YOUR KITCHEN IS READY FOR A MAKEOVER, BUT YOU DON’T KNOW -WHERE TO BEGIN!

PREPARE YOU BUDGET

Budget is one of the first steps that we need to consider in Kitchen remodeling projects. Check out our blog, HOW TO BUDGET FOR YOUR KITCHEN REMODEL. We go into depth of the things that you have to think through and how to come up with proper budgets based on your overall project goals.

PLAN YOUR KITCHEN LAYOUT

Since the foot print and layout will go hand and hand with your budget, here are the questions to ask yourself on the layout you desire:

1.Are you keeping appliances and plumbing in the current location?
2. What areas are working well for you?
3. What parts of your kitchen are not functioning well?
4. What do you wish was organized better?
5. Do you have enough room to achieve your goals within the existing walls?

As a Certified Kitchen & Bath designer (CKBD), there are several guidelines from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) that we follow to make sure your new kitchen functions well, supports your needs, and has a good overall flow and design. The first guideline is checking the layout against the kitchen triangle. You may have heard of it, but I will give you all the inside scoop of how to use the triangle for planning your kitchen footprint successfully. Initially the pioneer work of optimizing kitchen layouts and starting the idea of a kitchen triangle was begun in the 1920s by Lillian Moller Gilbreth, an
industrial psychologist and engineer, who used research on motion savings to create better living
situations.

Here are the Kitchen Triangle principles to follow:

• No leg of the triangle should be less than 4feet or more than 9 feet.
• The sum of all three sides of the triangle should be between 13 feet and 26 feet. Cabinets or other obstacles should not intersect any leg of the triangle by more than12 inches.
• If possible, there should be no major traffic flow through the triangle.
• A full-height obstacle, such as a tall cabinet, should not come between any two points of
  the triangle.

DESIGN DIRECTION AND STYLE

Finding the Design direction for any home project can feel overwhelming, but there is a process to figuring out your style and preference. Start your search! We are blessed to have so many great resources on line to get inspiration and ideas. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and your computer. We recommend going to Instagram, Pinterest and design magazines.

Find the common thread by looking at the images and deciding what you like an dislike with them. You will find there are some things that you are being consistent with liking. Ask yourself, Are there features or design elements you are consistently liking? Are there colors and materials that you are drawn to?

SELECTIONS AND MATERIALS

Once you have an overall design direction, it is time for the fun part! PICKING OUT ALL THE THINGS! We recommend getting everything picked out BEFORE starting any construction. While you might be excited to get started, that feeling will get old once you have your house torn apart
and you don’t have all the decisions made. Since there are lots of choices, give yourself some time to get it done. Remodeling is an investment and you will want to think it all through. Carve out time to visit local showrooms. See, touch, and feel what the finishes look like and how they go together.
If you are selecting materials as you go, it’s like building a ship while your already sailing! It feels nuts!
The fact it- items could have long lead times, be on back order, slowing down your project. If you are
in a pinch to find things you will always spend more money and possibly choose things you wouldn’t
have normally, just because it’s in stock.

When selections are made and PURCHASED before construction, your project will run smoother. You
will have a better chance of meeting your budget and timeline. You will most likely have a more
cohesive design that feels good for you and functions well for how you live. Even that makeover show you love so much, didn’t just show up with things they bought over the weekend. They didn’t JUST meet and have a new kitchen the next 2 days. They prepared months in advance!

When choosing the selections for your Kitchen start with the most expensive items like cabinetry and
countertops and then build your selections palette from there. Or if finding your backsplash tile first
gets you going, do that! It is always a good idea to have something you love set the tone for the space. Make sure to get samples so you can see how everything looks together!

FINDING THE RIGHT PROS

Hiring the right pros can seem like a daunting task. But it’s good to step back and figure out what you
need and what you are looking for. In finding the right Pro for you, it is a balance of quality &
chemistry. You want them all to be knowledgeable, but you might click with certain pros over others. Read more on WHO TO HIRE FOR YOUR REMODELING PROJECT

ESTIMATE YOUR TIME

All remodeling projects take time to plan, design, shop, and construct. What are normal timelines and
what can you expect? There are three aspects that everyone wants. You can’t have it all. You must pick 2!

1. If you rush the project timeline, you might sacrifice the quality of the work being executed. And it will certainly cost more money.
2. If you want costs to go down, but not sacrifice the quality, this will take research, time, and patience.
3. If quality is your goal, and it should be, you have to be ok with things taking a longer time or costing more, or both.

Each design professional and contractor will have different timelines depending on their current projects
and average timeframes for the level of remodeling you want.
Talk with them to get an overall idea on timeline. Be flexible as there are a lot of factors out of their
control like: waiting on other trades, codes approvals, backorders & long lead times for materials &
products, and on the spot fire extinguishing for current projects, which takes time that you will be glad
they took when it’s your turn to have “project hiccups”. Quality takes time and careful eyes!
What matters most on this is that your pros communicate with you well so you know where you stand.
Expect delays. And never plan an event or party around your remodel. Keep the end goal in sight. You are
getting the most functional and beautiful Kitchen of your dreams that will serve you well. Just remember
that good things take time.

In the end, careful planning is the key to a successful kitchen remodel. It ensures the design is not only beautiful but also functional and tailored to your needs. As interior designers, we understand that proper planning minimizes stress, avoids costly mistakes, and leads to a space that enhances both your daily life and the overall value of your home. With thoughtful preparation, your dream kitchen can become a reality.

WE GOT YOU!

Need help with your Kitchen Remodel? This is our specialty! We have a Kitchen Design Package that has everything you need. It carries your project from concept to completion! There are a lot of details in a Kitchen Remodel and we are here to help you get the Kitchen of your dreams! Click here to learn more!