In no other room is the phrase "functionality" more appropriate than in kitchen designs. In other words, no matter how well the space was designed and decorated, if it doesn't function well, it's not going to be utilized. By contrast, if you have a kitchen that not only looks good, but allows you to complete your tasks quickly and easily, your kitchen will become your most esthetically pleasing room in your house, and food preparation will probably not feel like such a distasteful task. Kitchens tend to be the most utilized room in a house. This is the main gathering place for the home owners as well as guests.
When designing your kitchen cabinets space you need to keep in mind the visual design for your eyes as well as the ability to maintain a space that is easily functional. For instance, think about the "workspace triangle." In this design idea, the three most used spots in your kitchen, the refrigerator, the stove and the sink are all within just a couple of steps of each other and laid out to form a triangular workflow area. While you are in the process of having your kitchen renovated with new cabinets or new house construction, consider the impact kitchen and cabinet designs can have on the "workspace triangle". Another important step in designing a functional kitchen is to try to stay away from extra appliances that may clutter and detract from your "workspace triangle". Everything in your kitchen should have a place to live so to speak or at least a cabinet to hold it. Sometimes designing the cabinets in your kitchen island into your plan can add more space and counter access.
There are many additions that can be added into your cabinet design to further increase storage space solutions. Some of these are Lazy Susans Cabinets, drawer gliders that will allow you to pull out cabinet shelves, inside door racks, etc. Many times it is helpful to consult a professional to assist in your design plans. The main reason is that most of the custom cabinet designers have extensive design software at their disposal to help you put your ideas in black and white. These programs are very expensive for the average homeowner, not to mention the amount of time and effort to gain knowledge and skills in using the software. The extra cost is well worth the payoff in having a space that is not only visually pleasing but will give you years of functionality as well. Visiting a design showroom is a great way to visually see the many choices in custom cabinetry available on the market today.
One area where this "no time - got to compromise" principle shows up is in the support of countertops. After investing thousands of dollars in their countertops most owners are never told that they need support for countertop overhangs. Well, they are likely told but not until the countertop fabricator shows up to run the templates or possibly when the installer shows up to put in the counters. This seriously limits the homeowner's ability to select a desirable solution for supporting their countertops.
Countertop support brackets are more than just shelf brackets or standard decorative wood corbels. A countertop overhang is no small matter and true countertop brackets are designed to handle the load of the overhang. These types of brackets really constitute hardware in the kitchen and should be selected as such. You cannot pick up them up at the local hardware store or from large box stores because they are not carried. The countertop support brackets used to hold up stone counters are specifically designed for that purpose and are often made to order or when in stock require shipping to the customer's construction site.
Cathy Morgan knows about the significance of delaying selection of countertop supports. The general manager of an online source that is a designer and producer of custom countertop support brackets says, "We hear daily from people looking for countertop supports having just learned that they need them for their countertop installation scheduled for the next day. Unfortunately, that leaves the customer limited to those supports that are stock and bearing overnight shipping costs in order to fill the need." The additional costs associated with shipping overnight are one thing. But more unfortunate is the customer's inability to take advantage of the full line of designer countertop supports available or the possibility of using the customization service provided by the company.
Bottom line - time is needed to select the right countertop support bracket. Homeowners are asked, months before they are needed, what type of knobs and handles they want on their cabinets. Why wait until the week before installation to ask what type of countertop support is desired? The answer is a bit simple. No one is sure whose job it is to specify the need for supports. The contractor will generally rely on the countertop fabricator. The fabricator may defer to the installer. Ultimately, they can all point to the problem with limited knowledge of the requirement standards.You can eliminate this problem by educating the contractor and yourself. Their are comprehensive resource areas on the topic of countertop supports on the web. Customer service representatives are that are knowledgeable on solving the issue of timing as well. Cathy gives her pointers very concisely - "First, do not wait to hear that you need countertop supports. If you are planning a serving or seating area at your kitchen countertop you will likely need supports for the counters in that area. Be proactive and start your search early. 2. Do not compromise your desires because of timing. It is likely that whatever is put under your countertops will be there until they are removed. Make sure that it is a support that meets your needs visually and functionally."
Countertop support brackets are more than just shelf brackets or standard decorative wood corbels. A countertop overhang is no small matter and true countertop brackets are designed to handle the load of the overhang. These types of brackets really constitute hardware in the kitchen and should be selected as such. You cannot pick up them up at the local hardware store or from large box stores because they are not carried. The countertop support brackets used to hold up stone counters are specifically designed for that purpose and are often made to order or when in stock require shipping to the customer's construction site.
Cathy Morgan knows about the significance of delaying selection of countertop supports. The general manager of an online source that is a designer and producer of custom countertop support brackets says, "We hear daily from people looking for countertop supports having just learned that they need them for their countertop installation scheduled for the next day. Unfortunately, that leaves the customer limited to those supports that are stock and bearing overnight shipping costs in order to fill the need." The additional costs associated with shipping overnight are one thing. But more unfortunate is the customer's inability to take advantage of the full line of designer countertop supports available or the possibility of using the customization service provided by the company.
It all starts with helping people. Federal Brace designs and produces custom, designer countertop support products made specifically to solve the problem support. Federal Brace serves homeowners, interior designers, architects, builders (commercial and residential) as well as installers and fabricators. Federal Brace supports the creation of U.S. based jobs by producing all its products right here in the USA.
