6 tips that will help you make the most of your kitchen

With home prices surging in major markets across North America, many homeowners are choosing to renovate rather than relocate. If a $40,000 kitchen remodel isn’t within your budget, there are minor changes you can make to increase its functionality. “Most people think the problem with an outdated kitchen is the aesthetics,” says Jennie Chen, co-owner of ShelfGenie of Alberta. “But I think of an outdated kitchen more as a non-functional one, regardless of age.”

If cooking in your kitchen has become a complicated dance, it may be time to reevaluate the space. “Little things can go a long way in terms of functionality,” insists Karen Tran, who co-owns the company’s Calgary and Edmonton locations with Chen. Here’s how to make your kitchen work for you.

1. Consider your lifestyle.

Whether you cook every day or consider yourself a regular at the takeout restaurant down the street, it’s important to be honest about your situation. “We always ask our clients, ‘What’s causing you the most frustration?’ and prioritize that way,” says Chen. “For me personally, I’ve got two little ones, so I’m all about rounded corner countertops and scratch resistant vinyl plank flooring.”

2. Declutter.

No matter how big or small your remodeling project is, it’s important to clear out the clutter before you get to work. “I like to purge my kitchen twice a year — like a real, deep purge. You’d be surprised at the number of expired products you didn’t know you had,” quips Chen. “It may take a little bit of time, but it costs you nothing and will make you feel so much better about the space you’ve already got.”

3. Optimize storage and accessibility.

“You can add extra shelves to maximize vertical space, buy stackable storage containers or install pull-out shelves to utilize every square inch of a narrow cabinet,” suggests Tran. “It’s also a good idea to add dividers to keep the drawers organized and separate.” Even budget-friendly roll-out shelving systems can help to improve your kitchen’s ROI (return-on-investment). “Renovations like these not only take away a homeowner’s frustration by increasing the functionality of their space, it also increases the marketability of that house when it comes time to sell,” says Chen.

4. Organize your kitchen by zones.

“Think preparation, cooking, cleanup, serving and storage,” says Chen. “These zones will help you organize what you have logically and more efficiently.” Grouping like items together will save you time when you’re cooking a meal or unloading the dishwasher. “It helps to make the experience more enjoyable. We’re all so busy, we don’t want to be running all over the kitchen just to prepare a meal.”

5. Add more lighting.

A bright idea that is too often forgotten about. “We spend a lot of time in the kitchen so switching to more energy-efficient lighting, such as LEDs, will save you money over time,” says Tran. “Adding battery operated or plug-in LED lights will not only illuminate countertop workspaces, cabinets and pantries, but it also makes it easier to find what you need in the kitchen.”

6. Seek professional help.

“Hiring a designer is important because they understand the products that are out there and possess organizational planning skills,” says Tran. The designer will assess your needs and come up with a solution that falls within your budget. “The most common issues that clients come to us for are related to inaccessibility and a lack of storage in their cabinets and pantries,” says Chen. “Our job is to help people optimize the space they already have.”

( source : http://news.buzzbuzzhome.com/ )