Creating a Kitchen Design - Section One - Set Priorities

Design professionals interview their clients length at the beginning of a project. If you will be your own designer, do the same thing. Make notes of you and your family in the kitchen during typical meal preparation or any other kitchen-based activities. If your parties often spill into the kitchen, for instance, pay attention at your next party as to how difficult or east it is to interact with guests while you're cooking or serving. Is there enough room for opening the refrigerator door when someone passes behind you? Is there space on the countertop to set up a small, informal buffet or bar?





Note the different situations that typically interrupt or assist your work flow and traffic patterns. Is the aisle you use to reach the oven the same as the one used to walk from the back door into the house? Observe how many time you have to walk across the room for something.





If you consult with a professional, don't be put off by questions. Any good designer has to get to know your habits, likes and dislikes of the people who will live with the finished project. He or she wants to understand your basic requirements as well as your wildest dreams for the new kitchen.





A designer will also sketch the existing space to get an idea of what works and what doesn't. This rough drawing may include any adjacent areas that might be considered for expansion, such as a pantry or part of a hallway. A professional designer will also create a design layout of your new kitchen to help you visualize your dream. They can provide you with the size of the cabinets, exact placement and other information that will be useful in your project. Any changes can easily be made to suit the function you need as well as create the custom look you want. Designers usually charge a fee for their service, but their knowledge and perspective of this important project is extremely valuable and can eliminate costly mistakes when ordering your own cabinets.





Once again, if you act as your own designer, o the same thing. Talk to everyone in the household. Ask what they think needs improvement, as well as any aspects of the space as it exists that they prefer to retain.





For the best results, approach the project in the same calm, analytical manner as a professional, one who understands design and can be objective about what has to happen.





Next Blog - How to begin!