Planning for a kitchen renovation is easier than you know—especially after a move. While looking for your knew home, you probably saw lots of great kitchen ideas. The next step is applying those concepts to your new space. Look around for inspiration, do your homework and go through the process one step at a time, and you’ll achieve your goals.

• Get specific

  Begin by charting your family’s daily routine. Examine the features of your current kitchen and decide what works and what can be improved. Consult the Kitchen Update Checklist and Kitchen Layout for specific things to consider when planning. You might find it helpful to keep a journal for a week or 2 so you can begin recording inconveniences and things that aggravate various members of the family.

• Starting the layout process

  A kitchen remodel offers more flexibility in terms of moving the position of major features. Measure the room accurately and create a rough sketch of the space. The National Kitchen and Bath Association has developed guidelines to help you create the safest and most comfortable kitchens and one that meets national and local building codes.
  
  When creating your layout, be sure to keep the following elements in mind.

• Cabinet guidelines

  Having enough space to store food, dishes, utensils, pots, pans, appliances and other items is a challenge. As a general rule of thumb, kitchens under 150 square feet require at least 156 inches of base cabinet frontage, 144 inches of wall cabinet frontage and 132 inches of usable countertop length. Reusing outdated cabinets is a great way to save money. With a coat of paint and new doors and hinges, a tired cabinet can instantly look new. Visit The Home Depot for a number of great options.

• Counter space

  A kitchen should have anywhere from 132 to 198 inches of usable counter space, depending on the size of your kitchen. Counters should be at least 16 inches deep and finished with rounded or clipped corners to eliminate sharp edges. Look carefully at the material you choose for your countertop. There are a number of less expensive options that look and perform just as well as the expensive materials on the market. The Home Depot can help you select one that’s right for your new space.

• Brighten up your new space

  A winning kitchen has the right combination of artificial and natural light. With ambient lighting (soft general lighting that spans the room), you should plan to have at least 100 watts of incandescent light or 75 watts of fluorescent light for 50 square feet of floor space. You might also consider accent lighting to showcase a particular area and task lighting to provide a direct beam of light on areas above the sink. Adding windows, French doors or a skylight are great ways to bring natural light into your new kitchen. When purchasing bulbs, look for low-voltage and energy efficient models that will save you money in the long run.

• Finish the floors

  As kitchens are heavily trafficked and subject to spillages, floors should be hardwearing. New-generation linoleum, stone, tile, rendered concrete, treated hardwood, cork and bamboo are all suitable kitchen floors and all available in-store. Laying floors is one of the lengthier projects, so if you’re going to do it yourself, be sure to allot enough time.

• Placing appliances

  The kitchen revolves around the fridge, microwave, cooktop and dishwasher. When planning your kitchen layout, consider the following suggested measurements:

  • The bottom of the microwave oven should be at least 24 to 48 inches above the floor.

  • There should be at least 30 inches of clearance between a cooktop and the bottom of an unprotected surface, such as a cabinet.

  • A cooktop should not be placed under a window unless the window is 3 inches or more behind the appliance and 24 inches above it.

  • Allow for a minimum of 21 inches of clear floor space between the edge of the dishwasher and counters.

• Plumbing and electrical considerations

  If you’re planning to relocate your sink or add a second one, water pipes and drains will have to be moved and expenses will certainly increase. If you don’t feel comfortable doing the plumbing yourself, hire a professional.
  
  Most kitchens require at least seven separate electrical circuits, with the major appliances (except for the fridge) requiring their own. Don’t forget to consider telephone jacks, separate computer lines, Internet and television cables, extra wiring for lighting and a larger electrical panel for new circuits.
  
  Once you’ve created the layout, take your plans to a designer and then a building inspector for input.