iMag Slide Show

With kitchen renovations so expensive, it's important to be sure of what you want, and take into account all the different features you'll need in order to create a beautiful, and more important, functional kitchen. So we went to the experts at the In House Kitchen & Bath Showroom in Manhattan for some advice and inspiration on all the different products available today. 

If cooking is your thing, perhaps the most important feature in your kitchen are the appliances, specifically, the oven. At the top of the market sit two brands, Viking (left) and Wolf (right). While these babies don't come cheap (usually upwards of $5,000), they are certainly something to aspire toward. With restaurant grade broilers, gas tops, duel fuel electric ovens and 15-16,000 BTUs (apartment grade ovens have 8-12 BTU capacity), these ovens will guarantee the precision a top chef commands. 

If a Viking or Wolf isn't in your budget just yet, not to worry. There are so many great options available for around $1000. Check out the selection at Home Depot or Loew's. 

When choosing a sink, one factor that is often overlooked is its depth. "Standard sinks are generally between 8 and 9 inches deep," says Michael Markoe, the director of sales at In House. The sink pictured is 10 inches deep, which makes more room for pots and pans if you entertain a lot. Another great feature to consider is the removable grate at the bottom. "Most sinks have rounded edges, making it difficult to fit a lot in there because there's a lack of flat surface," Markoe says. "The grate eliminates that." 

For those who enjoy city living, using your kitchen might not be so enjoyable. But there are ways to save some space, like this slide-able and removable cutting board on the right. Theres a stainless steel top inset into the counter underneath the board, making for an easy cleanup. 

The cabinet on the left features built-in outlets and a door that pulls down to hide the dishware and appliances when you don't need them. That way, if not everything matches, you can pull down the door and store everything away.

With a press of a button, this row of outlets pops out of the counter, and can easily be pushed back in. Like a power adapter, it provides multiple power sources without filling up your entire wall. And the knife block that sits within the counter makes for safer knife storage. 

As you're planning out cabinets and drawers, consider what you can do with those extra slivers of leftover space. They can easily be made into shelving or drawers to help you stay organized. They can be great places to store dish towels, oven mitts, spices and other baking essentials. 

An ever-present problem many people face with kitchens is how to store pots and pans without causing a huge clatter every time you need one. This cabinet, which is actually kitty-cornered into the wall perpendicular, has shelves that pull out making everything on the shelf easily accessible. 

"You could invest in top cabinetry, appliances and countertops, and it will all look flat if you don't have the right lighting," says Dave Burcher, design director at In House. "It's the most overlooked and least appreciated design element that has the biggest impact on the space." So what does Burcher mean by "right lighting"? "A lot of electricians put lighting on the backsplash, which directs light out rather than on the countertops, where you are cooking." Another rule they live by at In House: Canned recess lighting on the ceiling should be moved a few inches away from the face of the cabinets, rather than right up against them. "It eliminates the scallop of light you see on cabinet faces when you turn the lights on, and helps to fully light the area," Burcher says.

Check out the In House Kitchen & Bath Show Room for the latest looks and products for your kitchen, bath and home. 

For more on kitchen updates:
-Cut Costs on Your Kitchen Renovation
-Add Some Color to Your Kitchen

Happy renovating!