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A Primer for Planning Your Dream Kitchen
Q. Our kitchen is outdated and inefficient, and we’ve
decided to remodel. Where do we start?
A. Congratulations! Since we spend so much time in
our kitchens, it makes sense to create an efficient,
beautiful space that we can enjoy everyday. Even small
changes to a kitchen require a good deal of planning
and thought, so take your time and do your homework.
Your first step should be to create a design file.
Your file should include photos, clippings, brochures,
notes, lists, color swatches, anything related to the
project. Look through magazines and design books for
inspiration. Talk to your friends and family members
about things they like about their kitchens. Visit kitchen
showrooms to see what’s available and to get an
idea of how much things cost. Have a realistic budget
in mind as you plan.
Next, you’ll want to take a good, long look at
your existing kitchen. Write down your answers to the
following questions and put these notes in your design
file. What are your goals for this remodeling project?
Do you want more storage space? More counter space?
An eating area? New appliances? A bill-paying area?
Be specific. What bothers you about your existing kitchen?
Perhaps your kitchen doesn’t fit your lifestyle
because it is designed for only one cook. Perhaps your
food storage is inadequate and you’d like room
for a pantry. How long will you be living in your house?
If you will be moving in just a few years, you probably
will want to focus on cosmetic rather than structural
changes. How convenient is it to work in your kitchen?
When you open the dishwasher, does it interrupt the
traffic flow? Is there enough space to walk comfortably?
What kind of cook are you? Do you fix full-course meals
often or do you rely on convenience foods? What do you
like about your kitchen? Maybe it’s the stream
of sunlight through the window. Or the U-shaped layout.
Again, be specific.
After you’ve done this analysis, create a wish
list. Pretend that money is no object and make a list
of everything you would like to have in your new kitchen.
Perhaps it is a 42” built-in refrigerator and
granite countertops. Or pull-out shelves in the cabinets
and a warming drawer. Later, when you review this list,
you will prioritize and select those items that are
most important to you. This list will help you decide
where to splurge and where you can cut back.
You’ll want to spend some time really thinking
about what you want and why you want it. As you visit
the design centers and kitchen showrooms, you may become
overwhelmed at the unbelievable array of choices available
to you. In the beginning stages of planning your project,
go ahead and look at everything. It will be fun and
you’ll have lots of options to consider. As you
proceed, keeping in mind your design file and all of
your notes, it will be easier to narrow down your choices
and make decisions.
This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper
Group papers on August 7, 2004.
Go
back to the list of decorating columns.
All articles copyright 2003-2008 Anna
Jacoby.
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