While there are countless ways to beautify a kitchen, good design, functionality and layout are just as important as cosmetic fixes. There are a number of considerations for great kitchen design.

What you want to accomplish will help determine your budget. Most experts agree that the kitchen should account for 10-20 percent of the fair market value of your home. But if your goal is to simply spruce up before putting your home on the market, you can spend less.

Lifestyle is another important factor in kitchen design. Do you need something family friendly or a larger space that works better for entertaining? Would you rather have an upscale showpiece with the latest technology and gadgets, or something with a simpler aesthetic because you eat out more than in?

Layout is another factor to consider. Consider the “work triangle.” The work triangle is defined by the National Kitchen and Bath Association as an imaginary straight line drawn from the center of the sink, to the center of the cook top, to the center of the refrigerator and finally back to the sink. The triangle minimizes traffic and interruptions to the cook. This is especially useful in a small kitchen.

Other factors to consider in kitchen design include: appliances, flooring and surface materials, and lighting options.

Finally, don’t overlook the ceiling. You can add interest, variety and style to any room with paint treatments, different textures and shapes.

Ceiling options:

• Modular wood ceiling systems, including lay-in wood ceiling coffer panels, provide a custom-crafted look at a low cost and are easy to install.
• Decorative thermoplastic panels are an elegant, yet cost-effective way to revitalize any interior, and with countless style and finish combinations available, including faux metal and faux wood, the possibilities for expressing your own unique style are endless.
• Change the look of any suspended ceiling with lay-in ceiling tiles, which range from simple to elaborate. Or, choose glue-up ceiling tiles, which make changing the look of your room easy without the hassle of a suspended ceiling system.

What do you think are considerations for great kitchen design? Let us know in the comments!