Function meets beauty in the kitchen
MEGG CROOK special to gatehouse plus

Once the kitchen is designed, the real work begins. Picking out appliances, cabinets, countertops and flooring may be tedious, but it is fun to see the kitchen come together. Knowing what type of flooring is right for you, however, is something the contractor can help you decide.

"You live in your home 15-20 years, but you might only remodel the kitchen once," kitchen designer Sean Glynn said. "We walk them through the things they should be asking, simply because of the color."

Cabinets

Cabinets are one of the most useful aspects of a kitchen. In them, the tools that help you create something magnificent are stored. At the very least, your plates, pots and pans all need a resting place. Visually, cabinets are also an important aspect in the kitchen. There are a variety of options for cabinets, as well. Woods come many varieties, including cherry, maple, hickory and oak. Each has a different color and can be stained to the color that best suits a kitchen.

"Pullout shelves are not only very in-style, but also very practical," Glynn said. "(They're good) for the bottom cabinet, all that stuff that's way in the back that you can't get to, they make it really accessible.

Installing cabinets is usually a professional job and can be completed in two-to-three days.

Appliances

Perhaps the most significant aspects of a remodeled kitchen are the appliances.

Many homeowners want their kitchens to look like other rooms in the house. With a stove and refrigerator as kitchen essentials, that can be hard to achieve. According to Susan Fletcher, there are ways around this dilemma.

"Some people are looking for that pro-kitchen look," Fletcher said. "Sub-zero, built-in refrigerator that is flush with the cabinets. (It can) practically look hidden with wood panels that are the same as the cabinets."

Many people are looking for depth in their refrigerator, the more the better. Refrigerators with water and ice dispensers are also popular and beneficial making a filter on the sink unnecessary. However, if you have never had that type of refrigerator, you will need to call a plumber to get a water line running from the machine. Depending on the house, this could be a big or small project.

Energy Star appliances are also worth looking into before purchasing.

Convection ovens also are becoming popular, Fletcher said. Consumers can purchase one or a combination conventional and convection oven.

"Convection ovens have a fan that blows heat around inside the oven, giving it an even temperature," Fletcher said. "It cooks in less time on a lower temperature. For baking, you can put three racks of cookies in at the same time and they all come out even."

Whether your budget is modest or if sky's the limit, there's a range of kitchen options to bring out the Emeril in you.