I have so many clients that come to me for kitchen remodels. It’s such a huge undertaking, with so much time, energy and financial resources going into it. It can seem really overwhelming and most people don’t even know where to start. I thought I would share a few ways to get started before you hire anyone just so you have a little better handle on what you want and how much it will cost. I also created a free download to help you gather all the materials you need

1. Gather those inspiration pics!

Even as a designer sometimes it is so hard to narrow down a style for a space. Sometimes more than one look will work for one of my spaces or for a client. More often than not there are bits and pieces from different images that inspire something else completely. The inspiration photos are used to really hone into what the look will be for a space. different details that might be desired, layout options ect.

When gathering all these photos it’s always helpful to just start tagging, pinning, saving. Get as many photos as you can get. Then, go through your photos a 2nd time. A 3rd time. A 4th time. Really start taking out those photos that don’t have the look that you feel is right for the space. Keep narrowing it down until you are left with a good solid amount that you feel good about every single photo. Then, that’s when you know you have the style and direction for your space.

1 / 2 / 3 /4

2. Create a moodboard

Once you know the design direction you want to go, the second thing I do when designing a kitchen (well, actually any space) is the mood board! That and setting a budget, but this is definitely more fun! Also, when you know the design direction you want to go, it’s easy to try and make your budget work. The mood board is where you start actually finding products that will work within your space. You don’t actually have to use the specific products in the final project, but having the items picked out really helps narrow down the elements that will make the space. You also start seeing how everything works together. It’s much easier to delete a product from your mood board rather than actually return a mis-bought product.

2. Set Your Budget

I can’t tell you how many times a client has told me they don’t have a budget. Bologna. Everyone has a budget, sometimes it might not be vocalized but there is a max amount that they want to spend on a project. The best thing you can do for yourself and those around you (spouse, contractor, ect) is actually to figure out what that budget is. Whether it’s $1000 or $100,000, there is a max amount that you want to spend. Once you have that amount, take 20% off and then make that your total budget. Things come up in your project and you don’t want something unexpected to cause undue stress.

Leaving that extra breathing room in your budget will help when something unexpected comes up behind those walls. Or if you find a tile that is a splurge and you just have to have it. It’s just that… breathing room.

4. Choose Your Cabinetry & Appliances

These two things are usually the most expensive and largest parts of your kitchen. They will be the items that take the bulk of the budget, so by starting at this point, you can narrow down what you will be working with. You can spend $5000 on your appliances or $60,000 so by working within what you want to spend and what features you want will

Source

3. Decide on a layout

Most people don’t have the computer skills to draft out a CAD rendering of their new kitchen design. But, everyone has the ability to get out some paper, pencil, ruler, measuring tape and eraser. It’s so much easier to make changes on paper than it is to make them after you have bought things. Get the measurements from your appliances, sink, and start drawing your plan. Once you have everything drawn the way you like it, you can take it to your cabinet builder, or showroom and have them do the CAD drawing so you know for sure everything will fit.

Things to keep in mind when you are doing your layout:

• Remember to put in windows, doors and other clearances you might have existing.
• Walls are typically 5″ thick (4″ framing, 1/2″ drywall) so if you are adding or removing any make sure you account for that
• Don’t forget the triangle! The work triangle that is! Having a direct path from the refrigerator to cooking to clean up is a must. Yes, of course, you can design and live without it, but for your kitchen to really function properly you need to have that. If you have something in the way, like an island, see if you can add a prep sink to close that triangle.
• Allow for the right walkway clearance. The minimum you need for your walkways is 36″. Depending on your counter overhang, make sure you take that into account too. Quartz typically will hang over 1″-1 12″ from the cabinets so I make sure I add that in. Typically, if you have a space that people will be working back to back – like the prep island and cooktop shown below – you want to leave 48″ minimum to allow for two bodies to move comfortably.

Don’t get frustrated if this takes awhile. Like I said before, it’s SO much easier to make changes at this stage. I usually go through 10 different iterations of a kitchen or more before I land on the right combo, balance, and flow in a space.

5. Finishing Touches

This is what sets your kitchen apart.