The kitchen is the center of the house. Maybe not geographically speaking, but when it comes to the place where the most action is, it is definitely the kitchen for most families. And kitchens these days are a lot more than they used to be. At one time they were a small work station where Mom would prepare a meal all by her lonesome. These days, the kitchen can be a huge, spacious entertainment and snacking metropolis, just bustling with life! Here’s how.

First decide on the size. How much wasted space is there in your house? Can you repurpose some of that unused space to make room for your new kitchen? If you are uncertain whether walls can be moved a contractor can help you determine that.

What kind of look and feel do you want for your new kitchen? Do you plan on spending a lot of time in there? Will your kitchen become your new living room? There are plenty of aesthetics to choose from. You can go with anything from a warm, cozy, country feel with natural looking wood cabinets to a cool, sleek modern look with stainless steel, granite and flat-screen televisions. A contractor’s portfolio should give you a good idea of what is available and how well they can pull it off.

Islands are an important consideration for kitchen remodeling. Islands can be used as an extra prep area with a sink and plenty of counter space, or they can be used as extra dining space with an extended counter top and seating. Plan to do a lot of cooking? Well that island can have cooktops, ranges or even your own hibachi grill! The choices are literally limitless, and they are all yours.

Windows play a huge role in creating the new dynamic in your newly remodeled kitchen. Did you always feel trapped in your kitchen before? Well since you are opening the room up to more of the house, now is the time to open that area up to the outside as well. You can feel at one with nature with giant windows overlooking your glistening garden as you wash your freshly picked produce to create that crisp summer salad. In winter, you can watch the snow fall outside as you are all cozy inside with your hot chocolate and fresh bread baking in the oven.

Once you have decided on all of this you can then pick out the accents and small details. Will your kitchen sink have form over function? Will the look of everything seem like a work of art? Will your sink be huge so that you can give your organic produce a quick rinse all at once? Do you like straight lines or elegant curves?

If you are ready, take a look at some ideas online and then contact a contractor that has the credentials and portfolio to get the job done. Testimonials and a great looking portfolio should tell you everything you need to know about the contractor you decide to work with. This is an investment in your home and in your lifestyle, make sure you are confident in who you invite into your home!