A kitchen remodel is a significant investment with rewarding benefits, especially for resale value. It's crucial to ensure it's done correctly. As an Interior Designer, understanding how my clients use their kitchens is essential for creating a functional design tailored to their needs.
Prior to designing a kitchen, I ask my clients lots of questions. I need to know if you are a cook or a baker? Do you need extra storage? Does the kitchen have a walk in pantry? Would you like a walk in pantry? Is a walk in pantry possible given the architecture of the house? Do you entertain and have lots of platters that need to be stored away? Do you need more than one oven? More than one dishwasher? What about refrigerator space? Do you like to have a separate beverage fridge? Etc...
Everyone wants that instagram or pinterest worthy kitchen that is pretty and functional... Where everything has its place... It's clean and uncluttered. What I have found with my clients is that storage is key. You want to be able to access the tools you need in the spaces you need them to be. Islands are a favorite spot of mine to add extra storage. Especially for the stuff that maybe you only bring out a few times a year. By putting cabinetry underneath on both sides of an island, you can keep the countertops clear. I always use built in pull outs in all cabinetry in kitchen remodels. The island is no exception. You simply open the cabinet and pull it out and voila, everything is right there. If you plan to have stools on one side of an island, I am careful about selections for hardware so that you or your guests are not hitting their knees every time they sit down.
A crucial tool that every kitchen needs is a hot water tap. It's great if you want to put a pot of water on the stove to boil to make pasta. Great if you want to make a cup of tea. Even better if you want to do the dishes. My husband got me one years and years ago because he couldn't stand listening to me make hot water with a kettle. We've had one ever since and since he is the main dishwasher in our house (I cook, he cleans), we couldn't live without one.
Looking to materials to use in a kitchen, the questions above are still relevant. They speak to the types of materials I would recommend to a client for their kitchen. If you are like me and are hard on things, a natural stone surface such as a quartzite is great. You don't have to worry about something that is high maintenance. I love using the same countertop material for the backsplash behind the cooktop. Not only does it look amazing, it's also super easy to clean. There is no need to worry about marinara sauce staining a grout line if it splashes.
Lighting is crucial in kitchen designs as well, requiring various types. I always include undercabinet and task lighting. In a recent project with a large island, we ensured it didn't overwhelm the space while providing ample overhead lighting for safe prep tasks like chopping or slicing.
If you're planning to remodel your kitchen or are building a new house and thinking about kitchen design, reach out to me. I'd love to help.
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