Better Homes and Gardens Home Design Software Products can help you create your dream home.
Click on any number in the image below to see How We Did It. *
1. Countertops
Using the Custom Countertop tool from the Toolbar under Cabinet Tools, you can add more countertop space and create customized countertop shapes. Start with a countertop you have made, and using the Custom Countertop tool, click and drag a box where you want more countertop space, and a new countertop area will automatically be created! This easy to use tool can create powerful effects, easily create an overhang on your countertop as seen on the kitchen island using this technique. Finding the right material and placing symbols on your countertops from the Library Browser really help give them an appealing look.
2. Appliances
Choose appliances from the Library Browser that will give your kitchen the touch it needs. Find styles that go well together and match the look of the rest of your kitchen. In this case we chose the stainless steel look for the Refrigerator, Range and Sink. Placing the Range between two cabinets gave the area a lot of countertop space for cooking. To frame the Refrigerator we used a Full Height Cabinet. Opening its Specification dialogue, on the Front tab we chose the bottom door, and under Face Items changed the Item Type from Right Door to Opening. This allowed a space for the Refrigerator. Placing the sink was easy as well, just find one you like in the Library Browser, select and click on your cabinet countertop to place it.
3. Soffits
Soffits are very versatile. You can add more detail below molding, add space above cabinets, between appliances, and any other place you need. To get the arced look as seen here above the range we used two Wedges from the Library Browser under Geometric Shapes>Wedges, and put one on either side of a soffit, stretching them across the room to reach each opposing wall. Behind the range we placed a soffit to show off the wall’s Material, and add space between the two Wall Cabinets making the room less dark with more color.
4. Kitchen Islands
There are many things you can do to give your kitchen island an interesting look. In this example, we chose to make one by placing three cabinets next to each other, adding a sink and some base molding with soffits. To create the paneled look we simply added a siding material from the Library Browser, and then using the Adjust Material Definition tool to change the Scale, Rotate Angle to 90, and the color with Blend Color And Texture. This type of material can be found in the Library Browser under Materials>Siding>Vertical Paneling.
5. Custom Cabinets
When placing cabinets in your kitchen, don’t stop there! Changing the Hardware, Door Styles, Moldings, and Materials on your cabinets can give your kitchen a whole new look! Here we added large doors underneath small drawers near the Refrigerator, and nice large drawers near the Range for cooking supplies. For the hardware we went with a simple and sleek look with spaced out handles for the drawers; and small elegant spherical ones for the doors. All of the hardware we put in with a Metal Steel Material to match the appliances to bring it all together and not distract from the overall look of the Kitchen.
* The information in this article may not apply to all titles.
For more information see the Support Help Database at www.HomeDesignerSoftware.com/support/database.html