How to Design a Kitchen
Create your dream kitchen!
Kitchens are easily the most efficient way to boost both real estate value, and they are the ultimate key to happiness when it comes to the satisfaction level in a home. Designing a kitchen can be overwhelming and very tiring, but when it's finished, it can also be one of the most rewarding processes. From renovations to fresh builds: The key is preparation. So without further ado, how to design a kitchen.
1. Make a List
Having a needs vs. wants list is a great place to begin. Everyone has their dream kitchen in mind, and sometimes it helps to go big and then whittle it to reality. A new oven may be at the top of the list, but a butler's pantry may not work with the budget. A new fridge may be more important to one homeowner than the extra bar.
A list (and a few compromises when multiple people are involved) is a great place to keep everyone on the same page.
Start by solidifying design plans, from detailed renderings to sourcing all the specific design elements. It's also a great opportunity to play with the budget to see what can be rearranged to accommodate numbers. Elements can be changed to make room for each other when playing with numbers, from tile changes to lighting. Before diving in is where the numbers are flexible.
Make sure that the entire plan is in place before that hammer is taken to the wall. Having all of this squared away is essential to a seamless process.
This is where the needs and wants mentioned above become pretty significant. Renovations and builds of any kind can feel a little bit like the children's book, "If You give a Mouse a Cookie."
Solidify methods of payment with a good funding plan. From loans to cash, it will help in keeping things realistic and on track, along with your stress level. It's a smart place to begin when figuring out what to spend. This may include doing a little homework, from internet guided searches all the way to consulting the local experts.
Though it all varies on situation and location, on average homeowners tend to spend $130 – $170 per sq. ft. for a full gut and replacement for a kitchen. So much goes into the final cost, all the little variables can cause prices to vary. Having the design in place first, will easily allow homeowners to add to or take away from the scope of the project. For starters, be ready for a few unexpected surprises to help manage stress levels as much as possible.
This may entail finding the right people to help. From designers to contractors and architects, it can be invaluable to have a little guidance in going the professional route. Their know-how makes it easier to source elements that may take months or cost more. They also have connections with people within the industry that can prove to be valuable. It can definitely help avoid costly mistakes.
Every homeowner is different, but “know thyself” is the best piece of advice here. Hire for those weaknesses and it may help save on costs and stress levels in the long run.
There's something really rewarding about the entire process, and it's important to remember it won't happen like this again. A lot of energy, learning, and patience goes into a great kitchen renovation. While it can be easy to focus on the end goal and so rewarding to get there, remember to appreciate the journey, too.
It's always worth it in the end.
Keeping these things in mind and preparing for the future is the key to a seamless kitchen design and an enjoyable process.
Jamin and Ashley Mills are the design duo behind The Handmade Home design studio in Nashville. They help clients locally and nationally achieve realistic, attainable homes while living by their mantra of "we don't believe in the dream home we believe in your home." They've been recognized nationally by numerous TV and media outlets as well as named as two of the most creative people in the country by Country Living Magazine. Check out their designs and creations at thehandmadehome.net as well as on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
