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If you want your kitchen renovation project to be a success, start by avoiding the most frequent mistakes. Take note and get to work! It is time for reforms. The pandemic has allowed us to spend more time at home and observe in detail the failures of our houses. The kitchen is one of the most used spaces, even many times it becomes the heart of our home and the meeting point. We focus on how to undertake a comprehensive change in your kitchen. We do not tell you how to do it, but the mistakes you have to avoid when you decide to do the work.
PAY LITTLE ATTENTION TO DESIGN
The first thing you have to do, when undertaking a reform, is to conceive the new distribution. The kitchen is, along with the bathroom, one of the most complicated spaces, because many factors have to be taken into account, not only the furniture and the orientation. It is very important that the distribution is ideal for our daily habits. A kitchen in a studio for a person living alone is not the same as a kitchen with a dining room for a family. In this sense, El Corte Inglés launched Decor Studio a few months ago, a comprehensive and tailored decoration service for each client, which has a team of 240 professionals.
PLAN THE REFORM WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL HELP
You are not an expert, so if you plan your kitchen project yourself, you may miss key details in the reform, such as forgetting the water and electricity pipes or the architectural barriers that the house has – false ceilings, the height of windows, partition size. A wrong calculation of distances, sizes, or equipment of this room can double the budget. So, it is convenient to have everything well tied with the reformer or the designer; although, sometimes, both functions are united in a single professional.
SAVE ON MATERIALS
Pay close attention to the products you are going to use. If you are planning reform at the moment or in the future, it is best if they are sustainable materials that promote the circular economy. Responsible consumption will allow you to save in the future and also take care of the environment. Wood and natural fiber are perfect to decorate your eco kitchen. In the market, you will also find recycled furniture – made with organic or plastic waste – and ecological paints.
KEEP VIRUSES AND BACTERIA AWAY
The coronavirus pandemic has focused on hygiene, especially kitchen surfaces, which have to be extremely clean. Many firms have opted for technology to offer materials that kill viruses and bacteria, such as Neolith finishes. It is also interesting to install waste managers to facilitate the recycling of garbage, such as shredders that facilitate its subsequent use in the form of biomass.
TO THE MESS
Zero waste of water is imposed, as the liquid element that will soon be one of our most precious treasures. Modernizing your kitchen faucet with flow limiters or filtering systems that purify water are little tricks to create a more efficient kitchen.
NOTHING FIT
Plan, plan, and plan. We never tire of repeating it, because you cannot afford to finish your kitchen work and realize that there is not enough room for the pantry, the dishes, or the pots. We have all the storage solutions and a lot of styles.
FORGET THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION
When choosing appliances, make sure they are efficient and reduce the energy bill. It is also important that they allow you to save time, in the washing machine and dishwasher cycles, and that they reduce the noise level. In addition, you have to monitor the technical needs of each product so that they adapt to the furniture and facilities. For example, the cooking zone may not have electrical points over the fire or the need for vents when you have a gas boiler in the kitchen. It is important to take into account the smoke vents and inserts, as well as the water intakes of washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
ALL THOUGHT
Before making any decision, you have to stop and think. That is, take time to consider the needs of both the family and the lifestyle that you are going to lead in the kitchen. Pre-reflection helps ensure that everyone can make the most of the space. Questions like how often do you cook? What appliances are a priority and require more investment? And how much storage is essential? help. When the kitchen is the main family room for socializing and entertaining in this case, you may want to pay more attention to elements that help bring together and invite conversation, such as bars or tables with chairs around them.
RESPECT THE MEASUREMENT
Perhaps the dream of your life is to have a kitchen with an island, but if this room does not have the necessary measures, it is better not to try. It is also important to bear in mind that every good design must have the work triangle, which integrates the scrubbing, cooking, and pantry areas. It is also necessary to consider the space for opening the doors that each appliance requires, as well as not forgetting to leave at least 50 centimeters free of the hob next to the glass-ceramic.
VERY HIGH STORAGE
In the kitchen, storage is crucial and order must be prioritized. Perhaps tall cabinets high the ceiling is useful when you want to store many things but, yes, you have to make sure you leave drawers and cabinets that are at a comfortable height in which to store the utensils of daily use. And the upper areas, those near the ceiling, can be used for objects that are used sporadically.
EASY TO CLEAN MATERIALS
Paint and wallpaper are very aesthetic and versatile solutions that will allow us to change the appearance of the kitchen with little investment. But they should be avoided in the areas most prone to splashes and food stains, such as the counter or the water and cooking areas. For these areas, it is better to opt for ceramic, stainless steel, or stone materials that remain unalterable against stains and are easy to clean.
THINK OF THE LIGHTS
When we do work, we tend to save lighting for last. However, this is a mistake, as the electrical outlets and light points must be planned before starting the renovation. If we leave it for the last moment, we may not be able to have the light sockets we need. A word of advice: it is very useful to put direct light bulbs over all the main work areas.
