Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Top Ten Features in Kitchen Remodeling

Jean Patterson of Professonal Remodeler Magazine posted a great article on the web about the current top trends in Kitchen Remodeling. We thought this was a very accurate list of features to re-post on our blog because we are implementing many of these in our new home designs and renovation projects:

1.) Two-tiered cutlery divider: When the drawer is open, the top level can be slid back into the cabinet, allowing access to the lower level.

2.) Lift up doors: prevents bumping into open cabinet doors.

3.) Trash pull-out: Keep trash bins out of sight, but still easily accessible.

4.) Roll-out pantry drawers: Even if you have a separate pantry, it's handy to have some pantry storage for frequently needed items close to the food-prep point.

5.) Corner Lazy-Susan cabinet: This maximizes storage and makes stored items easily accessible. Even more useful are blind corner pull-outs. The first set of storage shelves pivots outward when the cabinet door is outward.

6.) Self-opening/closing doors and drawers: These doors open and close smoothly with just a touch. Motorized and non-motorized models are available.

7.) Pull-down shelving: A pull bar triggers a mechanism that moves high-shelving down to an accessible height. Useful for elderly or handicapped individuals.

8.) Filler pull-outs: Instead of covering filler space between appliances and cabinets with trim, have narrow pull-outs installed for storage of spices, trays, pots and pans, or cleaning supplies.

9.) Triple-drawer cabinet: The top drawer holds prep knives and cooking utensils. The deep lower drawers can be used for storing pots and pans or stacks of dishes.

10.) Pegged dish organizer: Handy for unloading the dishwasher and easily accessible to children, this low-level drawer has a pegboard base with dowels that can be positioned to hold dishes, bowls, cups, and saucers in place.

Dominick Tringali Architects is a residential, custom and community architectural firm specializing in the methodology lifestyle by design. To learn more, please visit www.dtarchitects.com or http://dtarchitects.blogspot.com.