5 Things to Consider When Thinking about a Kitchen Redesign
Pine Plain Road kitchen design
There’s nothing more exciting than embarking on a kitchen redesign. Having personally just gone through this experience I can fully relate to that feeling of being both overwhelmed and excited at every stage of the process. When most people start seriously considering a kitchen redesign, they’re typically in a place where their kitchen just isn’t functioning for them in any way, shape, or form. And because, as we all know, the kitchen is truly the heart of everything you do in your home, I think there’s just a tremendous amount of excitement about the possibilities and much-needed changes it can make to your house.
But with so many factors at play, it’s no wonder that so many people put off the idea of designing their dream kitchen. Seeking the right guidance and expertise can make all the difference when it comes to managing those stress levels!
Whether you’re looking to improve functionality, refresh design, or create a completely new space, there are so many things to consider before you get started. To help bring some clarity, here are my 5 things to think about when kicking off your dream kitchen renovation:
Budget: A kitchen redesign is not an inexpensive project if you want to do it right. I often tell clients who want to start a kitchen remodel to be in a position where they can spend as much money as they realistically can. The reality is that cutting costs on a kitchen is not going to serve them well in the long run. Investing in quality cabinetry, high-end appliances, and finishes will pay off in the long run. Because the last thing you want to do is go through the process again in the next 5-10 years! So with all that said, defining and setting a smart budget is the very first thing you need to do. To get a ballpark figure, think about how you want to use the space and your general design needs (items 2-5 can help!) Then do some research, either through Google or local establishments to get a sense of what the items cost. An experienced designer or contractor can help you confirm these numbers, but you’ll want to have a sense of what you can spend before you sit down with an expert.
Goals. Without knowing what you want to get out of the space, it is nearly impossible to create a sufficient design. Much like starting any design project, I like to ask how the space will be used perhaps differently than it is currently. Are you looking to have a bigger island for a larger eating area or a place for kids to do their homework? Are you trying to get more light into the space? Are you looking to entertain more with a chef’s kitchen? Or do you just need to hide away all those things that aren’t so pretty? Basically, what are your hopes and dreams for the space? From high-end appliances and expansive counter space to a multitude of storage options are all elements that will play into the overall design. I recommend jotting down a list of what you believe you will use the space and transforming that into a wish list of need-to-haves and nice-to-haves.
Style. When determining the overall design style and aesthetic for your kitchen you’ll want to consider factors such as color schemes, materials, and finishes. In addition, take some time to think about what overall style appeals to you the most - traditional, modern contemporary, classic, or more of a minimalist look. And you’ll want to make sure the style is right for the overall flow and design of your home. For instance, in our Newton Tavern project, it was important that we stayed true to the architecture of the home. With the kitchen being an addition to the house, it was a unique opportunity to create a functional, modern space in this historic tavern-turned-home. We included cutting-edge appliances, cabinetry that really helped to create much-needed storage space, and a huge vaulted ceiling that is so different than the rest of the house. We maximized the opportunity to add some modern flair to the kitchen since we were somewhat limited in the existing rooms. Sometimes design is driven by what is already in place. For example, at the Cleveland Road project, the clients really wanted walnut cabinets so that drove that design. Whereas at Pine Plain Road they were open to design so I pushed for that beloved green cabinetry.
Form and Function. Gone are the days when we had to choose between having a jaw-dropping kitchen versus one that was highly functional. Start with determining how you want to use your kitchen and what workflow would work best for your day-to-day activities. The placement of appliances and access to storage spaces will be key factors to consider when it comes to an easy-flowing highly functional space. A ceiling is one place where form can play a big role in the kitchen design. Our Cleveland Road clients had previously completed an addition with a vaulted ceiling. It was a larger home with a lot of space. So I worked with Mike and his team to add plaster beams to the ceiling in order to create a better flow and connection between the kitchen and dining space. At Pine Plain Road the family had a dropped ceiling in their smaller home, so we vaulted it to give that feeling of more space. I think about my own experience, where we went from having a kitchen that was very dark (lighting was all off and there was one north-facing window!) and the size of a closet. It lacked both form and function. And now, we have a kitchen that we live in. From homework to reading a book almost everything is happening in our new kitchen.
Lighting. A well-thought-out lighting plan can make all the difference. Lighting is really important in setting the tone of the space. I tend to go with brands like Visual Comfort because they have a broad range of styles and price points. Urban Electric has a variety of fixtures as well but with a much higher price point. At the Tavern project, many of the light fixtures are from a small company in Vermont called Authentic Designs. They make all of their fixtures by hand. We had a lot of historic fixtures created through them for this project. I highly recommend finding a good balance of natural light, including windows, sliding glass doors, and skylights, and artificial lighting, such as pendant lights for over islands, recessed lighting, and under cabinet lights. Placement is everything.
From budget to design goals, there are so many things to consider before you start the process of a kitchen redesign. I hope these tips will help you to think about what’s most important for you and your family when designing a kitchen to make those very important memories.