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Dreaming of a Kitchen Island – Talk to a Kitchen Renovation Contractor Now!

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Gone are the days when kitchens were merely used for cooking meals. Today’s kitchen is where new recipes get tested, the family gathers, and friends are entertained. Your kitchen renovation contractor must design a functional kitchen not just a pretty one. And a kitchen island is a must for functionality.

The Function of the Kitchen Island

Islands can be used for several functions. So start by deciding the job of your kitchen island. If the island is for cooking, you must include space for appliances like oven, cooktop, and necessary ventilation. If you want it for a prepping station, a large and clear surface with a prep sink and dishwasher will do. On the other hand, your island may extend the eating and seating areas in the house.

Kitchen Renovation Contractor Tips for Island Design

The main concern with design is space. Without enough room, the island is an obstruction that might prevent access to major work areas like sink, fridge, and cooktop. Always start by considering the existing space constraints of the kitchen before considering appliances and features. The island must be proportional to the kitchen size. Just because you have a large space, doesn’t you should have a large kitchen island. Right size the island in your design to avoid wasting space.

Consider the Aisle Space

To work well in the kitchen, you need easy access to counters and other work spaces. Avoid traffic jams. Demarcate the space for the island and then measure the distance to the kitchen counters. Ideally, you should have an aisle of around 40 inches. In a small space you can go as low as 35 inches but that’s the minimum. Don’t put too much space between the counters and the island either. That requires too many steps to be efficient.

Incorporate Storage Space

Contemporary kitchen islands should have proper storage units and smart cabinets, so the kitchen stays neat and organized, while ensuring you have everything required within reach. The choice of shelving units and cabinets has to be determined as per the specific needs of the kitchen. If you have limited space, there are fold-away inserts and drawers with extra depth that make up for the lack of room.

Determine Your Island Surface

Popular island top materials like marble look elegant. While the island surface should match the other surfaces, it doesn’t have to be the same.

For example, if you are using the island for food prep, consider a butcher block top. For any easy to clean and long-lasting surface, go for stainless steel. If the island is a cooking station, opt for easy to care for surfaces like quartz and select appliances that match the rest of the kitchen. This kitchen island surface is beautiful and beautifully contrasts with the other countertops.

Inspired Remodels is the Kitchen Renovator Contractor that Turns Island Dreams into Reality

When you’re ready to stop dreaming of a new island and start using one, call Inspired Remodels. Let Orange County’s finest kitchen renovation contractor design a kitchen island that is functional, beautiful and a welcome member of your home for years to come. Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online today.

Its the Little Things That Count for This Kitchen Contractor

By Inspired Remodels / Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off

Does your kitchen contractor have an eye for the little things? Those simple touches that make the difference between a vanilla remodel and an inspired remodel? If Jason and Joe Mueller from Inspired Remodels are on the job you don’t have to worry. Their kitchen remodels incorporate the little touches that make every job custom.

Get the Lighting Right

Dimmable lights

This Trabuco Canyon remodel combines natural and artificial light to create a space that provides practical lighting for work and mood lighting for play. Natural light streams in through the window above the sink when wanted. Fabric blinds block the light when it’s not.

Under cabinet lighting is perfect for tasks such as mixing, cutting, and other activities where you really need to see what you are doing. Ever struggled to read a measuring cup? If so, then you know adding just the right amount and type of light is important. Your kitchen contractor should know this too.

When it comes to mood lighting, it might be tempting to use lights in the top of decorative cabinets. Resist the temptation. If shelves are solid, only the top shelf will get the light right. However, this remodel worked with a local carpenter to ensure the cabinets showcased their wares with backlights. Each shelf is illuminated. It’s just one of those little details an inspired kitchen contractor incorporates. Dimmable switches are another nice touch. If your kitchen is part of an open concept design, controlling the light from the kitchen area is important. Dimming switches make that possible.

Form Meets Function and Creates Fashion

Kitchens are work rooms. No matter if you are a daily gourmet chef or a week-end waffle wielding Brunch artist, your kitchen provides room to cook and eat. That means its a room that must be above all, usable. The right kitchen contractor incorporates those little things that not only make a room easier to use, they make it easier to look at. For example, this same Trabuco Canyon remodel needed to incorporate in-kitchen eating space. So, the island does double duty. No big deal, but what is a big deal are the additional footrests. These bring beauty to the space with their simple design and add function because it keeps shoes off the cabinets. Adults and children alike are guilty of scuffing island cabinets when eating. Instead of the owner spending time cleaning and repairing shoe damage to the surface, the kitchen contractor spent just a little time and material to incorporate a footrest. See, it’s just those little things that make a difference.

The Kitchen Contractor for Orange County Remodels

Inspired Remodels is the kitchen contractor for inspired Orange County remodels. No touch is too small, no request is too large. Talk to Inspired Remodels about how you use your kitchen space and let them plan a remodel that’s truly inspired. Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online today.