Kitchen Design Basics

"It's just what I asked for, but it's not what I want." Ever get that feeling? It's not so bad if you're talking about the salad you just ordered for lunch. But if a kitchen redesign is involved, you could be facing serious time and money to put things right - or years spent using a kitchen that doesn't really work the way you hoped it would.

Fortunately, there are a few basic tips you can follow to help ensure your kitchen turns out the way you want it, without spending more than you really need.

1. Think about how (and how often) you use your kitchen

In a typical household, the kitchen is unquestionably one of the most important spaces. So you need to ensure that your design meets all your needs. As an example, my family eats most of our meals in our kitchen, so we've always included space for a dining area. On the other hand, I've known a number of homeowners who overestimated the amount of cooking they actually do. They then went off and put together industrial-strength kitchens that would shame a 5-star restaurant, when a more modest design would do perfectly well. So as the first step in any kitchen remodeling project, carefully consider your kitchen habits and requirements, and what it will take to satisfy them.

2. Allocate your budget wisely

Kitchen remodeling usually involves four major material expenses: appliances, cabinets, countertops, and flooring. Typically, up to half your budget will be spent on cabinets. Appliances, countertops, and to a lesser extent flooring and miscellaneous expenses consume the remainder. Plan accordingly, and look for opportunities. For example, a bargain on kitchen cabinets could allow you to do more in other areas.

3. Don't forget kitchen lighting

My wife and I have undertaken three kitchen remodeling projects over the years. In every case, we made major modifications to introduce more light into the cooking area. I'm one of those people who can never have enough illumination where I work. If you're like me, be sure to factor in your kitchen lighting requirements (both artificial and natural) to avoid unanticipated hits on your budget.

4. Consider your unique requirements

Will your kitchen be used by individuals with special needs, such as children, seniors, or people with disabilities? Do you have special dietary habits that require custom storage or handling? Do you do a lot of specialty cooking (for instance, cheese making) that uses unusual processes or equipment? Be sure to think about theses and any other factors that might make your kitchen space unique, and may not be accommodated in a standard kitchen design. For instance, my wife owns a staggering number of cookbooks, which she likes to keep handy. So every kitchen we've owned has included a bookcase.

5. Be mindful of workflow

Kitchen design guidebooks hammer home the concept of workflow and the "efficiency triangle," the need to ensure that your refrigerator, stove, and sink all "flow" together. This is definitely sound advice. (No one wants to navigate an obstacle course when carrying a boiling pot of spaghetti from the stove to the sink.) On the other hand, don't go too crazy trying to design in a way that allows you to touch everything in your kitchen without moving your feet. Don't be afraid of a little quirkiness if it suits your style. For instance, my sister-in-law's stove is on one side of the kitchen, and her sink is on the other, with a kitchen counter between them. This certainly isn't a recommended design for everyone, but it works for her.

6. Leave construction to the professionals

Kitchens are complicated - and dangerous. They typically bring together gas, electricity, and water, things that don't always play well together. Faulty construction and installation can at best be costly, and at worst literally deadly. Be sure that anyone who works on your kitchen is a professional who knows what they're doing.

7. Do your research

There are plenty of resources out there that can help you decide which kitchen is right for you (including this web site!). One thing you can do is visit your local home stores and browse though some of the kitchen displays set up there. Spend time in each one; go though the motions of using them if you don't mind the occasional odd look from staffers and fellow customers. This can help you get a feel for how certain designs work.

8. Seek help!

Hiring a designer can help you translate your visions into an actual kitchen plan. But they don't always come cheap; designers often charge $100 or more per hour for their services. If your budget is tight, good professional advice is often available just for the asking. On two occasions, staff at local home centers have drawn up kitchen floor plans for us for free.

There are many other things to consider when taking on a kitchen remodeling project, of course. But if you keep the points mentioned in this article in mind, you'll stand a better chance that when all the work is finally done, your new kitchen will be useful, attractive, and comfortable - and a major enhancement to your home.

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