. Solid timber costs more while veneered mediums are cheaper. Also where you want your appliances can affect the look, cost and use of the area in question. A good way is to look at other people's kitchens, and how they use them. How big the food preparation, hotplates, cooking spaces, and where they are to where you would like them.

To draw a plan view you can start by sketching in the Fridge, oven, microwave, cooktops, taps, sink, stove, hotplates, finishing off with dishwashers, and microwaves as they are often hard to place in some smaller kitchens. Then add basic lines to show cupboards depths on any base and wall cabinets you want. Next comes the look. Just pick a style and some shade of colour. It is to hard to get your hart set on something only to find out you can not afford or get it. This applies to your appliances and your rooms final look, and total walking distance (marked in blue below - also helps with door direction as the Fridge for example should be hinged on the side closest to the wall for allowing an open door access from the marked triangle). You also need remember a certain look, or style can cost more compared to standard items.

Step 3. This is the most time consuming part of your project. It will also be the most constant part because after finishing you have to work with the appliances. Cheaper brands may require shields or special considerations. While saying this I know of two major brands that require their own personal to install their appliances. You will have to allow for this in your costing.

Another thing you need to do would be to get your plan professionally drawn up with the aid of using 3D design computer software. A cheaper way is to find a local manufacturer who you trust and deal with them. Please get other prices but never compare one trade persons work with another. You will come off second best.

After you have a quotation your happy with, go ahead with your final design. Include any door styles, colouring, benchtops, floor coverings, wall tiles, and paints in your requirements. Some Extra information will be required by the persons completing the project. This includes your contact information. A specification sheet of colours or styles may help that you can add to your quotation to confirm your choices.

Take two or more copies, you will need more later for references as building plans tend to get distorted while on site by rips and tears.

That's it for now.

The next few things you may need to do would be a costing summary of trades, items, and appliances in your product and a timetable. These things are important in showing how and when you want to do something. The main thing is that you are happy with what you are getting. A basic knowledge of the product/s is it best but not always required. Just go and shop around. Enjoy and good luck with your project.

Written by Jason Robinson for the 'Kitchen Pages, computer software' Copyright 2000-2006, All rights reserved. See the 'DISCLAIMER' at www.KitchenPages.com for more information. Written for private use only!

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