Where do you start?

You want to remodel your kitchen. Where do you start?

As a kitchen designer I always find the easiest clients to work with are those who understand what they want in a kitchen. These are the people who have a "kitchen file" filled with photos of kitchens from magazines that they like. When I meet with clients who have not started that process, then I always tell them to begin by creating such a file. Any designer will gain valuable information about your tastes when looking through a file you have created. So, buy magazines and start cutting.

Next on your "to do" list should be appliances selection. Obviously, every kitchen needs a place to cook food (even for those who don't actually cook), a refrigerator, a sink, microwave, and almost always, a dishwasher. Those are the things we cannot live without. There are also appliances that are slightly lower in priority, but still important to you in your new kitchen. This might include a warming drawer and trash compactor. I have also had clients wanting built in coffee makers, and built in steamers.

With your cooking appliances there are many decisions to be made. Gas? Or Electric? A range? Or separate wall ovens and a cooktop? 4 burners? Or 6? Microwave over the range? Or built in elsewhere? Often those decisions are narrowed down by space restrictions and budget. A smaller kitchen needs more compact appliances, while a larger space allows more flexibility.

Take a trip to a local appliance store, and look at appliances. Talk to people who sell them, and repair them. Then make your decision with the help of your kitchen designer to be sure that your space will accommodate what you have decided on.

The cabinet layout should be done in conjunction with the appliance selection. As a designer, I like to get in on the job in the very early phase. By doing a floorplan for the kitchen I can be sure that all the appliances, the eating area, and traffic paths all have the right amount of space. The cabinet layout will place your work centers, and it should help the kitchen to function more efficiently.

After the kitchen layout is done, or even while it is being done, the cabinet finish and door style are selected. I always have clients select the cabinet finish before the other finishes in the room. It is a key contributor to how the kitchen will look. Selecting your floor materials at the same time as the cabinet finish will allow you to be sure they will work well together.

Countertop selection generally comes after the cabinet finish is decided. Take a sample of your cabinet finish to your granite and countertop showroom to see what works with it. Some people prefer a grainy granite, some prefer something more veined, and some prefer a solid surface material. Laminate is still a reasonable choice for counters (there are of course, more exotic counters of materials such as soapstone, wood, stainless, concrete, etc. -- but I am still finding granite to be the most popular).

Decorative lighting fixtures need to be selected, both for style, and light output. A good lighting design is an essential part of your overall kitchen plan. I can't tell you how often a client's major complaint about their old kitchen is that it is too dark and the lighting is terrible. Plumbing fixtures also need to be selected, usually before the cabinets are ordered. I always tell clients to buy the best kitchen faucet they can afford. The kitchen faucet is typically used more than any other faucet in your home, and one that does not work properly or leaks, is likely to cause frustration regularly.

Backsplash tile and cabinet hardware are the next items to select. There are so many ways to use tile, at relatively low cost, to add a great designer touch to your kitchen. You can create a beautiful backsplash at a very reasonable cost. Talk to your designer about creating a layout for the backsplash.

Of course, your kitchen designer should be able to assist you with all of these selections. I like to have all of these decisions made before having contractors bid on the job. The more they know, the more accurate their bids can be.

These are the steps to a successful kitchen project. 
-MaryBeth