Top 5 Ideas for Designing Your Kitchen

Kitchen Must Haves

Designing a beautiful kitchen begins with brainstorming a list of the things you want in your kitchen. Take into account the functionality of the space as well as its appearance. What features should it include to meet your needs? Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Remove a wall to create an open concept space
• Build an island for extra work space or seating
• Create a coffee bar if you are serious about your brew
• Add open shelving for easy access and aesthetic appeal
• Include a breakfast nook if you lack a dining room
• Invest in high-end appliances if you are an aspiring chef
• Buy the copper sink you’ve had your heart set on

Renovation Budget

Determine the financial investment you’ll make in your new kitchen. Write a list of projects and get multiple quotes from local contractors, as well as the cost of all the required permits from your municipality. Create an estimate for the whole build, setting aside a healthy contingency fund for surprise expenses. If you plan to DIY, compile a price list for the materials you will need. With solid numbers in hand, reevaluate your dream kitchen wishlist and use your budget to narrow it down to the highest priorities.

Kitchen Layout

The layout of your kitchen includes its shape and how the elements within it are arranged. When designing your kitchen, analyze the existing space and surrounding areas to determine which of the most common kitchen shapes will create the best flow.

Regardless of which shape you choose, the most efficient kitchens often adhere to the “working triangle,” also known as the “kitchen triangle” or “golden triangle.” The main working elements of the kitchen — the refrigerator, sink, and stovetop — should be placed in a triangular formation to increase flow and efficiency while you work. Keep this rule in mind as you design, ensuring your triangle is appropriately sized and uninterrupted by other features of the space.

Kitchen Cabinetry

As the “skeleton” that creates your kitchen, the cabinetry you choose can have a significant impact on your budget, how the space functions, and its aesthetic.

Storage: Consider your storage needs when choosing cabinets. Do you prefer lots of drawers or cabinets with shelves? Should you take advantage of high ceilings and install additional upper cabinets?

Aesthetic: The style, finish, and color of your cabinets will help create the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. Go with sleek, flat doors and drawer fronts for a more contemporary look. A cabinet with more detail and molding is best for a traditional kitchen. Shaker style cabinets are a semi-neutral option that adapts to many styles.

Budget: Cabinets can be one of the bigger expenditures for your kitchen renovation, depending on their quality, style, and level of customization. Budget-friendly cabinets are often factory-made and preassembled. Though not custom, these cabinets can be durable, attractive, and arranged in a way that perfectly suits your space. For fully custom, solid wood cabinets, be prepared to pay a premium.

When choosing your cabinetry, one of the best things you can do is visit a kitchen cabinet store where you can see a variety of options in person and have your questions answered by experienced professionals.

Pulling Your Kitchen Together

At times during the kitchen design process, the number of choices you have to make may leave you feeling confused and indecisive. Early on in the journey, record your goals for your kitchen. Spend plenty of time looking at inspiration photos. Notice the ways that others have integrated your favorite features or dealt with constraints. Having a clear picture of the function and style you’re targeting will help guide your choices as you strive to create a cohesive, beautifully designed kitchen. Consider how you will use the following elements to pull the features of your kitchen together.

• Color scheme
• Countertops
• Tile
• Fixtures and hardware
• Lighting
• Flooring

Conclusion

Designing your own kitchen is a long and sometimes complicated process. Whether you’re in your forever home or on a stepping stone to something better, a new kitchen can improve your life and increase the value of your house. As you work toward realizing your dream kitchen, use resources like this guide to help you create a space that is beautiful and functional — the heart of the home it was meant to be.