Tips On Narrowing Down All Of The Decisions When Renovating Your Kitchen

OK, you’ve made the first BIG decision that this is the year you will renovate your kitchen. Now what – visit a kitchen cabinet supplier and the smaller decisions will fall into place???

Renovating your kitchen can be an overwhelming task, but easier if you take the time to develop a plan of “next steps” to assist you in designing a beautiful, comfortable, functional space.

1. Start a file of kitchens you love. Maybe it’s on Pinterest or just going through Kitchen & Bath magazines. You will note a trend developing.

• Are you attracted to white kitchens or do you prefer a custom glazed cabinet?
• Inset or overlay cabinetry?
• Center Island with stools for family and friends to gather?
• Does it match or in a contrasting finish?
• Flooring? Backsplashes? Lighting, tables & window seat?
• Do you like wall ovens or ovens below your range?
• Separate frig and freezer?
• Frig drawers to provide a place for beverages, produce or snacks?

Refrigerator drawers

 Dishwasher drawers for all of those glasses that somehow get used. Will I really use the prep sink on the island?

Dishwasher drawers and prep sink

• Are you looking for customization of the cabinets and storage options or will stock cabinetry fit the budget?
• What about a docking station for all the cell phones, school papers, mail?

And the biggest question of them all – does this all work harmoniously? The choices are endless.

Yikes so many decisions!

2. Create a list of everything you feel your current kitchen is lacking – not enough storage, need more frig space, 2 ovens, extra recycling space, better placement of lighting? Then create a “new kitchen must haves” list. Eventually you will narrow down the list to elements you can’t live without and others that default to the “might be nice category”.

3. Hire A Professional Interior Designer – Why an Interior Designer? Interior Designers are trained to look at the whole picture. Not just your kitchen, but how your decisions will impact the adjacent rooms. Does your design work with the architecture of the rest of your home? What style/colors are in those rooms?

Adjacent kitchen and family room with complementary color scheme

There are wide selections of options for cabinets, backsplash, counter tops, flooring, & lighting. Interior Designers have multiple resources to be able to find that special combination of designs that are uniquely for you, your lifestyle and budget. Good lighting is not just about the fixture, but proper placement to avoid shadows.

Select an Interior Designer that has renovated many kitchens. Excellent design works best when it is a collaboration of homeowner and designer.

4. Hire a qualified licensed general contractor – The skill level and reliability cannot be emphasized enough. We’ve all heard the horror stories.

Again, your Interior Designer has a list of trusted contractors she has worked with in the past. Don’t underestimate the value of a qualified contractor working hand in hand with an Interior Designer. This is the key to eliminating costly mistakes.

Some Interior Designers will also oversee the renovation & installation, so the project becomes turnkey for you. They ensure that the proper contractor is on site when needed so your project runs smoothly, on time and on budget.
They will accept and inspect deliveries.

If you are considering renovating your kitchen or bath, please give us a call at 914.234.7066. Check out one of our kitchen renovations featured in Kitchen & Bath Ideas Magazine Spring 2014 on our website under “media“.