Starting Your Kitchen Design Process

We all know that life is full of choices. Well, that fact is no different when it comes to designing and selecting cabinetry for your new kitchen. While this is an exciting experience, it can also be an overwhelming one. You have your choice of overall style (traditional, transitional, contemporary, industrial, rustic, eclectic, and more…), cabinet door style, wood species, cabinet finish, accessories, and, of course, the layout of the space. With so many decisions to be made, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Here are a few points that may be helpful in starting the process.

1. Peruse magazines and the internet to view pictures of completed kitchens and identify details that you like. Some popular design websites include houzz.com and apartmenttherapy.com among many other. Organize pictures and notes together in a file where you can easily view your selections. Often, people find that they end up selecting pictures that represent similar styles and details. If you previously weren’t sure what your overall style was, this activity can be a good start to help you identify one.

2. Appliances are the foundation of a kitchen, therefore it is important to consider them early in the design process. The most common appliances provide a means of food preservation, food preparation, ventilation, and clean up. However, the possible styles, sizes, and combinations can vary greatly. Consider what you like and dislike about your current kitchen appliances, as well as how you need your new kitchen to function and what appliance styles you like the look of. For example, in terms of refrigerator styles, do you like the appearance/function/cost of integrated, built-in, or free-standing? When it comes to cooking appliances, are you looking for a range, cooktop, double oven, built-in microwave, warming drawer, etc? Ventilation options vary from integrated, stainless steel professional or chimney, over-the-range microwaves, and downdrafts. It may be helpful to visit an appliance showroom to see the available options in person. Bring a list of your preferences with you when you visit a kitchen showroom. Depending on your space, certain appliance combinations may work better than others with the type of kitchen design you ultimately select. This is something that designers will help you determine during the kitchen design process.

3. Look for a design inspiration piece or material. Having a point from which to build your design selections can be very helpful. This can be any element of the design, such as the cabinet or floor finish, countertop material, backsplash tile, pendent lights, or a farm sink. It can even be something as small as a favorite woven rug that you are looking to showcase in your new space. Another benefit of an inspiration piece or material is that it will provide you with an anchor, which you will be able to go back to if ever you begin to feel overwhelmed by the many options being presented to you.

Designing a new kitchen for yourself is not something that happens very often so, most of all, try to relax and have fun with the process. This is your opportunity to make your space truly your own.

Visit one of our showrooms to get kitchen remodeling ideas, either in Chicago or Lombard. If you have any questions about our products please email us at info@buildmykitchen.com or call us at (312) 829-4300. We would love to hear from you!