Everything deserves a makeover once in a while—including your kitchen. If your cooking area is looking a little bland, new countertops may be just the thing to heat things up. Whether you’re designing a bachelor pad or a family home, check out these steps to finding the perfect countertop for your sanctuary.

Choosing to Improve

Whether you’ve moved into a new home or just can’t look at your kitchen anymore, choosing to remodel is the next logical step. Home is your oasis and should make you feel happy and rejuvenated. If your generic or poorly installed countertops are sucking the life out of your kitchen, make the change for something better. To find ideas and inspiration, look for photos online or check out a showroom in your area. Remodeling a kitchen can be a successful project for those into DIY or without experience at all. Learn more about the process to turn your visions into reality.

Create Some Goals

Once you’ve decided to make a change, it’s time to consider what you really want out of your kitchen. To set goals for your remodel, carefully examine how the people in your home will be using the space. Is it a gourmet kitchen? Is it a space to entertain? Is it primarily to serve a family? The sooner you get real about what you need from your project, the sooner you can make conscious choices about what to include in your design.

Your goals and needs provide the blueprint to your kitchen. If it’s a family’s kitchen you’re after, then things like “wipe-ability” become a factor. Usually families benefit from investing in non-porous surfaces for easy clean up. Gourmet kitchens require additional thought and investment towards special appliances. For a space meant to entertain, consider how many people would want seating or cooking space in the area. The design for your remodel should be informed directly by your needs of the space. So write down your goals!

Size it Up

The size and spacing of a room directly affects its energy, function and aesthetic. For this reason, it is incredibly important to pay careful attention to the dimensions of your project. Measure everything and save a photo or drawing of the old layout. Measure the existing sink, cabinetry and room itself. This will be very important for the design, construction and installation phases of this project.

The right color and size of furniture material can totally transform a space—but not without the required measurements beforehand. Taking proper measurements prevents blunders like over calculating or under calculating the space you have for an item. It’ll also save you the time it takes to start over and money you spend on the wrong pieces.

Set a Budget

Creating a budget is more than just figuring out how much money is at your disposal. Do some research before doling out any cash. Read magazines and check out online resources to figure out which way to go with materials. It’s a good idea to come up with back up options for every possible purchase. If you’re flexible with final choices, you can maneuver unexpected costs when they arise.

Don’t let your budget inhibit you from creating an ideal “wish-list.” Instead, let your wish list inform your real shopping list. Once you budget, you can find the best possible options within your price range.

Choosing a Design Professional

Finally, finding a kitchen design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional to your lifestyle is made simple with the help of a design professional. From playing with design ideas to the completion of construction, a trained expert can assist your vison every step of the way.

Whether you’re looking to open up your kitchen or to optimize its function, it is critical that your home is considered by someone with experience in interior design. The professionals at Orland Park are trained to select the proper material for your remodel—adhering to style and the overall budget of the project. This includes the selection of cabinets, tile, countertops, plumbing and much more. During such an exciting and, perhaps, overwhelming venture, the help of a design professional can ensure the smooth construction of your kitchen and the safety of your wallet. Don’t hesitate to learn more about what a designer can do for you.