1. How much can we afford to invest in our kitchen remodeling project?
   
   The first step is determining how much to spend on remodeling your kitchen. A time-honored rule is that you should not spend more than 15% of your total home's value for maximum return on your investment when you sell your home. You can expect to receive up to 80% of your kitchen remodeling investment on resale, plus you get to enjoy the new kitchen you have created!
    
2. Will the new kitchen remain in the same location and space as the current kitchen?
   
   The next step is thinking about your current kitchen's size, shape and location. Depending on the size of your budget, the location and size of the space allotted for the kitchen may have to remain as is. However, even if the location and size can't change, you might be able to improve the layout by reconfiguring cabinets, repositioning appliances, and/or moving a door or window.
   If there is an option to expand the space, more possibilities present themselves. Removing an interior wall may allow you to capture space from a little used breakfast nook for the kitchen and allow for an island with eat-at counter arrangement.
   
   Don't rule out any options until you have talked with a kitchen designer here at Lakeside Kitchen Design. We can help you realize the ideas that you have been dreaming about and determine what your options are within your budget.
    
3. How does your family use your kitchen?
   
   Even as you are thinking about the shape and size of your kitchen, think about how you and your family use it and will use it in the future. Is there one primary cook? Or do several people plan and cook meals together? Will younger children be joining you in more and more cooking and baking tasks as they get older? Do others want to be in the kitchen with you when you are working? Do you entertain often in a casual, make-your-own-tacos style? Or do you tend to the more formal dining style?
   
   All these considerations can shape your choices about work stations, traffic patterns, and seating. The way you and your family use your kitchen also will determine what types of appliances you choose and the size of those appliances, plus your storage needs.
   
   For efficiency, a kitchen is usually designed around what is called the work triangle encompassing the three major appliances: range, refrigerator and sink. Today the design may be a little more flexible. There may be several smaller work areas each working off the central work triangle. For instance a baking center may be located between the refrigerator and the wall ovens, an island contains a prep area with its own sink, and a microwave and the main sink are located near the cook top, all while still working on an elongated work triangle principle.
   
   Again, designing a unique and efficient kitchen to meet your specific needs is the work of your kitchen designer at Lakeside Kitchen Design.
    
4. What are your specific needs?
   
   Now that you have thought about the larger picture of budgets, size and shape of your kitchen, you should turn to that wish list you've been keeping of cabinetry, appliances, counter top materials, flooring and lighting; of the things you like or don't like about your current kitchen. Prioritize that list for each category, that is for the cabinets prioritize the storage essentials you need and want, for the appliances determine what size refrigerator and range you must have and what upgrades you would like to have on them, etc..
   
   Keep in mind that the cabinetry costs will be the major portion of your remodeling budget, unless you are engaging in major renovations. Cabinets generally cost up to 40% of the total remodeling costs.
    
5. What is the look you are trying to achieve?
   
   You should visit our cabinet showroom to look at our door styles and wood species samples, our stain finishes and glazing options. Your choices in this realm will ensure you achieve the look that reflects your unique style.
   
   Lakeside Kitchen Design staff can assist you by pointing out the door styles, colors and stains most often associated with a French Country look, the Arts and Crafts look, a contemporary look, or the currently popular Pacific Rim/Asian style. We can help you mix one or more furniture-look pieces in to your design for a customized look. We can design a custom cabinet with the same door style and stain as the rest of the kitchen to accommodate your one out-of-the-ordinary need, such as a cabinet for a stackable washer/dryer combo. We want your kitchen to be a reflection of you and all the work you have put into making this kitchen uniquely yours.
    
6. Do you offer installation services?
   Kitchen remodeling is our specialty and Lakeside Kitchen Design has qualified staff to install your kitchen. 

Today's kitchen has become quite complex and detailed.  No longer are you limited to the traditional "L" shaped layout with a free-standing stove, a drop-in stainless steel sink, and a refrigerator on the end. 

With the seemingly endless options for multi-layered moldings, angeled cabinet fronts, various heights for wall cabinets, furniture cabinets, and built-in appliances, you may want to set your mind at ease and have the installation done by the professionals.  The best kitchen design can be spoiled by poor quality workmanship.     

We also offer bathroom remodeling.  The plumbing and electrical work is all done in-house eliminating the need for numerous sub-contractors.  This also allows us to be in control of the entire project.  After the mechanicals are roughed-in, we also do the drywall work and painting.    

A kitchen or bathroom remodel job requires careful planning.  We understand very keenly, the inconvenience of having the kitchen out of service, but having qualified staff to do the complete job will minimize the "down time" for your kitchen or bathroom.