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Basement Kitchens: Getting Started

 A well-thought-out, detailed plan is a must for any kitchen project. Whether you design the kitchen yourself, work with a cabinet distributor or home center, or go to a kitchen designer, formulating a plan is the first step.

 There are three basic kitchen functions to consider and arrange to create an ideal kitchen: storage, preparation and clean-up. And the following points will help you sort through those issues.

Typical Kitchen Layouts

 For the last few decades, most kitchen designs have been based on three standard layouts: the U-shaped kitchen, the L-shaped kitchen and the galley kitchen.

 Those all make use of the classic work triangle concept that basically positions the three major kitchen components (refrigerator, stove and sink) in a triangular pattern.
 That was determined to be the most efficient layout in the 1950's, after a research study on kitchen usage showed that most women:

• Stayed home during the day

• Worked alone in the kitchen

• Cooked most foods from scratch

• Needed storage space for about 400 items

 More recently, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) co-sponsored recent research that recognized the changing use patterns in the kitchen. It found that most women now:

• Work outside the home

• Share the cooking

• Prepare very few foods from scratch

• Require storage space for 800 items

 After this study, the NKBA wrote 31 guidelines to provide industry pros with minimum standards for kitchen efficiency, convenience, traffic spaces, distances between items, and countertop and cabinet space.

 NOTE: The NKBA has a website: www.nkba.org.

 Designers now think in terms of multiple work centers or work stations within the kitchen in order to allow more than one person to work efficiently without getting in anyone else's way.
 Work centers are a little less formal concept than a classic work triangle since you can basically create a station anytime decent counter space is provided next to a major appliance or sink.

 Adding an island is one of the most common ways to program multiple work centers into a kitchen. It might block the clear paths of the classic work triangle, but an island creates 2-4 small work stations along its perimeter.

These stations can become major work centers if a second sink is added or the cook-top is pulled away from the wall and set into the island. Even without an island, you can create distinct work centers simply by separating the microwave oven and the cook-top/range.

 For example, placing them on opposite sides of the sink -- setting the microwave near the refrigerator/freezer -- provides counter space for food preparation at each appliance.

 Choosing the right finish materials is another critical part of the kitchen remodeling process. Here are some things to consider in five primary categories.

Cabinets

There are two basic cabinet styles: European-style(frameless) and face-framed cabinets. Either can be ordered from custom or semi-custom cabinet-makers or from stock supplies. Each style has a variety of door, wood and finish options. Cabinets vary in degree of construction quality so look for small details like roll-out and tilt-out drawer features.

Countertops

Countertop choices range from very durable, yet very expensive materials like solid surface or granite to the less expensive, but attractive choices of ceramic tile and laminates. Solid surface, marble and granite tops are not typical do-it-yourself materials -- unlike tile and laminate tops that are definitely within reach of do- it-yourselfers.

Flooring

Recently, sheet vinyl has been the predominant flooring choice for moderately-priced kitchens. It has a variety of textures, designs, price ranges and has virtually replaced linoleum that was popular in our grandparents' era. Ceramic tile has always been popular in pricier kitchens, and wood floors are gaining popularity in both moderate and high end kitchens.

Kitchen Sinks

Kitchen sinks are made of materials such as solid surface, cast iron, stainless steel and plastic. Mounting styles are either top-mount or under-mount with a combination of sizes and features: single-bowl, double-bowl, deep or shallow. Faucets offer different finishes: polished brass or nickel, brushed nickel, chrome, stainless steel. Other options and price ranges include pull-out sprayers, single-levers, double-handled.

Appliances

The main appliance choice involves built-in or free-standing styles. This decision definitely factors into the overall design. In addition, you'll choose between side-by-side refrigerators or units with top or bottom mounted freezers. Besides the traditional gas or electric issue, range options include: halogen or smooth-top cook-tops, double and/or convection ovens, trash compactors, microwaves, range hoods and down-draft vents.