9 Easy Steps to Planning a Dream Kitchen
Sectioning the design process into easy-to-manage stages will help you achieve a beautiful kitchen with minimum fuss
Anne Ellard
11 September 2015
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane, Australia. I strongly believe that above all else, the most important thing when designing a kitchen is creating something that the client loves!
Houzz Australia Contributor. Kitchen designer at Kitchens by Kathie in Brisbane,... More
Whether renovating an old kitchen or designing a kitchen for a new build, the process can be daunting. There are so many things you need to consider and it can feel overwhelming. Having input into the drafting of the kitchen layout plans as well as choosing appliances, handles and finishes, are all important tasks, but where do you start?
My suggestion is to break up the design process into individual stages so you can concentrate on one area at a time. This will help to ensure you give yourself the best chance to assess all the options carefully without making any rash decisions.
My suggestion is to break up the design process into individual stages so you can concentrate on one area at a time. This will help to ensure you give yourself the best chance to assess all the options carefully without making any rash decisions.
1. Do some research
You may already have a pretty good idea of what you want for your new kitchen, or you may not have any idea at all! Either way, it’s good to do some of your own research before you engage a designer.
Have a look through all the amazing images here on Houzz to get some inspiration. It will help you get a feel for the kind of look that suits your home – and you may even discover some colour schemes or styles you haven’t considered before.
When choosing a designer, check out the professionals in your area here on Houzz and also ask friends and family for recommendations. They will be happy to share their experiences with you, both good and bad.
You may already have a pretty good idea of what you want for your new kitchen, or you may not have any idea at all! Either way, it’s good to do some of your own research before you engage a designer.
Have a look through all the amazing images here on Houzz to get some inspiration. It will help you get a feel for the kind of look that suits your home – and you may even discover some colour schemes or styles you haven’t considered before.
When choosing a designer, check out the professionals in your area here on Houzz and also ask friends and family for recommendations. They will be happy to share their experiences with you, both good and bad.
2. Gather your inspiration
When you go to meet your designer, bring along any photos you have gathered, colour swatches you have picked up and images that you have saved from online searches. This will help your designer gain an insight into the kind of style you like and the overall look that you would like to achieve for your new kitchen.
You don’t have to think about all aspects of the design at this stage; this is just a starting point for you and your designer to work from. Your designer will ask you lots of questions and will discuss lots of options with you to turn your dream kitchen into a reality.
When you go to meet your designer, bring along any photos you have gathered, colour swatches you have picked up and images that you have saved from online searches. This will help your designer gain an insight into the kind of style you like and the overall look that you would like to achieve for your new kitchen.
You don’t have to think about all aspects of the design at this stage; this is just a starting point for you and your designer to work from. Your designer will ask you lots of questions and will discuss lots of options with you to turn your dream kitchen into a reality.
3. Think about appliances
You don’t have to select particular appliance models at this stage, but it will help the design process if you have an idea of the kind of appliances you want.
The most important appliances to consider at this stage are your oven and fridge. Think about whether you would prefer a conventional under-bench oven or an eye-level wall oven – the latter may be especially appealing if you’ve spent years bending down to lift heavy roasting dishes out of your oven. Or maybe you’ve always dreamed of having a 900-millimetre-wide freestanding range. Both scenarios will have an impact on the design and layout of your new kitchen.
Also think about the style and size of fridge you would like; maybe you have a small fridge now but want to leave space for a bigger fridge in the future, or you might like to allow space for a tall side-by-side fridge and freezer.
Questions to ask before buying a kitchen appliance
You don’t have to select particular appliance models at this stage, but it will help the design process if you have an idea of the kind of appliances you want.
The most important appliances to consider at this stage are your oven and fridge. Think about whether you would prefer a conventional under-bench oven or an eye-level wall oven – the latter may be especially appealing if you’ve spent years bending down to lift heavy roasting dishes out of your oven. Or maybe you’ve always dreamed of having a 900-millimetre-wide freestanding range. Both scenarios will have an impact on the design and layout of your new kitchen.
Also think about the style and size of fridge you would like; maybe you have a small fridge now but want to leave space for a bigger fridge in the future, or you might like to allow space for a tall side-by-side fridge and freezer.
Questions to ask before buying a kitchen appliance
4. Get the layout right first
Regardless of the materials and colours that you choose for your new kitchen, the layout remains the most important aspect and I always recommend that it be the starting point in the design process.
At this stage, your designer will already have a feel for the look that you would like to achieve, and will keep this in mind when working out the best layout for your space.
Depending on the shape and size of your room, there may be one layout that works best or there may be a couple of layouts that can be considered. Either way, take the time to discuss all options with your designer.
You don’t need to make any final decisions or lock anything in at this stage. Deciding to spend your hard-earned cash on a new kitchen is a big deal and it’s a process that should not be rushed.
Choosing the right kitchen layout
Regardless of the materials and colours that you choose for your new kitchen, the layout remains the most important aspect and I always recommend that it be the starting point in the design process.
At this stage, your designer will already have a feel for the look that you would like to achieve, and will keep this in mind when working out the best layout for your space.
Depending on the shape and size of your room, there may be one layout that works best or there may be a couple of layouts that can be considered. Either way, take the time to discuss all options with your designer.
You don’t need to make any final decisions or lock anything in at this stage. Deciding to spend your hard-earned cash on a new kitchen is a big deal and it’s a process that should not be rushed.
Choosing the right kitchen layout
5. Evaluate your options
Go home and consider all the layout options available to you and consider the different ideas discussed with your designer. Now is the time to think about how you will work in the space and how you will move around the kitchen.
This is also a good time to assess the contents of your kitchen cabinets and ensure that your new kitchen layout has adequate storage to accommodate everything you need, particularly if you’d like storage for bigger, more awkward items such as blenders, food processors and other small appliances.
Go home and consider all the layout options available to you and consider the different ideas discussed with your designer. Now is the time to think about how you will work in the space and how you will move around the kitchen.
This is also a good time to assess the contents of your kitchen cabinets and ensure that your new kitchen layout has adequate storage to accommodate everything you need, particularly if you’d like storage for bigger, more awkward items such as blenders, food processors and other small appliances.
6. Visualise your new kitchen layout
Sit in the space and try to see how the layout will work and flow through surrounding areas, particularly in an open-plan home. Will you be able to move easily from the dining and living areas into the kitchen without too many obstacles? Will you be able to grab a cool drink from the fridge without walking through the work zones of the kitchen and getting under the cook’s feet?
If you have any questions, concerns or other ideas, don’t be afraid to discuss them with your designer, no matter how trivial you think it may be. It’s important that you get the kitchen that works best for you and your family.
Sometimes your designer may presume you know certain things (although a designer should never presume anything!). Don’t be afraid to tell your designer you are not familiar with how the whole process works and that you would like them to carefully discuss every aspect with you.
Sit in the space and try to see how the layout will work and flow through surrounding areas, particularly in an open-plan home. Will you be able to move easily from the dining and living areas into the kitchen without too many obstacles? Will you be able to grab a cool drink from the fridge without walking through the work zones of the kitchen and getting under the cook’s feet?
If you have any questions, concerns or other ideas, don’t be afraid to discuss them with your designer, no matter how trivial you think it may be. It’s important that you get the kitchen that works best for you and your family.
Sometimes your designer may presume you know certain things (although a designer should never presume anything!). Don’t be afraid to tell your designer you are not familiar with how the whole process works and that you would like them to carefully discuss every aspect with you.
7. Consider the style of your home
Once you have more or less figured out the layout, you can put that part of the process to one side for a moment while you move on to the fun stuff – materials and colours.
The style and era of your home will play a big factor when deciding on the style of your new kitchen and what finishes and colours you use. That’s not to say that just because you have a traditional-style house you have to have a traditional-style kitchen – but whatever you do choose has to work with the surrounding spaces.
For example, flat contemporary-style cabinet fronts can be teamed with natural granite benchtops and old-world handles to create a fresh, modern look that is still sympathetic to the style of a more traditional and older home. Your designer will have suggestions as to what they think will suit the style of your home, including what colours they think will work best in the space.
Once you have more or less figured out the layout, you can put that part of the process to one side for a moment while you move on to the fun stuff – materials and colours.
The style and era of your home will play a big factor when deciding on the style of your new kitchen and what finishes and colours you use. That’s not to say that just because you have a traditional-style house you have to have a traditional-style kitchen – but whatever you do choose has to work with the surrounding spaces.
For example, flat contemporary-style cabinet fronts can be teamed with natural granite benchtops and old-world handles to create a fresh, modern look that is still sympathetic to the style of a more traditional and older home. Your designer will have suggestions as to what they think will suit the style of your home, including what colours they think will work best in the space.
8. Choose your finishes and colours
The finishes that you choose for your cabinet fronts or doors and benchtops are the next most important thing to consider after the layout. This is where you can really put a modern or traditional twist in your kitchen design to work in with the style of your home and the look you would like to achieve.
You might consider contemporary-style flat fronts or traditional-style fronts with detailed profiles. The colour is also important and the choice today is endless, from various shades of white to multi-coloured woodgrain veneers and laminates. Likewise, there are lots of benchtop finishes to consider that will not only vary in price but will add a more modern or traditional twist to your kitchen, depending on your choice.
Either way, there are lots of options to choose from, so take the time to think about them all and narrow down your choices by process of elimination. Ask your designer to explain the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an educated decision. Discounting the finishes that you definitely don’t like will help you to arrive at a decision.
The finishes that you choose for your cabinet fronts or doors and benchtops are the next most important thing to consider after the layout. This is where you can really put a modern or traditional twist in your kitchen design to work in with the style of your home and the look you would like to achieve.
You might consider contemporary-style flat fronts or traditional-style fronts with detailed profiles. The colour is also important and the choice today is endless, from various shades of white to multi-coloured woodgrain veneers and laminates. Likewise, there are lots of benchtop finishes to consider that will not only vary in price but will add a more modern or traditional twist to your kitchen, depending on your choice.
Either way, there are lots of options to choose from, so take the time to think about them all and narrow down your choices by process of elimination. Ask your designer to explain the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an educated decision. Discounting the finishes that you definitely don’t like will help you to arrive at a decision.
9. Select finishing touches
There are many finishing touches you can add to your new kitchen to make a big impact and to enhance the design and style you have chosen. These include lighting, splashbacks, bar stools, handles and accessories.
Lighting and handles can often be overlooked in a kitchen but they are an important element and play a very big part in bringing your new kitchen to life. The type of handles you choose can help to accentuate the traditional style of your cabinet doors or emphasise the sleek, modern look of a contemporary-style kitchen. Similarly, no handles at all may be the perfect option if you want to achieve a minimalist-style kitchen.
Incorporate some task and ambient lighting into your kitchen at the design stage if possible so that your electrician can plan for it and reduce the possibility of any visible wiring.
Kitchen cabinet handle ideas
TELL US
What do you have planned for your kitchen renovation? Tell us all about it in the Comments.
MORE
8 Essential Kitchen Style Decisions to Tick Off at Design Stage
10 Kitchen Design Solutions You Didn’t Know Existed
Key Measurements to Consider When Designing the Perfect Kitchen Island
There are many finishing touches you can add to your new kitchen to make a big impact and to enhance the design and style you have chosen. These include lighting, splashbacks, bar stools, handles and accessories.
Lighting and handles can often be overlooked in a kitchen but they are an important element and play a very big part in bringing your new kitchen to life. The type of handles you choose can help to accentuate the traditional style of your cabinet doors or emphasise the sleek, modern look of a contemporary-style kitchen. Similarly, no handles at all may be the perfect option if you want to achieve a minimalist-style kitchen.
Incorporate some task and ambient lighting into your kitchen at the design stage if possible so that your electrician can plan for it and reduce the possibility of any visible wiring.
Kitchen cabinet handle ideas
TELL US
What do you have planned for your kitchen renovation? Tell us all about it in the Comments.
MORE
8 Essential Kitchen Style Decisions to Tick Off at Design Stage
10 Kitchen Design Solutions You Didn’t Know Existed
Key Measurements to Consider When Designing the Perfect Kitchen Island
Related Stories
Most Popular
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer
The right designer can bring your dream kitchen to life – three kitchen designers reveal where to look and what to ask
Full Story
Most Popular
Key Heights to Consider When Designing Your New Kitchen
By Anne Ellard
Create a user-friendly kitchen and avoid excessive stretching and bending with these design tips for recommended heights
Full Story
Storage
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Cabinet Maker
Custom joinery allows you to tailor a space to suit your needs – here's how to choose the right firm for the job
Full Story
Most Popular
Reno Insights: Don't Rush It! Why Kitchen Planning Takes so Long
Preparing to renovate can take up to four times as long as building, but it's crucial for a good result – here's why
Full Story
Kitchen Expert Advice
10 Times You Should Hire a Kitchen Designer
These specialists can solve layout issues, save costs, update an older space and create custom design details
Full Story
Most Popular
From Planning to Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Essentials
By Joanna Tovia
This valuable guide will give you all you need to know about choosing kitchen lighting for fabulous form and function
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Control the Cost of Your Renovation, Room by Room
Where to save, where to spend (and all the tricks in between) for keeping the cost of your renovation on track
Full Story
Kitchens
A Kitchen That Uses Special Elements to Punch Above Its Weight
This couple wanted a well-designed kitchen that incorporated their pre-bought furniture; this designer delivered
Full Story
Most Popular
Key Measurements to Consider When Designing the Perfect Kitchen Island
By Anne Ellard
Discover the correctly proportioned kitchen island bench dimensions so your space works as well as it can
Full Story
Most Popular
Shoestring Budget: Getting the Best Kitchen Cabinets for Less
It can be daunting choosing the right kitchen cabinets with limited funds, but these UK design experts' tips will help
Full Story
@atcomas - my kitchen is U shaped so, yes, there are joins in the benchtop but they are not obvious. The splashback is 3490mm and is just the one piece.
@Barbara - so long as you are happy with your design and it works for you nothing else matters. Did you go for the slightly lower benchtop? I remember that you were considering it.
We were going to have a gas cooktop but after talking with parents decided on induction, and we love it.
Step 6 - I believe our kitchen covers this well - pantry and fridge on one side with cooktop and oven opposite. No bumping into each other.
There are a couple of engineered stone brands that go to 3.2m if you need that little bit of extra length - Trendstone & Silestone are 2 of these.
Yes @kerrymichellemurphy is absolutely correct. Silestone do some longer slabs in some great colours. And if you have a really big space and are concerned about joins then a solid surface such as Corian or Staron would be worth taking a look at. Generally more expensive than engineered stone but the joins are invisible :o)