Custom Kitchens

If you want to renovate your kitchen, then custom kitchens are the way to go. An oversight in the design of your kitchen can be costly and annoying. Don't make the mistake of the person who spent a fortune on a custom kitchen, with specially designed cabinetry, only to discover that there were 2 fatal flaws no one had thought of: Firstly there was no broom cupboard. Every inch of space had been accounted for, but not a single cabinet could hold a broom. Secondly, the kitchen countertop, which featured rustic natural stone, and was beautiful to look at, was a nightmare to work on because of its uneven surface. So when it comes to Custom Kitchens there are 5 tips you must know.

Plan your custom kitchen carefully so you don't fall into traps such as those mentioned. No detail is too small - a broom cupboard may not seem like a big deal until you find you have nowhere to keep your brooms. Most people focus so much on the actual design and look of the kitchen that they don't think the small details through. A kitchen is a room you use every day - minor oversights can become major aggravations over time. Think about how you will actually use your custom kitchen - not just how it will look. Be practical when it comes to kitchen countertops - look for materials that are steady and easy to clean.

Custom Kitchens are major financial investments. They involve a lot of time, and undoing something you don't like and can't live with is even more expensive than building the custom kitchen in the first place. So go for a design that is timeless, and will look good for years to come. A good tip you must know is to choose classic over trendy unless you are quite sure you can live with your choice for years to come. Stick to muted colours - if you want to experiment with something bright, keep the cabinetry neutral, and use stand-out colours on parts of the wall you can paint easily (and repaint if you hate it).

Everyone emphasizes layout when it comes to custom kitchens - and there is a reason for that. If you have to prepare food on one end of the kitchen, and then cook it on the other, that's not going to serve you well. Another tip you must know is to make sure your fridge, stove and preparation areas are all close to each other. This is also a good safety precaution. A heat proof kitchen countertop near the stove is essential - so you can easily transfer hot pots and pan without having to cover much distance.

If you are designing a custom kitchen, don't overlook the lighting. Fluorescent lights are harsh and use up a lot of electricity. The perfect custom kitchen will be enhanced by strategic lighting - usually special lights for task areas, and consider installing lighting under kitchen counters and cabinets. This will give your kitchen a stylish, spacious look. A good tip you must know for your custom kitchen is to use eco-friendly LED's - they last longer than fluorescent lights, and they use far less electricity.

If you are going to splurge on custom kitchens, then your top tip is to go for quality on the essentials. Get good quality appliances. Make sure your cabinetry especially is the best you can afford - rather spend less on kitchen countertops, which can be easily upgraded in the future. If you have your heart set on granite kitchen countertops, which are beautiful and practical, but your budget is tight, use a good quality laminate, and make replacing them a future goal.