How to plan your dream kitchen like a pro

Creating the perfect kitchen, the heart of the home, can be an overwhelming challenge, but plan it right and you could achieve the kitchen of your dreams. Darren James, the Kitchen & Bathroom Designers Institute (KBDi) kitchen designer of the year, says the more planning you do, the smoother the process will be. Here are a few simple steps to help you plan your kitchen like a pro.

Choose a style

Buy magazines, jump online and research the latest in kitchen styles. James says this is the time to think big and consider what you like, need and want.

“Don’t flood yourself with design options but just grab enough information about the different styles of kitchens available,” he says.

Organise appliances

Once you have a few style options selected, focus on the tools of the kitchen: the appliances. The type and number of appliances will impact on kitchen space, aesthetic appeal and functionality. So plan how, and how often, each appliance in your new kitchen will be used and the space it will require. Then integrate its presence and purpose in your design.

“You don’t need to buy all of your appliances in advance but you should educate yourself on how the appliances you will use in your future kitchen actually work. Talk to retailers and manufacturers, and ask them as many questions as possible.”

Plan your kitchen activities

Considering ‘how’ and ‘who’ will use your kitchen will help define its layout. Answer the following:

• What other activities is the kitchen used for (kids doing their homework, laundry)?
• How often do you cook?
• How many people use the kitchen at once?
• Do you like to entertain and need a lot of bench space near the cooktop?
• How many people sit in the kitchen at once?

Budget

Work out a budget range and choose a priority expenditure goal.

“Do you want your kitchen to be really durable, aesthetically beautiful, hygienic or low maintenance?” James asks.

“If it is your forever home, spend that little bit extra on quality materials, like drawer runners and hinges, as you want it to last and stand the test of time.

“If you are going to be selling in a few years, and if you are in a certain real estate market, budget to design your kitchen at that level. Otherwise, pull back on cost. Get good quality finishings but stop at that.”

James also recommends putting an extra 10–20 per cent aside to pay for unexpected emergencies or hidden charges.

A temporary alternative

A typical kitchen renovation can take anywhere from four to 10 weeks to complete, depending on the scope of the works. Create a cooking back-up plan that suits your lifestyle or perhaps consider alternative accommodation for the duration of the build.

Select a contractor

Finally, decide who will develop your ideas and create your new kitchen. If you want to complete the build yourself, keep the project simple. Otherwise you could contract a cabinet-maker to build your design. But, James explains, be aware that the quotation might be ‘construction-only’ and not include the necessary trades, like electrical and tiling. To get a true estimate of the project, enquire about other trade work involved and commission accordingly.

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“The kitchen plays such an important part in a house as it is the heart of the home,” James says. “So take the planning process seriously. If you do, you won’t be unhappy.”

Image credit: Interiors by Darren James