There comes a point in your life when you start think my kitchen needs something more. Maybe the hardware is looking warn or you backsplash is looking a little dated.  Or your cabinets are stuffed to the rafters and every time you open one you have to go digging for what you need.  We all know the kitchen is the heart of most homes and some of us have just lost that loving feeling and dread walking in there.

With all the hype of using energy efficient appliances you have probably started to hear a lot about induction cooktops. Some people are familiar with them and some have no idea what they are or how they really work.

In today’s world we are always looking for energy efficient ways to cook and save our natural resources.  We are also looking for ways to save on those electric and gas bills.  Many energy efficient appliances can almost pay for themselves in those first few years by what you are saving on your bills.  There are also tax credits and rebates offered to help offset the cost of them. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency people spend 90% of their time indoors.  People would be surprised at what may be causing the pollution and affecting the air quality inside their home. Brian Wellnitz said, “The home cooking process is the #1 source of airborne pollutants in the house.” 

Most of us are familiar with range hoods.  Range hoods are one important ventilation system for the kitchen that helps remove grease, moisture, and other pollutants that can affect the quality of the air in our home. When you cook on your stove and notice the steam and heat that rises from the range, this steam contains some of these pollutants. That moisture and heat can also damage your cabinets. 

When beginning a kitchen remodel it is easy to get caught up in all the latest and greatest trends. We tend to want to have it all. Many homeowners make the mistake of cramming too much in to their new kitchen and end up frustrated because it doesn’t function like they thought it would. They get so caught up in the aesthetics that they overlook the layout and storage options. They end up tripping over each other because the flow and workspace interferes with the different activities in the kitchen.

Before ever starting your kitchen remodel there are five questions you need to ask yourself. This will help you and your kitchen designer create a kitchen that will function like you need it to.