10 Important Things to Consider Before Designing a New Kitchen

Here are 10 important guidelines for your kitchen design project.

There are also a number of ways to optimize the space in your cupboards for canned goods and other non-perishables. For example, one handy tool you can use is a step shelf. These small plastic shelves are inexpensive and can be placed in any cabinet or on any countertop to raise jars and cans. That way, you can see everything in your cabinet at once. You will end up not just saving space, but also money, since you can quickly create your shopping list and avoid buying items you already have in your pantry.Refrigerated leftovers should be eaten within a couple of days, which includes turkey gravy, fish, and eggs. Meat casseroles and pies, rice, potatoes, and cooked noodles will last 2 to 3 days, while cooked meat, chicken, turkey, turkey stuffing, and many soups may last up to 4 days before bacteria levels reach critical points.2. In kitchens smaller than 150 sq. ft., opt for at least 13� of base cabinets, 12� of wall cabinets, and 11� of countertop. In kitchens which are larger, go with at least 16� of base cabinets, 15 1/2� of wall cabinets, and 16 1/2� of countertop.As humans, we also carry harmful organisms on our skin which, when spread to food, produce a toxin that normal cooking cannot destroy. Therefore, it is essential to wash our hands thoroughly with soap and water prior to handling food, as well as cover open cuts.Using safe food-handling practices allows for healthy eating. The rest is a matter of taste.You can also find innovative tools to help you organize and store your other kitchen supplies. Pot racks work well for hanging pots and pans to get them out of the way, and because these racks can hang on either the wall or ceiling, they make use of space that would not otherwise be used.Meat should also be picked up at the end of your grocery shopping and should not be placed in the same bag as fruits and vegetable.3. For convenience, plan work aisles to be at least 42� wide for one cook, and at least 48� wide in multi-cook kitchens.There�s nothing better than a home cooked meal during the holidays. But, with all the special effort that goes into making one, everything will be for naught if the food has not been stored, prepared, or cooked properly.Before you even start organizing the food items in your kitchen, work on making sure that your supplies are stored to save space. Start with the items that you use the most such as plates and dishes. Instead of stacking them horizontally, try purchasing a few plate cradles. These space savers allow you to store the plates vertically, making better use of your cabinet space and giving you extra room. These containers can also help you prevent chips and cracks in your plates.

Designing a kitchen is as much a science as it is an art. Knowing the recommended measurements to use when planning the project can make all the difference in the final outcome.

Author: Harvey Juric