“If a kitchen remodel is in your foreseeable future, it’s important to examine various considerations prior to work commencing,” said Paulette Sodemann, CKBR, Senior Designer with Callen Construction. “This includes evaluating how long you plan on living in your home, the desired size and layout of your kitchen, the functionality of the space, and the budget.”
Before tackling a kitchen remodel, or any major home remodeling project for that matter, you need to establish your goals. “For instance, if you plan on moving out of your home within the next few years, your kitchen remodel could be planned with resale value in mind,” said Paulette. To help ensure you attract potential homebuyers, you’re encouraged to incorporate modern kitchen design trends into the space. “Conversely, if you plan on staying put for five years or more, the kitchen should closely reflect your specific needs and wants,” she said. “Feel free to integrate the kitchen designs, trends, colors, and patterns that resonate with you as well as compliment the rest of your home.”
A kitchen’s layout is dependent on the size of the space. For example, if your kitchen is on the smaller side and you’d prefer to keep it that way, then it’s vital to fully maximize every square inch of the space. Alternatively, if you plan on increasing the kitchen size, then you’ll need to contemplate tearing down walls or adding on to your home. “Remember, don’t let your kitchen’s current layout restrict your choices. Oftentimes, certain features, such as doors and windows, are not situated in desired spaces and can be moved, so that they better accommodate your needs,” Paulette said. “However, if you’d rather not move these features, your kitchen plans will have to work around your current layout, but modifications are nearly always possible.”
If you’re having difficulty deciding whether to keep or change your kitchen’s current size and layout, think about how you move through the space. Determine whether or not your kitchen suits your cooking needs, if there is enough counter and storage space, if the space feels overcrowded when more than one cook is present, and if there’s a clear path from the cooking range to the sink. “Addressing such observations will help point you towards the appropriate kitchen size and layout best fitted for your style of living,” she said.
In order to establish kitchen functionality, you must first evaluate your unique lifestyle. Ask yourself if you utilize this space primarily for cooking, dining, entertaining, other uses, or all of the above. Additionally, how would you classify your personal cooking style – are you more of a gourmet chef or someone who favors easy weeknight meals? “Be sure to take into account how many people you cook for on any given day and how many cooks are typically in the kitchen at one time. How you use the space and the type of cook you identify with reveals the types of appliances and features you’ll need,” Paulette said. Another route involves pinpointing items or features in your current kitchen that you rarely use or see a practical use for, as these can be eliminated from the new kitchen plans.
Budget is generally at the forefront of homeowners’ minds when discussing a remodeling project. “It’s fine to have a wish list, but it’s crucial to be honest with your design team in order to ensure the project falls within your means,” said Paulette. As an added measure, it is wise to include a little wiggle room in the event of unanticipated events. “Depending on your home’s age and the extent of the remodel, there can be unexpected plumbing, structural, or electrical situations that require addressing,” she said. “For instance, outdated wiring may not support new appliances and lighting, so new wiring will need to be installed.”
Defining a kitchen as it relates to you and your family as well as determining the budget helps other aspects of a kitchen remodel fall into place. To be more specific, your needs and budget will greatly influence the kitchen’s size and layout, its functionality, and ultimately, the space’s design and style. “Not only does studying these considerations beforehand assist the kitchen remodeling process, but it also helps create a beautiful and functional space that is ideally suited for the homeowner,” Paulette said.
