The Complete Checklist For
Designing Your Own Home: Kitchen
Professional advice you need to know before designing and building your kitchen
Introduction
There’s no place where a home comes alive more than in the kitchen. Whether first thing in the morning, coming home from a long day, or entertaining on special occasions, the kitchen is where your home comes to life.
A mix of functional space, stylish and useful appliances, as well as attractive design are all sought after in a kitchen space, but what those actually translate to will depend on the homeowner. And the type of home.
Whatever vision you have in mind for your kitchen, whether it’s part of a new house built from scratch or a renovation in an existing home, you’ll need to prepare accordingly. Only then can you follow a plan through a satisfying result that will afford you cooking enjoyment and the possibility for entertaining family and friends.
Chapter 1: First things first: Short and long-term goals
Many homeowners have a kitchen that doubles as a museum installation – “Cooking Environments of the Past.” When owners look over these dated surroundings, they’re faced with decisions regarding how complex the renovation will be. In any event, professionals can assess “the bones” of the structure and come up with a new kitchen design that fits its surroundings. And while it’s extremely important to get a qualified professional opinion, we want to put some power in the hands of the homeowner.
Here’s a simple checklist designed to help you look for the primary elements that go into making the decision to renovate your kitchen.
Section 1: Kitchen Space
Section 2: “The Bones”
Section 3: Cottage goals and vision
What do your results say?
MORE ‘YES’S THAN ‘NO’S: MAJOR RENO
right to you, bear in mind that it might cost a bit more than you initially planned.
MORE ‘NO’S THAN ‘YES’S: (RELATIVELY) MINOR RENO
Your results show suggest you’re in the market for a more basic renovation. This will cost comparatively less and be a more attainable project.
In either result, your next step is to get a professional opinion.
Talk to a design-builder with expertise in home kitchen renovations. They’ll provide a vision and plan for building the kitchen of your dreams.
Chapter 2: New Build Checklist
Building a new home or cottage from scratch means building a new kitchen from scratch. This affords you all the freedom afforded by designing without having to factor in existing structures. That said, you’ll need to consider how your new kitchen fits in with the rest of the house, its floor plan and structure.
Here’s a checklist designed to help you look for the primary elements that go into designing and building your new house’s kitchen.
Section 1: Kitchen Space
Section 2: Finishing Touches
What do your results say?
MORE ‘YES’S THAN ‘NO’S: ?
From your results, it appears your kitchen space will need to be larger than average. Accordingly, your kitchen budget will represent a bigger percentage of the total construction cost for your house.
MORE ‘NO’S THAN ‘YES’S: ?
Your results show you know to count on including typical kitchen costs in your budget and typical space allowance.
In either result, your next step is to get a professional opinion.
Talk to a design-builder with expertise in new home builds who can provide a vision and plan for building the kitchen of your dreams in the house of your dreams.
Chapter 3: Differences between a rebuilt kitchen and a new build
When you’re renovating a kitchen within the confines of a home, it’s going to be a different challenge than designing your kitchen as part of top-to-bottom house blueprints. But just because you’re designing a new home – without an existing structure to consider – doesn’t mean you also won’t have challenges. Indeed, renovating inside a home can present opportunities for your home and guide your creative ideas.
Depending on your situation – a renovation or a new build – you’ll have a checklist of considerations you need to address before drafting plans.
Chapter 4: Getting Started: Next Steps
The primary draw of cottage living is escaping to the great outdoors and enjoying everything nature has to offer.
Decide on your budget
How much are you willing to invest in the home/cottage and your lifestyle goals?
Check the website for the range of available kitchen styles
You’ve got to do your research. See something you like?
Collect images from the internet
Build your wish list by browsing webpages and magazines and assembling a collection of images. Have them ready at your first meeting with the professional.
Consider adding energy-saving features or appliances at the same time
They may help to pay for your renovation if the utility bill is lower.
Find a collaborative, budget-conscious professional
Ideally, the professional you’ll work with will give you practical advice on what to do if your budget doesn’t allow for all of your dreams. Recruit them to develop a project that suits you and your home, whether it’s a new build or an old one in need of a makeover.
Know and discuss your kitchen goals with your designer/builder
They can help determine if there is enough space to do it.
If it’s a reno, be prepared for contingencies
Until the walls are opened up, you never know what might be behind them.
Want new appliances? Go shopping early
Want new appliances? Go shopping early
