From classic and white to warm woods and layered, we have designed a full range of kitchens over the years. Every kitchen is as different as every family we help and that is what makes designing them so intricate and detailed. An office poll among our team would reveal that we each have our own distinct preferences when it comes to the feeling we want our kitchens to have and how we need them to function. That said, there are some universal tips for kitchen design that we consistently revisit to inform every stylistic setting. Before diving into a design, these are our top four tips:
1. Start with the appliance package.
Your layout and cabinetry can’t be designed until there is a pretty good sense of the type and size of appliances you’ll be including. Consider which appliances are important to you and how will they help your day-to-day meal preparation, food storage and clean up. Would a beverage refrigerator help free up space in the primary refrigerator? Is a second dishwasher necessary? Do you often cook for a crowd and would a double oven help?
2. Consider - What’s your “wow” moment?
Is it your dream range and decorative hood, the statement backsplash or the view out your kitchen sink window? Just like in other rooms of the home, there can’t be too many stars of the show, so determining which elevation you want to shine will help dictate the quieter moments of your space.
3. Think through how you cook and how your family uses the kitchen.
Double sinks for vegetable prep, extra freezer space for make-ahead meals, 6 burners and double ovens for holiday meals, two garbage stations, a coffee or cocktail station, wine fridges and freezer drawers - the list is endless when it comes to ways to customize your space. There are many great newer to market cabinetry inserts (peg systems for drawer storage, appliance lifts for heavy mixers, spice organization) that help homeowners use every square inch of space. After the layout and shell of a kitchen is designed, we recommend clients go through the design and list out where all of their items will live in the new kitchen - this usually nets a few key revisions that improve the initial design.
4. Leave space for some softness and personality.
Open shelving for a pottery collection, a spot for art, a beautiful window treatment or bar stool fabric can be what takes a kitchen to the next level. The best part about these types of accents is that they are relatively easy to change up as your tastes and style shifts over the years.
For more kitchen inspiration, view our portfolio of KITCHEN DESIGNS.