This is a great article I found on the Kitchen/Bath Business site.
One more way of keeping my consumer reader on top of what the industry experts are thinking.
How to maximize style and efficiency in a condo's compact kitchen
By Ellen Sturm NizMarch 19, 2009
As aging Baby Boomers and new families look for affordable, easy-to-maintain homes and perks like private community swimming pools, condo living is becoming more and more popular nationwide. With all the benefits of condo living, however, there are also some restrictions—especially when it comes to remodeling. Space is often limited and plumbing is fixed. Plus, condo dwellers have to consider their neighbors, both in terms of common walls and the hours when construction noise is acceptable.
Award-winning designer Susan Serra, CKD, owner of Susan Serra Associates, Inc. in Northport, NY, is blogging (on TheKitchenDesigner.org) about her experiences renovating her Manhattan pied-à-terre. K+BB caught up with Serra to ask her about the unique experience of remodeling a condo kitchen, both from her professional and personal experience.
Q: What makes designing a kitchen for a condo different than designing one for a house?
A: Designing a condo kitchen must appeal to the mainstream with a transitional theme, as opposed to a personal style or a specific theme. The kitchen must at once appear to be attractive and functional.
Q: What are the biggest challenges of designing a kitchen for a condo?
A: Not wasting space, such as around the refrigerator, is important, as is designing in adequate counter space. Appliance location that makes sense is critical. Paying attention to movement and traffic flow is first and foremost.
Q: How do you solve those challenges?
A: A false wall behind an island or peninsula can direct a sink vent to a better location. Simple styling, such as recessed or flat doors, as opposed to raised panel, will help the space flow. Avoid the use of bold colors and instead use a monochromatic or other soft color scheme to make the space appear to be larger. Beware of an island being an obstacle with insufficient aisles surrounding it.
Q: How do you maintain value for resale?
A: I'm biased. My product, Hansen [Serra is the U.S. distributor for Hansen kitchen and bath furniture], is eco-friendly, made of solid wood and will last for decades. It gets better as it ages. As a result, value is maintained for the condo owner and building owner as units turn over.
Q: Do you have to be concerned with "over remodeling" your condo as compared to other units in the same building or community?
A: Generally speaking, those who appreciate—key word—quality will respond to quality with interest. However, the geographic location of the condo will also determine just how much costly materials translate into interested buyers.
