Your kitchen should reflect your lifestyle. It should fit your family and your cooking needs, provide the type of space you need for dining and offer plenty of storage options.

The design and décor should also complement your home’s overall architecture and set the tone for family and friends to gather there. Many things factor into a kitchen design, but the first step before choosing appliances or visiting a cabinet showroom is to understand your goals for the space.

Start by understanding why you’re remodeling and what you really want to get out of it. A kitchen remodel is not an easy task, so why are you doing it?
We like to gain an understanding of these key variables in designing or remodeling a kitchen:

• Size of the space
• Orientation of sunlight
• Connection of kitchen to adjacent rooms
• Homeowner’s lifestyle
• Budget
• Condition of the building

Kitchen Remodeling Considerations

As you start planning your remodel, consider these factors:

#1 – Size (Square Footage). The size of your kitchen will dictate the layout:

• Is there room for an island?
• Does the space allow for a prep sink?
• Where can we squeeze in extra storage?
• Will you knock out a wall or extend the kitchen by adding on to your home?
• How much space can you conceivably add to your kitchen layout?

These are questions to consider and we can help you devise a solid plan.

#2 – Existing Layout. Don’t feel stuck to your kitchen’s existing footprint. If you need to stick to the location of existing windows and doors of your kitchen, you may be locked in to your layout—but there are always ways to creatively modify.

For instance, you can add an island or a peninsula to an L-shaped kitchen and create a horseshoe layout that offers more counter space and efficiency.

As you consider kitchen layout, take time to think about what you like about your current kitchen:

• How do you move in the space?
• Does the workflow accommodate your cooking routine?
• Can you easily move from the range to the sink?
• How effective is your kitchen when more than one person is cooking?

#3 – Budget. First decide where you plan to save and where you think you may want to splurge. Set a realistic budget, figuring approximately 10 percent of your home value for a complete kitchen remodel and be sure to add a contingency budget for unforeseen expenses.