You want a new kitchen, but you don’t know where to start. The process involves much more than choosing tile to match your countertops. Every kitchen design is unique, but they all follow the same basic steps. Read on to learn how to design a kitchen remodel from start to finish.
Start with the Functional Design of the Kitchen
The function of your kitchen is the most important element of the remodeling plan. If you have issues with your current kitchen, this is the time to address them. Perhaps you’re frustrated with the lack of storage or the flow of the kitchen doesn’t feel right. Decide which functions of the kitchen you want to improve to create the foundation for your design.
Note that you may not need to change any functional elements at all. It’s entirely possible that your current kitchen layout is the best use of space. Nevertheless, it’s important to analyze every aspect of the kitchen to make sure you are truly satisfied with it. Critical thinking in the early stages will yield a much better results in the final kitchen design.
Figure out the Parameters You’re Working with
There are several factors that will influence your kitchen design decisions. These include:
- How much money you have to work with (allot 10% as a contingency fund)
- What the square footage is in the kitchen
- Which kitchen features you cannot move or do not want to move (doorways, windows, plumbing, outlets, etc.)
- The style of the rest of your home
- Dimensions for appliances, if you’re moving or replacing them
- Materials that will not be replaced, such as the flooring or light fixtures
- The timeframe you have available
Every one of those elements plays a role in kitchen design. If you have a tight budget and limited time, you may only be able to do a direct replacement of your cabinets and countertops. That program has a 10-day turnaround and is less expensive than a complete kitchen renovation. If you have a larger budget, ample square footage, and a wider timeframe, you might be able to completely transform your kitchen. Pinpoint the parameters so you know what you’re working with.
Choose Finishes That Fit with the Rest of Your Home
This is the “fun part” of designing a kitchen remodel. It’s the step that every homeowner looks forward to because you get to pick the materials for your kitchen. Here are some tips to help you through the selection process:
- Choose colors and styles that flow with the rest of your home. If you have ornate crown molding in all of your rooms, don’t put sleek flat-faced cabinets in the kitchen. Think of your kitchen as part of your house, not a separate project on its own.
- Maintain the same metallics throughout. If you have brushed nickel hardware, your faucet and light fixtures should also be brushed nickel. Mixed metals have become a trend recently, like using gold hardware and black lighting. If you choose to mix metals, limit yourself to two finishes.
- Only have one busy element in the kitchen. This could be the countertop, the backsplash, or even cabinets with a strong grain pattern. Whatever you do, don’t put multiple busy patterns in the same space. This will create confusion and make the kitchen feel chaotic.
- Look at samples in your kitchen, not just in the store. The way the finishes look in your kitchen with your lighting is going to be much different than how they look in stores or in a showroom. Take samples home so you can truly visualize your new kitchen design.
- Get inspiration for your kitchen remodel. You can browse through our kitchen renovation gallery to see samples of our past work, or go online to find tons of inspiration at your fingertips. Figure out what you like and don’t like, and then find finishes that fit within your style.
Edit Your Selections to Create a Cohesive Kitchen Remodel Design
Editing is the final step in kitchen design, and it may occur in several stages of the process. Gather samples of all the materials you’ve chosen, and make sure everything looks good together. As the installation moves forward, you can continue to edit your design as needed. Perhaps the backsplash you chose now feels too busy for the countertops. Maybe the wall of paint looks different than the small sample you saw. Be critical of the design elements until you have a kitchen you love.
If you need help visualizing your kitchen design, O’Hanlon Kitchens offers 3D planning for kitchen remodeling. We will render a virtual model of your new kitchen so you can clearly see what it will look like. This will help you feel more confident about your design choices and ready to dive into the project.
To schedule a consultation for kitchen remodeling in Maryland or Pennsylvania, contact O’Hanlon Kitchens at 443-285-0558.
