There may be many reasons for remodeling your kitchen. Insufficient space, outdated decor, poor lighting fixtures, and impractical layout are common motivations. Cool, light, or dull colors; minimal contrasts, light tints not only expand space but also heightens the ceiling and lengthens the room.

FLOORING: Your flooring choice is important as it will set the tone for the whole kitchen. The textural quality of the floor appeals to the eye and has a radical effect on how we perceive the room as a whole. In kitchens, the two most elegant floors are ceramic or vitrified tiles / slabs. Ceramic tile is a premium product for a kitchen and as such represents an impressive upgrade over any other floor. The only disadvantage is the cold feel.

CEILING: Ceilings in kitchen should be as high as possible to avoid carbon accumulation. Lights should be concealed in the ceiling above the cutting platform and preparation counter to enhance efficiency and highlight the recipe. Exhaust fans and chimney are more than a necessity to remove smoke.

FURNITURE: Pre-fabricated kitchens have now become an accepted feature, especially in places like Pune. Units for the floor and wall, deep units to accommodate electrical appliances and gas trolleys, and a wide choice of accessories in the form of wire baskets, carousels, adjustable shelves and pullout units characterise the basic modules in a pre-fab kitchen. These well-organized kitchens can suit the requirement for any household kitchen. Pre-fab kitchen units can be made of powder coated trolley system, stainless steel trolley system (wire or pipe products), or can be a combination of both. Instead of wood, they are made of steel pipe structures, which are very light and easy to maintain.

Modular compartments in drawers have made life very easy for women in the kitchen. Systematic division of spaces for dishes, quarter plates, bowls, cutlery, spoons, vessels and containers of various sizes has helped in time and space management. Maintenance of these things is very easy.

Steel sinks are in today, and are available in different sizes. Sinks with drain boards and cutting boards are also available. Even small dustbins are made available in sinks to throw the waste. Aquaguard provisions can be made above the sink. Crushers can also be provided below the sink for crushing the waste to avoid problems in drainage.

DESIGN AND STORAGE: The standard layout sequence for any kitchen should be: Storage, sink, preparation, serving, eating, oven/gas. All equipment's which you use regularly in cooking must be placed within an arms distance of the gas.

TIPS:

1) If your going for a modular kitchen or getting it done by a carpenter, its better to get the drawing done by the readymade kitchen retailers.

2) Create good counter space in the kitchen. It makes working comfortable. It is also useful foresting hot dishes and jobs like dicing and chopping. Convert one of the counter tops into a breakfast bar. High stools could be placed on either side or same side.

3) If your kitchen layout permits, then you should have a sink, refrigerator and hob in a triangle.

4) In a galley kitchen, the hob and the sink should be on the same side.

5)If complete cabinets cost too much, opt for a few open racks. Use glass shelves, which are cheaper, classier and also less obtrusive.

6) If you have trouble bending then place the oven at your waist level. And have a counter/table next to the oven.

7) The fridge and the microwave should be close to each other to allow easy working.

8) Use the window ledge to place little pots of the flowers. Grow your herb garden in your kitchen.

9) If you cant have a window, have a half wall of glass/glass bricks at least. Natural light cheers up space wonderfully.

10) If you go for colourful walls, keep the base and wall units in muted colours.

11) You can use silver-finish handles on kitchen cabinets as their finish lasts longer.

12) Sleek metallic handles keep the look light and airy.