KITCHENS

QUESTION: I am planning to remodel our existing kitchen, but I am overwhelmed.  We are planning to live in this house for the next 10 years, then sell, so I would like to make the right decisions to help increase the value of our home.

ANSWER: Kitchens have always been the center of family activities.  As our lives have become busier, the demands on the kitchen have changed.  In the past, the kitchen was a room separated from the other living areas.  The standard kitchen layout was either in a galley shape, U-shape or L-shape and the layout of the kitchen nicely accommodated one cook.

For years, there has been no better place to gather than the kitchen.  Large or small, the kitchen is the place to connect.  In today’s world, the kitchen has truly become the socializing area for family and friends, which has changed the direction and rules for kitchen design.  Consumers are demanding much, much more from their spaces.

Kitchen design has become a highly technical and detailed field.  It is the careful attention to the details of client needs, budget, space planning and kitchen layout, decision on style, selection of cabinets, finish materials, plumbing, appliances, lighting and hardware that make the difference between a good design and a long-lived great design.

Family and friends today want to gather around the center of activity - the kitchen-family area.  Not only is the kitchen a place for multiple cooks, it is also a place to find computer work stations, wine coolers, warming drawers, butler pantries, snack bar, large oversized islands, fireplaces and soft cozy chairs and multiple work areas.  The tried and true basic work triangle has now grown into a “second” work triangle.  Multiple cooks in the kitchen are becoming very popular.  It is a terrific way to spend time together at the end of the day.  Designing the area for a second triangle allows the primary cook not only an assistant, but a delightful way to interact with others.  Cooking can become fun and good therapy.  The second triangle can easily be created by adding a second prep sink  positioned so both cooks can share appliances.

Because function and form are so important in obtaining a successful project, my first recommendation is to begin your planning with a professional designer who can bring proficiency, skill and consistency to your project.  When beginning to plan a new kitchen, the designer and client should first review not only the existing kitchen space, but also the other spaces in the home which relate to the family living areas (dining room, breakfast areas, living room, great room, etc.).  No longer is there the traditional separation of rooms and a professional designer can evaluate the areas and determine if simply reworking or rearranging the spaces will add value and better function to the spaces.  There is also great value given to a home when a consistency in design is common throughout the home.

A skilled designer will also assist in guiding the client to wise selections in all products as they have great product knowledge and sources.  For example, the designer will recommend selections on the project for such items as cabinets, plumbing, counter top material, counter top edge and backsplash design, kitchen hood design, appliances and lighting.  The designer can prepare drawings and specifications for the needed product and prepare documents for the client, contractor or architect to submit to several suppliers in order to obtain competitive bids.  The client can then make a qualified decision on the selection and have control of the budget as well as the product.

QUESTION:  We have decided on a preliminary kitchen plan so what is my next step?

ANSWER: The next step to planning a kitchen is to become familiar with the products available to you, the consumer.  Become familiar with the plumbing, cabinet, appliance, and finish material options.  I always ask my clients to first visualize what they would really like with the finished kitchen.  Paint that image and shoot for the moon while you are dreaming and creating on paper.    

Once you have established the desired look, you need to establish a realistic budget.

Obviously, budgets will vary with the selections of product, and the selection of product can be altered to fit within a budget.  There are innumerable variances which one can work within.   For example, make your selection for appliances, submit a written specification list of appliances to include product, model number, size, finish, etc.

Submit this list to several suppliers to obtain bids.  At this time you may also ask them to submit a suggested “equal” if you would like an option for budget consideration. 

The NKBA, NAHB, and National Association of Remodeling Industry pretty well all agree that what you spend for your kitchen should be relative to the value of your home, typically 10 to 25 percent of the home’s estimated market price.  An appliance package for the kitchen can run about 20% of the total kitchen cost.  Of course, that depends on the client’s product preference.  The important thing is to be consumer wise and know what you are purchasing.

Cabinets can also vary in costs, and with the variation in costs,  also comes a variation in construction.  There are several types of cabinets:  manufacturer cabinets, manufactured with the ability to add some custom detail, and custom cabinets which are built by a custom furniture/cabinet maker.  With each of these options also comes the flexibility for custom finishes or standard packaged finishes.  Price will dictate some of these options.

There are two basic types of cabinets – European Style (frameless) and the Traditional American Style (framed). Note in the photograph  that the European style does not have a frame around and between doors.

When visiting with cabinet manufacturers ask questions on construction and inspect how the cabinets are put together and what interior package is included in the pricing.  Look at more than one door panel to be sure wood tones and stains are consistent.   Types of wood – pine, alder, cherry, hickory - will cause the cabinet price to vary.  Deciding between a flat panel door and a raised panel door will also affect pricing.

Study the cabinets, style, wood, glides, hardware, and finishes.  The sides of cabinets may be finished in several different methods which can affect pricing, example 1) the cabinet  side may be constructed of a wood grain laminate, 2)sides may be a wood flat panel, 3) sides may be a wood, raised panel with stile and rail to match the cabinet doors.  Shelves can be laminate, laminate with wood edge or wood shelves.  Crown moulding and detail may add additional dollars to the project, however, it will also give a more finished and furniture style look to your kitchen. 

An updated kitchen or master bath is a wise investment for the value of your home.  Make you decisions wisely and have fun.