The Kitchen Design Process
If you have decided to remodel your kitchen, you may be wondering what the steps in the design process are. It’s actually more complicated than you might have imagined.
The first step is to meet with your selected designer. This may occur in their showrooms or your home. You will discuss your needs and how you use your kitchen. For example, do you like to cook intricate gourmet meals that require lots of prep space? Or do you just use your kitchen for small, family meals? These things make a difference when it comes to designing a kitchen space that works for you. You will discuss your decorating tastes and your budget limitations for the project at this time. Your designer will also take measurements of your kitchen space.
Depending on the project, you may make some initial design choices in this meeting, such as your choice of wood grain for your cabinets and countertop materials. It is a good idea to have some examples of what you like for your designer to see. You can find pictures on the internet or in home décor magazines. Include anything you think you might want in your kitchen. Your designer can tell you whether or not it is feasible.
After this initial meeting, your designer will begin working on the layout of your kitchen. For larger projects, this could take several weeks. When their plans are complete, you will meet again to discuss them. At this meeting, any final changes to the design will be discussed, and you will be given an estimate for the cost of the work.
If you decide to move forward with the project, you will have some choices to make. Besides your cabinets and countertops, you will have to select appliances, sinks and faucets, floor coverings, backsplash materials, and hardware such as cabinet pulls. After all these choices are made, the final budget and contract will be prepared. Normally, you will have to pay a deposit (the amount will depend on your designer), and your materials will be ordered.
Once your materials arrive, it is time to begin the actual process of remodeling. Though you won’t be instaling cabinets or laying floor yourself, there is still some work for you to do. You will have to clear out the kitchen so the contractor can do his or her work. You will probably be given a list of what you will need to remove.
On the first day of the project, your contractor will review the contract and the design with you to make sure you are satisfied. Then the work begins. During the process of remodeling, your contractor will meet with you regularly to update you on the project’s progress and discuss any unexpected issues with you.
It sounds daunting, but having a newly remodeled kitchen that meets your needs and looks great is worth the effort. If you choose the right kitchen designer and contractor, they can help you get through the process with ease.
The first step is to meet with your selected designer. This may occur in their showrooms or your home. You will discuss your needs and how you use your kitchen. For example, do you like to cook intricate gourmet meals that require lots of prep space? Or do you just use your kitchen for small, family meals? These things make a difference when it comes to designing a kitchen space that works for you. You will discuss your decorating tastes and your budget limitations for the project at this time. Your designer will also take measurements of your kitchen space.
Depending on the project, you may make some initial design choices in this meeting, such as your choice of wood grain for your cabinets and countertop materials. It is a good idea to have some examples of what you like for your designer to see. You can find pictures on the internet or in home décor magazines. Include anything you think you might want in your kitchen. Your designer can tell you whether or not it is feasible.
After this initial meeting, your designer will begin working on the layout of your kitchen. For larger projects, this could take several weeks. When their plans are complete, you will meet again to discuss them. At this meeting, any final changes to the design will be discussed, and you will be given an estimate for the cost of the work.
If you decide to move forward with the project, you will have some choices to make. Besides your cabinets and countertops, you will have to select appliances, sinks and faucets, floor coverings, backsplash materials, and hardware such as cabinet pulls. After all these choices are made, the final budget and contract will be prepared. Normally, you will have to pay a deposit (the amount will depend on your designer), and your materials will be ordered.
Once your materials arrive, it is time to begin the actual process of remodeling. Though you won’t be instaling cabinets or laying floor yourself, there is still some work for you to do. You will have to clear out the kitchen so the contractor can do his or her work. You will probably be given a list of what you will need to remove.
On the first day of the project, your contractor will review the contract and the design with you to make sure you are satisfied. Then the work begins. During the process of remodeling, your contractor will meet with you regularly to update you on the project’s progress and discuss any unexpected issues with you.
It sounds daunting, but having a newly remodeled kitchen that meets your needs and looks great is worth the effort. If you choose the right kitchen designer and contractor, they can help you get through the process with ease.