Kitchen Planning 101: How to Get Started With Your Renovation
When it comes to a home design project, there’s nothing quite as exciting — or as daunting — as tackling a kitchen. And after almost ten years in the business, with just about as many kitchen projects now under my belt, I’ve learned a thing or two about what it takes to make this central hub of any home as functional as it is beautiful.
If you caught our second “Spend vs. Save” post, dedicated to kitchens and bathrooms, then you already got the scoop on how to make smart decisions with your budget in this space. For “Kitchen Planning 101” this time, I wanted to dig a little deeper to talk about the myriad of other things to consider so you can set yourself up for success if you’re planning a kitchen renovation.
It All Starts With a Plan
For many of us (myself included), it can be all too easy to get sucked down the Pinterest rabbit hole drooling over picture after picture of magazine-worthy kitchen. I think this is doubly true if you’re stuck looking at a dated kitchen in your own home every day! While it’s fun to fill your inspiration board, and can be immensely helpful to have some ideas floating around once you begin the design process, it’s important to spend some time thinking about your floorplan first before you get too distracted with the pretty stuff like countertops, tile, cabinets, and light fixtures.
I’m sure many of you have already heard of the all-important “Work Triangle” for kitchens, but since this is a 101 level blog post, I figured I’d cover all bases just in case. To start, it’s important to note that the concept of the triangle was first introduced in the 1940s. Back then, kitchens were much smaller than the average one is today and were pretty much used only for cooking. Today’s kitchens have evolved to become the core centers of the home that not only facilitate cooking but eating, entertaining, etc. as busy family’s multi-task throughout their week. There has also been a slew of advancements in appliance and materials technology, and even “smart” technologies that are now all being implemented in contemporary kitchens.
All things considered, the general idea behind the kitchen work triangle still applies. When planning your layout, aim to keep the path between each of the three main work areas in the kitchen — the sink, the cooktop, and the refrigerator — as unobstructed as possible, with no less than 4’ or more than 9’ in between each area. In addition, the total length of all sides of your triangle should be between 13’ and 26’. Also consider that each major appliance/task center will likely need a landing space next to it (i.e. counter space for loading and unloading the dishwasher, or a place to set a hot pan fresh from the oven).
This configuration not only creates an efficient rotational movement between each task while cooking and cleaning, but limits the opportunity for spills, or hazards. While you may be contending with certain architectural limitations when creating your new floorplan, each of the six most common kitchen layouts (Single-Wall, Galley/Parallel, L-Shaped, U-Shaped, G-shaped, and Island Feature kitchens) can accommodate a proper work triangle. Focus on optimizing the layout to accommodate the best possible triangle for your space. It will make your life easier, and make your kitchen remodel more valuable!
Other things to consider when planning the space are the locations of important mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components for your kitchen. If you can avoid moving power sources, vents, or water and gas lines, it can not only greatly reduce the cost of your renovation, but limit the impact on your walls, floors, and adjacent spaces.
How Should Your Dream Kitchen Perform?
When you’re investing in something as important as a kitchen renovation, the old adage “Do it once, do it right.” is something to live by. From the durability of finishes you select to the quality of the appliances you choose, your kitchen renovation should be planned around how you intend to use it. This will ensure your kitchen stands up to your lifestyle, and also help you to prioritize the best way to use your budget.
Here are some of the main points to consider when planning your kitchen renovation:
How large is your family?
Since kitchens have evolved into gathering spaces for the whole family, you’ll want to include an eat-in space or island that’s large enough to accommodate the whole brood, if possible. If you like to make cooking a social activity and have many mouths to feed, then you’ll need enough countertop space to enlist some kitchen helpers. You’ll want some sort of pantry and a large refrigerator and freezer for groceries. Last, be sure to include enough open space for all of these bodies to circulate!
Do you enjoy entertaining?
If you’re like me and you like to entertain, then you know friends can be family, too! All of the points above still apply here, but an additional consideration is your entertaining style. If you’re more informal, consider adding a beverage fridge and bar area that’s out of the way of your cooking and cleaning zones. This way guests can help themselves to a refill without interrupting your flow. Something else that may seem super-indulgent at first, but can actually be a total lifesaver during busy social gatherings (holidays, birthdays, etc.) is doubling up on your workhorse appliances. While double ovens are pretty common, you haven’t experienced true luxury until you have a second dishwasher! This is the kind of investment that really pays for itself by giving you some of your precious time back.
What type, and how much storage do you need?
A good way to start thinking about how much storage you need in your new kitchen is to perform an audit of your current cabinet space. Here are some questions to help get you started. Are your cabinets overflowing? If so, do you actually use all of the things you’ve got stowed in the kitchen, or could they be relocated to another spot in the house (or even donated)? Are your cabinets half empty? Eliminating some surplus storage might actually allow you to achieve a better functioning floor plan for your lifestyle. Can you easily reach and access all of your cabinets? Do you have a storage solution that makes sense for all of your “need to have” items like cookware, plates, glasses, silverware, and small appliances? What about some of the more custom solutions for those “nice to have” items like spices, cutting boards, coffee and tea supplies, etc.? How might you integrate your trash and recycling? Take note of any of these pain points and focus on solutions that eliminate them versus simply giving yourself a newer/better-looking version of the same bad kitchen.
What type, and how much lighting do you need?
Addressing lighting for a kitchen is 50% aesthetics and 50% function. Similar to cabinet hardware, lighting is basically the stand in for “art” in a kitchen, and one of the few opportunities you have to make a statement in your new space. For pendants over an island, or a larger fixture over an eat-in dining table, take your time to choose something you’ll truly love looking at everyday (so you don’t ruin the rest of the renovation). Perhaps more important is adequate lighting so you can safely see what you’re doing while dicing, peeling, and flambé-ing! If your kitchen lacks windows or is otherwise starved for light, plan to incorporate the necessary amount of recessed ambient lighting, task lighting, and even under cabinet lighting along with your statement fixtures. They may not be as pretty or fun to choose, but you will definitely miss them if they’re not part of the mix!
Sidenote while we’re talking electrical: Consider the number of outlets and light switches you’ll need, and think about where to place them! This is not a detail you’ll want to skip until the last minute as it often impacts other parts of the renovation.
Is this your “forever” kitchen?
Unless you’re just tackling a modest facelift to tide you over for a bit, most homeowners typically will not renovate a kitchen more than once. Think about this as a long term commitment when choosing your materials. You’ll want something durable that protects your investment. It’s also best to avoid anything too trendy which could end up giving your kitchen a dated appearance long before the quality of the items in place degrades. Consider how painted cabinets wear versus stained cabinets. Note that these finishes will also wear differently depending on where they’re applied (uppers vs. base cabinets). Not all countertops are created equal, so choose a material and colorway that reflects your lifestyle. Ask yourself how messy are you when you cook? Do you have young children? How often do you like to clean your countertops? What’s your tolerance for maintaining something? The same considerations apply when selecting your flooring, just be sure to add pets to your list along with kids! Last, spend some time researching the lifespans of different appliances and spend accordingly.
Design First, Then Build!
If you’re not sure what’s possible in your home (or feeling overwhelmed by all of the decisions you’ll have to make), a professional Interior Designer with experience in kitchens can help you determine the best layout for your space, and for your family’s wants and needs. They can also help you consider a number of other important factors such as the age and style of your home if anything can be repurposed, storage needs, and how the kitchen’s design speaks to any adjacent spaces such as a casual eat-in area, formal dining room, or family room. This is particularly important if you’re trying to achieve a more open concept plan and are navigating multiple transitions (flooring, paint, ceilings, furniture styles, etc.).
An Interior Designer will also have relationships with a number of licensed and insured contractors in your area who can help determine any structural considerations if you plan to move walls or mechanics, factor in if anything needs to be repaired or replaced, maintain compliance with safety codes and permitting, and plan the proper order of operations when the time comes to execute your project.
By enlisting the help of a design team prior to engaging a contractor, you can make sure all of the details are planned prior to requesting the contractor’s bid. This helps eliminate surprise expenses or multiple changes to the project’s scope. When these important decisions are left to be made on the fly, it not only drives up the costs by trying to secure items last minute, but limits your options, and extends the timeline of the overall project.
A Final Word of Warning
While there’s no harm in simply gathering info on what’s possible, or finding inspiration, please be wary of the “free design” services that many home improvement or material supply stores may offer. These stores are limited to the smaller list of manufacturers they carry when selecting fixtures and finishes, and do not take the time to understand your family’s unique circumstances and needs. In many cases, the store’s designers do not even visit your home to see the space and take detailed measurements, leaving this task up to subcontracted third-party installers instead.
While store associates may be knowledgeable about the lines they carry for things such as countertops, cabinets, and appliances, take this information with a grain of salt. There is a big difference between approaching a kitchen renovation from a retails/sales perspective, versus a design perspective. Over the last several years, many of the big box home stores have also eliminated commissions for their kitchen design teams. While this might seem like a good thing initially (no one is pushing the wrong product simply to earn a commission), the unfortunate side effect was that it led to massive turnover with many of the most qualified design employees heading elsewhere to receive adequate salaries. For something as important and as expensive as a kitchen renovation, we’d recommend avoiding this risk altogether.
Long overdue for a refresh, but not quite sure where to begin?
If you’re ready to plan the kitchen of your dreams, click below to get in touch with the Studio 1049 team. We’d love to hear from you!