Article by Sue Krippner

It’s time to update your loved but tired kitchen. Traditionally, the next step is to hire a professional and spend a huge amount of money for their services.

True, they will help you each step of the way to decide on cabinet color, grade and design. They will offer several design options in respect to reconfigurations of the kitchen’s traffic patterns, appliances and island placements.

Most professionals will do a fantastic job designing your new kitchen but, expect to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars during this planning phase before starting on your kitchen remodel project.

You do have another opiton – kitchen design software! Believe it or not most remodelers rely on some level of kitchen design software to assist them with client’s projects.

Did you know you can take advantage of this very same type software giving you the power to create your own custom kitchen design?

You don’t need a Design degree or an extensive knowledge of what is available in kitchen remodeling options. Every choice has already been preloaded into the program.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1) Start by creating a sketch of the room, by drawing the basic floor plan, with accurate measurements. Make of a note of the placement of windows and doors, where they are now and where you want them to be.

Step 2) Enter those measurements into the kitchen design software program as instructed, this provides the basic room space to view on screen.

Step 3) Now it’s time to begin introducing different design ideas. You will have more design and style options than you will ever need, all with 3 Dimentional features.

With easy point and click manipulations you can add cabinets, counter tops, wall paint colors, flooring and anything else you desire as you create your custom 3 D kitchen.

You will be able to change the stains on the cabinets. See how the appliances work in the room with your color scheme. Find the best position for your new kitchen island. Oh, and let’s not forget the backsplash, top trims, crown moulding, and lighting options.

Yes, it’s that simple!

By starting your project with kitchen design software you can make “mistakes” without any financial consequence. You have the luxury of pasting and erasing any crazy combination or out of the box design ideas. You can add a pantry or serving bar and designer sinks in any style you want.

You never know, what you may think is radical today may be your perfectly redesigned kitchen tomorrow!

The point is, you can have a lot of fun with this software. And, just as importantly, it is a money saving tool that will give you the confidence in knowing where you are going with your kitchen redesign project.

Once you’ve got the design worked out, click the blue print or 3D layout option and send it directly to your printer for easy reference.

Discuss your plan with a contractor or save even more money by doing it yourself.