Decorating workbook: what kind of kitchen is for you?

Do you need more storage? Do you need more room for your canned goods, baking sheets, portable appliances, spices and recyclables? What about a phone/message centre? Is storage sufficient and conveniently located at or near the food-prep or clean-up area?

Do you need new cabinets? One of the most difficult decisions when remodelling a kitchen is choosing the cabinets. Although they set the style and tone, a major rehab may not be in the cards -- the cabinets may not blend as well as you would like with the rest of your home. Perhaps a mini-makeover is the way to get a new look. Painting the cabinets or redoing them is one of the least expensive and easiest ways to get a dramatic change.

What do you like best and least about your kitchen? If you're planning a redesign or remodel, make notes for a couple of months on what you like the best and least in your kitchen.

Is there enough counter space in the food-prep area next to the stove, refrigerator and sink?
If not, and if you have the room, you might want to consider adding an island. This not only increases work surfaces, but it also adds much needed storage.

Consider Your Lifestyle:
Do you cook a lot? Is there often more than one cook? The size of your prep area is very important, and so is distance between the refrigerator, sink and stove. Are these appliances fairly close together? Is cooking a large meal a hassle because of the way your kitchen is laid out?