Have you ever stepped foot into a kitchen and have just been confused by the layout? Drawers don’t open all the way. Cabinets that you can’t reach and deep shelving that make it easy to forget what’s behind things. These are all common issues that you may come across when looking at cookie-cutter homes on the market. However, if you are taking the step to build your own custom home, you get the opportunity to design your kitchen the way you want! Take these factors into consideration when designing your space to prevent common issues from occurring!
Your Preferences
Before you start designing the way you want your kitchen to look, it is important to write down your preferences and the things you want to add. This way you don’t get too far in the design process and forget to add key elements like a pot filler over the stove! Because there is so much to think of, take these into consideration:
- Space: How big do you want your kitchen? Is this a space for just two people to work in? Or do you want the space large enough to fit your whole family? Knowing how big you want your kitchen to be will help you decide what you can and can’t add.
- Function: How often are you in the kitchen? Is this space for quick and easy dinners, or are you cheffing it up to make a full-course meal every night? If you know that you are not in your kitchen that often, you might not need a large kitchen, and vice versa.
- Organization: How do you want to store everything? Are you a drawer or cabinet person? Or do you want a little bit of both? Finding your ideal way to store your cutlery, pots, pans, and utensils will allow you to plan according to your preferences.
- Pantry: Do we want a walk-in pantry or a simple one that is easily accessible when cooking? Your pantry can be used to store not only your dry food but also to store your smaller appliances that you don’t use as often, like a blender, mixer, or instant pot, so make sure to take this into consideration.
- Aesthetic: Open concept? Closed off? Color? All white? Knowing the aesthetic, you are going for will allow you to choose what you will need to achieve this look. Not knowing what you want to end up with can lead to a mismatch of themes that will not be cohesive in the end.
There is no right or wrong way to design your kitchen. At the end of the day, you are designing something that you will have in your home, not someone else’s. That is why it is important to make decisions based on what you want instead of what someone else wants.
The Blueprint
Once you have decided what key factors you want to add to your kitchen, it is time to start planning the blueprint. At this point, you will want to work closely with your builder to ensure that you are on the same page. From backsplash colors to cabinet choice, being on the same page will decrease the chance of mistakes, allowing you to save money and time.
When planning your kitchen, make sure to consider the recommendations that your builder may suggest. They will have a lot more experience and knowledge that can help you achieve your goals. Together, you will be able to create a space that you will love.
Appliances
Don’t forget about your appliances! They can be easily overlooked, making it a last-minute decision. However, appliances such as your fridge, microwave, and dishwasher take up a lot of space in your kitchen, and if they don’t fit your needs or aesthetic, they can affect the way your kitchen looks and functions. A few decades ago, you might’ve only had a few choices, but fast-forward to today, and there are so many options that it can become overwhelming. Make sure to give yourself optimal time to decide which one will work best for you.
Making it Reality
Don’t choose a cookie-cutter kitchen that is boring and lacks character. Design your dream kitchen and make it a reality with Hepler Homes. As a custom home builder in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, Hepler Homes has had the opportunity to create over 300+ beautiful homes that the community has grown to love.