Designing own kitchen: How to plan a kitchen – 10 steps to creating your dream space

How to plan a kitchen – 10 steps to creating your dream space

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Perfecting your kitchen design is a big and exciting job. You get to make all mood boards, order all the paint samples, subscribe to all the magazines, all in the name of research, but there’s no denying that it can get a little stressful if you aren’t really sure what you are doing. 

Whatever your remodeling plans may be, we are here to help you when it comes to how to design a kitchen like a professional. Whatever your budget, and whatever your style, our ten steps will have the process as easy as possible.  

In this feature, we take you through all the stages, from kitchen planning and finding your ideal kitchen design style, to choosing the best cabinetry, kitchen flooring and more. So, if your current kitchen is outdated and needs a drastic makeover, or if you have a blank canvas to design your new kitchen from scratch, read on for all the kitchen planning advice, design ideas and more that you need.

Looking for more kitchen decor rather than practical advice? Go to our kitchen ideas page next for heaps of inspiration. 

Choosing a kitchen designer, architect or builder is a big part of the process, which is why we’ve put together specialist guides aiming to help you find the best professional for your project. Do take a look, and if you want budgeting advice and information on how much a new kitchen costs we can help too.

How to plan a kitchen in 10 steps

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

Kitchens used to be hidden-away workspaces, but today they’re rooms in which we spend huge amounts of time. Not only do they need to offer the preparation and cooking facilities that suit all the home’s occupants, but they must also be stylish space we want to enjoy being in.

Often, they’re a zone in an open-plan kitchen diner and living space, so the kitchen’s decor must work harmoniously with dining and relaxing areas as well.

Proper kitchen planning is key if you want a successful kitchen design that fulfills all your expectations, and these ten steps will get you there, whether you’re doing it alone or have called in the help of an expert.

(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)

Analyzing what you currently have in your existing kitchen versus what you need and want from your new kitchen design is key. Often, it’s best to do this yourself before you go to a kitchen planner or kitchen designer, using what works in your kitchen now – and changing what really doesn’t. This process will also allow you to get creative, to realize if anything can be reused or recycled. 

Think about your kitchen cabinets, do you want a kitchen island? Does a living area need to be incorporated? Even go into what style of sink you might want and how many appliances you need to fit in.  

(Image credit: Farrow and Ball )

When considering different kitchen design and layout ideas, think about the following to gain a clearer picture:

• How do you use a kitchen? The kitchen layout should be designed to perfectly fit your lifestyle. 
• Is it an open-plan space? Focus on the layout of the working part of the kitchen first, but also on its relationship with a dining table, if there is one, or – in an open plan kitchen-living-diner – the other zones. 
• Don’t forget the working triangle. To plan the preparation and cooking space, use the design concept of the working triangle of the kitchen. The three points are the fridge, sink and hob with imaginary lines between these forming the triangle shape. The three points should be near enough to each other to make meal preparation efficient but each workstation shouldn’t feel restrictive. 
• What will work best with your kitchen’s shape? Think of the triangle imposed on the possible layouts a kitchen can take. These are galley kitchens, U-shaped kitchens, L-shaped kitchens, curved kitchens, and open plan kitchens. Keep scrolling down the page to the section that best suits your kitchen shape.

3. Draw up a detailed kitchen floorplan

(Image credit: CRL Stone)

With your list done, you can begin to work up a floorplan. When you design a kitchen, it’s important to understand the space you’re working with. Ask a kitchen company, an architect or architectural technologist – or use graph paper and do it yourself – to carefully make scale drawings of your kitchen’s floorplan. 

Marking up a floorplan. Mark the exact location (to scale) of internal and external doors and windows, so you have the best flow possible between your kitchen, outside space and the rest of your house. You’ll need to factor zones into your plan if you’re designing an open plan kitchen too for example.

Plotting in the cabinetry and appliances. Best way to do this? With little paper cut-outs of to-scale appliances and cabinets. Failing that, use a pencil and have an eraser to hand. Once you see exactly how much room you have to work with, you can start planning how to make the most of it. It will also give you a clear idea of how much you want to spend before beginning the design process proper, ensuring you end up with a scheme you can afford – and helping you reduce excess costs early in the process if your plans don’t match your budget.

We have plenty of guidance for planning a small kitchen design or creating a family kitchen too, if you want tips on creating a successfully cohesive, well-laid out room.

(Image credit: Remedy Design)

Once you’ve considered the starting points above, you can really start to gather your kitchen inspiration to have the end result in sight. 

Finding a style to suit the practicalities of your kitchen design is vital, think about the following:

Do you want it to compliment the style or period of your home or contrast it? To match the decor of your other rooms, or to stand out? What style of units do you want to go for? How will you use color or bring texture into the room with materials? 

All of these elements should be considered before any work takes place. Once you have a look in mind, you can start to put your kitchen planning into practice.

Below, are some kitchen design ideas – modern, traditional and freestanding (use these links to jump straight down to them) – to inspire you and to help you envisage how your new kitchen could look.

(Image credit: James French)

Contemporary kitchens can work in modern or period homes, but they do look most at home in light-filled, simple spaces. Think elegant, minimalist cabinetry, carefully selected color simple schemes and perhaps a few feature pieces in there too. 

You’ll see that modern kitchens often have fitted storage and built-in appliances to keep that minimalist look. If you want to design a kitchen that is clutter-free, a modern kitchen is the best kitchen design for you. 

See modern kitchens in our design gallery for tons of inspiration. 

See luxury kitchens with a contemporary edge in our kitchen design gallery – you needn’t have a big budget to mimic these looks.

Traditional kitchens: choose formal, rustic or country for a period feel

(Image credit: Kasia Fiszer)

Traditional kitchens fit perfectly if you live in a period home with traditional features and lovely quirks – but can also really suit modern homes in need of a touch of character. There are plenty of kitchen styles that come underneath the umbrella of ‘traditional’ so you can find a style to suit your tastes. 

See Shaker kitchens in our kitchen design ideas gallery if you want a classic, traditional kitchen that never dates. This kitchen design suits all styles of settings, from modern kitchen extensions to rustic country cottages. Unlike some traditional kitchens, the Shaker style is simple and uncomplicated, with no elaborate moldings or fussy decorations – a perfect blank canvas to add your own personality.

If you are designing a kitchen and want a more traditional look, see more country kitchens and farmhouse kitchens in our design ideas galleries for rustic inspiration. Country kitchens include painted designs, while farmhouse kitchens are more ruggedly rustic. 

See vintage kitchens for inspiration for creating a kitchen design that’s more about homespun charm. These highlight the original features of your home, like beams or original tiles, and are the perfect kitchen design if you want a space with loads of personality and coziness. 

Freestanding kitchens: flexible furniture for all types of home

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

Freestanding kitchens will work in modern or period homes, and are less about that new, built-in kitchen look and more about mixing and matching one-off pieces to create a one-off kitchen design. 

This kind of kitchen design takes more thought because it’s not as straightforward as just choosing a fitted kitchen. Instead, you will need to design your own kitchen completely and decide on various routes:

• Get the bones of the kitchen sorted by buying the key parts like cabinets and the worktops from a company that specializes in made-to-measure pieces (more expensive) or one that makes fitted kitchen furniture with a freestanding look (more affordable!).
• Spend time finding pieces that will work together and fit in your space (this is very time-consuming and sometimes fruitless).
• A combination of the two routes above: get the main elements from a kitchen company or designer and then source one-off pieces to give it that unique feel.

Either way, when designing your kitchen, we recommend making a list of your freestanding essentials (cabinets, dressers, kitchen islands, etc), take measurements, keep them to hand and then talk to both kitchen designers and joiners, but also to keep your eye out for suitable pieces on online markets, vintage stores and even charity shops. 

See freestanding kitchens in our design gallery to get inspiration and more advice for your scheme. 

(Image credit: Meir Australia )

Once you know the look you want, you can start selecting kitchen units, finishes and the likes. This will mostly come down to your budget, but we will say investing in the best quality kitchen you can afford will add value to your home. And, it goes without saying that the better quality materials you choose, the longer your kitchen may last. 

These materials lend themselves more to a traditional kitchen design:

Hardwood is the best and most hard-wearing material you can choose for your kitchen cabinets. 

Plywood is also a good choice and often slightly cheaper than a solid wood kitchen. 

If you want a sleek modern kitchen design: 

Fibreboard cabinets: they are usually inexpensive but are long-lasting and give you that totally smooth surface for a chic, minimalist look.

Which materials to avoid? 

Cabinets and cabinet doors that have a wood veneer tend not to last very long as the veneer layer can peel and chip. The same goes for particleboard. However, both these materials are budget-friendly so if you are trying to keep your cost at a minimum they might work for you.  

For more tips on how to choose kitchen cabinets head to our guide for loads of practical advice and inspiring ideas. 

6. Choose the best colour scheme for kitchen cabinets

(Image credit: Floors of Stone)

Colour is perhaps as important as the style of cupboards you choose as it will be the first thing anyone notices about your kitchen. 

The most popular color choice for a kitchen is white, closely followed by cream, off-white and pale grey, and this is a good option if you want your kitchen to be a backdrop for you to add your own color and personality in decor while retaining a classic kitchen design that won’t date, is easy to redecorate around in future, and which won’t put off future house-buyers. 

A white or pale-colored kitchen design also allows you more options when it comes to choosing decor – from kitchen tiles to kitchen flooring – as you can be bolder in your choices there.  See white kitchen design ideas in our design gallery. 

Grey kitchens are also very on-trend and work with both traditional and contemporary kitchens. See grey kitchens in our design gallery. 

See dark kitchens – another massive trend at the moment – in our design ideas gallery, too. 

If you’re feeling brave or just love color, just check out our kitchen color scheme feature to get inspired. 

7. Select the best kitchen worktops

(Image credit: B&Q)

Kitchen worktops need to work with your budget as well as tastes. Laminate, at the budget end of the market, can take on the appearance of other materials and is easy to look after. Opt for the best quality you can. Wood looks warm and is pleasing to touch, but does need regular care. Natural stone can look spectacular and each piece has a unique appearance. It should be sealed. Man-made composites are hard-wearing and easy to look after. 

Don’t rule out more unusual materials, though. Stainless steel will create a professional look; concrete and concrete-look quartz can look beautiful and colored as well as the expected shade; and glass is eye-catching as a work-surface.

If you’re not sure which kitchen worktop will work best with your new space, our guide to the best kitchen worktops talks you through the options in-depth, providing practical advice and design inspiration. 

8. Choose the best kitchen wall tiles and flooring

(Image credit: Kitchen Makers)

What you put on the kitchen walls is vital in a busy working space. And, it’s a wise move to choose tiles around working areas. For all the know-how on choosing the best kitchen tiles, head over to our dedicated feature.

While kitchen flooring equally, has to be hard wearing to deal with splashes and high condensation. Find out more information on how to choose the best flooring for kitchens in our specialist feature; options include the following:

Tiles

Ceramic, porcelain or real stone are all possible for a kitchen. Take care requirements into consideration as well as costs. Explore your options in our guide to choosing floor tiles.

(Image credit: Nest)

Wood

Solid wood is not generally recommended for kitchens because of the moisture in the room. Instead, we’d recommend opting for engineered wood, which has the appearance of real wood, but is designed to be stable in the conditions.

Find out how to choose the best engineered wood in our specialist guide.

(Image credit: Quickstep)

Laminate

If you love the look of wood – or tiles – laminate is a budget-friendly option that convincingly mimics the look of real materials. It’s always recommended to buy the best quality laminate you can for your budget, as the cheaper options can look a little shiny.

You’ll find plenty of inspiration, as well as more information on how to choose the best laminate flooring, in our guide.

(Image credit: Carpetright)

Vinyl

A budget-friendly option, vinyl not only mimics natural materials, but is also renowned for its durability, scratch resistance and easiness to clean. 

Find out more in our guide to choosing vinyl flooring. 

(Image credit: Amtico)

Rubber

You might also consider rubber if you’re on the look out for flexible and contemporary flooring. Durable, hygienic and comfortable to walk on, it’s becoming an increasingly popular option for kitchens.

As you might have guessed, we’ve got all the information you need when choosing rubber flooring, too. 

(Image credit: Carpetright)

Concrete

Stylish, with a distinctly contemporary feel, resin and concrete flooring are fast becoming the flooring of choice for contemporary homes.  

Perfect for kitchen floors and well-prepped bathroom floors, concrete and resin are durable and resistant to spills, dirt and stains, making them a practical material, too.

Find more tips on how to choose the best resin and concrete flooring in our specialist guide.

(Image credit: Fiona Walker Arnott)

(Image credit: Shutterly Fabulous)

Factor kitchen lighting in early if you’re determined to successfully design a kitchen. Ambient, task and accent lighting should all have their place in a kitchen lighting scheme whether it’s in a separate room or part of an open-plan area.

Ambient light for a kitchen needs to be good enough for working with sharp knives and hot dishes. Ceiling spotlights can be supplemented with wall lights. Task lighting should illuminate work surfaces, cooker and sink area. It includes under-unit lights and directional ceiling spotlights. Accent lighting can include pendants for islands or a dining table, and LEDs beneath units that make them appear to float. Consider, too, lighting cabinet interiors to show off beautiful tableware placed on glass shelves. Make sure you plan in separate lighting circuits to operate the different types of light individually.

For more on how to plan kitchen lighting, check out our kitchen lighting ideas page.

10. Settle on kitchen window dressings

(Image credit: The Shutter Store)

All kitchen window treatments stand up to the room’s moisture, be unaffected by splashes if they’re near the sink, and should be easy to clean. Explore our kitchen window treatment ideas to find the solution that works best for your kitchen design. Remember to consider the following:

• Shutters work on both windows and French doors in a kitchen extension for a consistent look – browse our guide for tips on how to choose window shutters.
• Kitchen blinds are practical and offer kitchen specific designs – find examples in our kitchen blind ideas.
• For privacy and an option that doesn’t take up space on the windowsill, window films are worth a thought. We have plenty of wonderful window film ideas, too.  

Does your new kitchen need planning permission?

If you’re planning to make internal structural changes to your kitchen, you won’t usually need planning permission, as this is covered by permitted development.

The majority of single-story extensions are also covered by permitted development; however, certain exclusions and criteria apply, so always check with your local authority’s planning department before starting work.

Even if you don’t need planning permission, it may be worth applying to your local planning authority for a lawful development certificate, which proves that the work is lawful, and can be useful when you come to sell. If you are planning structural changes, make sure you use the services of an approved structural engineer – The Institute of Structural Engineers is a great place to source reputable people. 

Read more about planning permission and permitted development in our specialist guides.  

Who can fit a kitchen?

Many kitchen companies offer an installation service, although you can fit a kitchen yourself (our guide offers step-by-step instructions) if you’re looking to cut the cost of your new kitchen.

If you do choose this option, your extractor and cooker will need to be installed by an accredited electrician, and you may need a plumber to fit your sink and water-based appliances. Due to the cost of most worktops, it’s always best to ask a professional to fit these for you – mistakes can prove expensive.

Alternatively, if you’re working with a kitchen designer, they may take charge of the entire project. 

If you’re planning on carrying out any structural work, you might need to find a reliable builder, joiner, plumber, electrician and decorator.

For each of the different trades, you should get at least three detailed written quotes – use our guide to find out how to compare quotes from tradespeople if you’re looking for more information.  

That said, recommendations are always the best way to find people to work with, so ask friends and family before searching online.

Bear in mind that the cheapest quote may not be the best if it does not meet all your requirements, and you need to feel comfortable with the people you choose to work with.

How much does a new kitchen cost?

It’s easy to get carried away in the design process and think about budget last, but it should be on your mind at all times will planning. Set a budget and stick to it. 

The cost of a new kitchen will of course depending on the size of your kitchen and the quality of everything you choose but according to Homeadvisor, homeowners spent an average of $25,440 or $150 per square foot. However, prices can increase quickly from there if you choose to add high-end features like custom cabinetry, natural stone countertops, or luxury appliances so be sure to include all of those expenses in your planning.

For more advice on how much does a kitchen cost check out our full feature. 

Kitchen planning apps are a new and very handy addition to the world of kitchen design, we have tested out a few and really rate them. They make the idea of planning a kitchen way less daunting and frankly more exciting. 

The Ikea kitchen planner is an oldie but goldie, it’s more of a software for your computer than an app but if you are planning on buying an Ikea kitchen (or an Ikea carcass you are going to get new doors made for) it’s the first place you need to start. 

Space Designer 3D is online, so no need to download anything and is great for planning a layout and seeing how different configurations will work in your home. You do have to pay for it, but you can play around with it for free and it can help you come up with the perfect floorplan. 

Planner 5Dis a free app that again is great for floorplans. Create your kitchen in miniature and play about with the design and configuration. You can flip between 2D and 3D too plus you can use the snapshot feature to ‘take pictures’ of your creation which we found ideal for adding to mood boards.

How to Design a Kitchen That Really Works for You in 5 Simple Steps

Though watching home renovation shows depicting near-instant transformations is certainly satisfying to a degree, figuring out how to actually design a kitchen yourself is another story. Renovation shows regularly feature homeowners bemoaning their shadowy lighting, lack of kitchen storage, dated cabinets, and inadequate work surfaces. The urge to redesign is infectious. By the time you pull the trigger on your own remodel, you’ve cataloged all your “before” kitchen’s sins, down to the last inch of dead space, and are itching for the “after.”

As much as we might like for a kitchen renovation to complete itself with a snap of the fingers, remodels are bound to take some time even if you’re working with the best of contractors and are totally in tune with your own wants and needs for the space. With all the time and money that goes into a kitchen remodel process, it’s important that you do your best to consider every last detail before you decommission that old oven and kick that white fridge to the curb. 

To help you create your dream kitchen, we’ve consulted five consummate pros for only the tip-top advice: Los Angeles–based designer Melanie Burstin, Boston area AD PRO Directory designer Cecilia Casagrande of Casagrande Studio, AD PRO Directory designer Jenn Feldman of the LA–based Jenn Feldman Designs, Velinda Hellen of global design group Velinda Hellen Design, and DIY renovation obsessive Daniel Kanter of Kingston, NY, all offer their expertise to AD. 

Rule #1: Decide on your kitchen must-haves

In a space that’s so utility-driven, it can be difficult to open your mind and figure out how to put your own spin on the interior design while still accounting for everything you truly need. Whether you want a modern kitchen, a more traditional space, or you’re not even sure on the type of kitchen you want, deciding on your must-haves first will help you approach your layout, budget, and wide world of aesthetic choices.   

Look at reference images 

Whether you browse on Pinterest and Instagram or flip through the pages of magazines and coffee-table books, finding images of kitchens that you’re attracted to is the easiest way of figuring out how you should style your own space. Visuals can be a useful for making more informed stylistic choices like cupboard colors and countertop materials, too, but you’re also likely to discover more technical nuts and bolts inspiration. 

Think about your lifestyle

Ultimately, the perfect kitchen is personal. A room that functions as a family hub for meals and homework, for example, will look very different from that of a young single city dweller who barely cooks. For that reason, Daniel starts all his projects by listening and learning about clients’ needs and belongings. “I take inventory of everything they own to make sure there’s a place for everything, which also reveals cooking habits. If someone feels strongly about having an extra-large prep space for rolling out dough or tons of cabinetry for serveware and you don’t give it to them, then it’s not a successful design. ”

A banquet is a perfect addition to a kitchen if you spend time socializing in the space. Need convincing of the wonders they can accomplish? Look no further than this gorgeous corner of a kitchen by AD Pro Directory member Casagrande Studio.

Photo: Jared Kuzia; Courtesy of Casagrande Studio 

Reconsider your givens

Just because plenty of other people have lengthy kitchen islands and wine fridges, a second sink or an extra-large butcher block cutting board, doesn’t mean you have to devote space to those accoutrements in your own kitchen. “Sometimes clients will just assume that they need a microwave and I’d suggest not even bothering with a microwave anymore,” Cecilia explains. “If I really dig deep with clients and ask them what they’re using their microwave for, [they typically barely use it.] I had one client tell me they’re only using their microwave to warm up their coffee. We don’t need a giant machine taking up a [lot] of space either on the counter or with a microwave drawer when all you’re doing is heating up coffee. ” Getting real about what you really need early on in the kitchen design process is only going to help in the long run. 

Make a list and pick your priorities

Once you’ve completed this process of interior design soul-searching, sit down and write out a list of all your must-haves. Whether you’ve been saving forever and have a mega-budget to play with or are pinching pennies, this exercise will help with getting your priorities in order. Care most about the sturdiness of your kitchen cabinets? Note that on your list. Prefer to have the best of the best kitchen appliances? Mark that down and use the list as your North Star throughout the journey—you’ll thank yourself later when you get tempted by all those fun backsplashes that easily drive up costs. 

Rule #2: Figure out your layout

It’s tempting to jump right into paint colors and fun finishes, but start with the nitty-gritty instead: a good kitchen layout. Professional designers and contractors will do this heavy lifting for you, all while keeping design rules, scale/proportion, and building codes in mind. They delineate work zones, strategically place appliances, plan for adequate storage, and ensure there’s enough room to comfortably move around. No plans to hire a designer? Get ready to measure, sketch out floor plans, and tweak your own design. Find a good space-planning app or online kitchen planner to make your life easier, or work with a cabinet company that provides detailed renderings.

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This Casagrande Studio kitchen has plenty of work space. 

Photo: Jared Kuzia; Courtesy of Casagrande Studio

Use the work triangle

Melanie usually starts with the solid work triangle long held as the gold standard of kitchen design. It comprises the room’s heaviest hitters—the sink, refrigerator, and stove—ideally spaced to allow the cook to move efficiently through food prep, cooking, and cleaning. Melanie cuts and pastes various room elements into kitchen design software, then shifts everything around until she gets it right. “It’s important to visualize how you are going to really use the space, and seeing the kitchen from an overhead view is the easiest way to map it all out.”

U- and L-shaped kitchens are arguably the most common layouts these days, although single-wall and galley kitchens pop up frequently in smaller spaces. Plenty of kitchen layout ideas incorporate a distinct dining area, though smaller spaces tend to need all the square footage they can squeeze for food prep. Each configuration has its own pros and cons. If you can fit one in, a kitchen island opens up a whole new world of storage, seating, and counter space.

Be open to change

Of course, wish lists are just that, and the course of true kitchen love rarely runs so smooth. Unless you are building from scratch, expect your space to throw up lots of roadblocks and hurdles. Size restrictions and quirky structural features—not to mention budget—will all influence a kitchen’s final form. The trick is finding clever solutions to address pain points and make the most of what you’ve got.

An island provides plenty of storage in this kitchen designed by AD PRO Directory–listed Jenn Feldman Designs.

Photo: Amy Bartlam; Courtesy of Jenn Feldman Designs

Rule #3: Think Storage

In a grand kitchen, the question of storage may be more about how exactly to organize your belongings than about squeezing everything in, as is the case in a small kitchen design. Regardless, there are a number of elements to think about at this stage in the kitchen planning process that can make things easier when you’re figuring out where exactly to put that waffle iron. 

Don’t skimp on cabinetry

Both Velinda and Melanie credit cabinetmakers as the unsung heroes of kitchen design. Melanie says, “Cabinet teams have years of experience in all of the work-arounds. I like to present my idea and see if they can make it work”—like figuring out how to fill six useless inches of space on a short wall next to a range. After brainstorming during a recent remodel, a narrow pullout spice rack became the answer.

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A few extra drawers were included on the countertop side of this island in a kitchen by Jenn Feldman Designs. 

Photo: Amy Bartlam; Courtesy of Jenn Feldman Designs

Never forget the butlers pantry

These “make it work” moments might defy standard kitchen practices or current trends, but it’s your space. Daniel chose to hide his enormous fridge in an adjacent butlers pantry rather than the kitchen itself (take that, work triangle!)—a setup some people might balk at, but one that suits him. Although he has to walk a little farther to retrieve items, the appliance—which Daniel says “is nothing special to look at”—is tucked out of sight, which works better for the old house’s vibe. Daniel is happy with his choice.

Don’t feel stifled by a small space

Velinda recently carved a full kitchen out of just 49 square feet in her Los Angeles bungalow’s basement apartment with extremely low ceilings. Her challenge was finding a way to fit everything into that tiny footprint. She landed on a mini L-shaped design that’s jam-packed with space-saving solutions, including a small-scale 5-in-1 oven. In another particularly crafty move, she rotated a rectangular full-size kitchen sink 90 degrees to take full advantage of the counter’s depth, freeing up additional workspace on either side.

“If you know you really need more counter space, you’ve got to think about what decisions and investments to make. Like making a cutting board that goes over the stove in a small apartment really gives value to somebody who likes preparation more than they need to put soup on a burner,” Jenn advises. “I think the rules are meant to be owner specific and you should not be guided by what a normal layout would denote or what somebody thinks should be based on how a kitchen is built if it’s something you’re renting.”

Rule #4: Decide on surfaces 

Choose countertop materials wisely

Different countertop materials provide different levels of utility, durability, and cost effectiveness. You could choose marble for its beauty and resistance to heat, though it is porous. You could go for butcher block for its utility, but it does require regular oiling. Stainless steel is a choice many professional chefs go for, but it does create a rather industrial-leaning vibe in the space. There are plenty of options, so be sure to take maintenance, durability, and appearance into account before settling on one material.

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“As I’ve gotten more seasoned [I’ve realized] nothing replaces good, beautiful stone,” Jenn says in an email. “Nobody ever calls 10 years later and says that they’re just so sad they invested in the beauty of stone. With good maintenance, taking care of things, it’s never a problem.”

Consider your flooring

Your kitchen floor can do a lot to determine your kitchen style, but it needs to be practical too. While hardwood flooring and tiles are both wonderful options, it should be noted that tile floors are undeniably easier to maintain in a kitchen. No matter what you choose for your flooring, be sure to choose a color or shade that suits the cabinet and countertop finishes.  

While some fear putting rugs in the kitchen, Cecilia implores homeowners to give them a shot. “Don’t be afraid to put a rug in the kitchen. Especially with something vintage, it’s already old. It’s okay if it gets a stain, it’s old already.” There’s no doubt they’ll make all that meal prep more comfortable on your feet. 

This Casagrande Studio kitchen was designed to showcase the homeowner’s collection of vintage rugs from Turkey and Afghanistan. 

Photo: Jared Kuzia; Courtesy of Casagrande Studio 

Consider softening it up 

Tiled floors, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances—the kitchen is defined by hard surfaces. Anything you can do to soften it up (like a carpet, as we mentioned above) will go a long way to make your kitchen feel more comfortable and welcoming. Throw pillows on a banquet, deep cushions on counter stools, and thoughtfully chosen window treatments can help create an environment that feels less industrial.  

Rule #5: Don’t forget the details

A lot goes into a kitchen remodel beyond appliances, cabinetry, and countertops. The small details make a major difference in the look and feel of a kitchen—be sure to consider these aspects just as carefully. 

Consider your natural light sources

If you’re lucky enough to have windows in your kitchen, put them to work in your kitchen layout! More than a few celebrities have gushed about how much they love having a window above their kitchen sink—Big Sean even went so far as to remove one of the structural beams of his Beverly Hills home in order to place a window above his sink. “[It] was one of the structural beams of the house that you can’t mess with and I ended up messing with it.” He explains in the Open Door tour of his home. “We ended up figuring it out, the window’s here, and it’s worth it. You know, it’s a big, big picture window.” Though we don’t know that we’d encourage all kitchen renovators to proceed down the same path, prioritizing natural light is a must if you can manage it.  

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This kitchen by AD PRO Directory member Jenn Feldman Designs features pendant lights and counter stools that call out to the tones of the kitchen’s hardware.   

Photo: Amy Bartlam; Courtesy of Jenn Feldman Designs

Pick your artificial light sources

“Lighting is everything in the kitchen and you want it at all levels, pendants hanging down, wall sconces, and of course under-cabinet lighting,” Cecilia states. “A pendant light over the island, one big statement light, is heavenly, beautiful. It really draws you into the room and and also does what I love doing, which is making the kitchen more like a living space and not just a workspace.”

Remember the backsplash

Depending on the size and layout of your kitchen, the backsplash can play a variety of roles. Regardless, though, the backsplash provides an opportunity to bring additional personality into your kitchen. If you have a U-shaped kitchen, a galley kitchen, or a plain old small kitchen, it’s probably best to go with something somewhat bright, but you could bring darker color in with a patterned backsplash that balances bright and dark tones. If you’re blessed with an abundance of natural light or a wide open space, you can go wild with busy patterns without ending up with a space that feels super cramped. 

Antiques, special cookware, and even cookbooks can all make great kitchen accessories, as seen in this Casagrande Studio kitchen. 

Photo: Jared Kuzia; Courtesy of Casagrande Studio 

Decide on indulgences

There are so many opportunities to consider small elements that might not be 100% necessary but can add a lot to projects with big or small budgets when kitchen planning. The particularly whimsical sconce that AD100 designer Billy Cotton recommended Lily Allen and David Harbour add to their Brooklyn townhouse comes to mind. “This is part of the genius of Billy Cotton. When we came in, when we were building [the kitchen] and we saw this, I freaked out and I was like, ‘What is this doing here? It’s so stupid we do not want this thing here, we have lights in the house.’ He was like, ‘No, no, don’t mess with that, that’s my moment,’” David Harbour explains in the Open Door tour of their home. “We let him go, and I will say there’s a genius to it because at night, when you turn all the other lights off, there’s something quite magical and beautiful about it.”

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Small indulgences might seem unnecessary during the design process, but you could find yourself thankful once the new kitchen is all done and indulgences come in many forms beyond the unusual sconce that Harbour sung the praises of. An over-the-stove pot filler, a hot water tap, a second sink, or a second dishwasher—just a few more potential pick-me-ups. 

Remember that you can accessorize

In the midst of the many, many decisions one has to make when it comes to planning a kitchen renovation, it can be difficult to remember that home design is an evolving process. One of the best things you can remind yourself of during the planning stage is how much you’ll be able to tweak once the actual renovation process is actually completed. Artwork can be hung, throw pillows can be added to banquets, counter stools can be switched out—nothing has to be decided upon as if it is completely set in stone. The best designed spaces come from excitement for how things can change, not fear of the possibility that they might. 

“Everyone really has the tool belt today to start figuring out how to make their homes better at any stage of life,” Jenn says. “Everyone’s lives are centered around the kitchen. Whether it’s large or small, the kitchen is where we make our meals but it’s [also] where everyone wants to be if they’re home entertaining. It’s the central part of our lives and it’s not really going away.”

DIY kitchen design basics | Kitchens to order in Saratov – the best choice for every taste

Kitchen design. Starting work on the project

Creating a project for your own kitchen is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. It is enough just to delve into the design rules and soon you will receive a real masterpiece in the world of interior design and planning.

The golden rule of any repair is the order of actions. Only in stages can you achieve the best results that will exceed all expectations. But where to start designing a kitchen? This is what we will try to figure out.

Every corner of the room needs to be developed, because this is what determines whether the kitchen will be functional and comfortable. A small kitchen is a much more difficult option than a large one, because you need to design it so that all the necessary furniture and household appliances are harmoniously located. In addition, you need to think about the fact that the kitchen cannot do without a lot of small shelves, cabinets and drawers where you can place a lot of kitchen utensils.

First stage

Do-it-yourself room design

Furniture arrangement needs to be planned in advance. This is the initial stage of repair work in the kitchen. Remember to fully measure all the parameters of your room to the nearest millimeter, otherwise there is a risk that the headset will not fit as expected. Width, length of each wall, area – all these measurements should be. In addition, the following parameters must be measured:

• ceiling height;
• dimensions of doorways;
• length and width of the window opening.

It will be better if you measure them several times for accuracy. After all, the furniture that is ordered at the furniture warehouse in advance must fit into the parameters of the room.

All the results obtained must be sketched on a piece of paper for a visual assessment of the area. There is nothing complicated here, special design and drawing skills are not required. It is necessary to draw a plan diagram, on which the dimensions of all walls will be applied in centimeters. After the received drawing, you can proceed to the next step.

Second stage

Family needs and kitchen layout

At this stage, it is important to determine all the needs and wishes of the family that will live in the apartment. Everything is important here: from the number of people to the possibility and desire to spend time together in the kitchen.

Thus, if the number of people is large, it is important to take care of the maximum functionality in the kitchen in order to make room for passage. This option has the appearance of all kinds of built-in surfaces, tables, bar counters, shelves. Hanging cabinets are best done under the ceiling to accommodate more kitchen utensils. By saving space on small accessories, you can expand at least a little space for family meetings in the kitchen at dinner.

Things to think about when planning

1. A refrigerator, for example, can also be purchased up to the ceiling, but its width should be smaller. So that the kitchen space is not overloaded with a refrigerator, it is advisable to choose lighter tones than the color scheme of the interior of the kitchen room. In order to save space, household appliances and kitchen appliances can be hung on the walls in the corners of the kitchen.
2. Decide how often you will be in the kitchen. Cooking takes a different amount of time for all people, and someone eats out. Depending on this, the purpose of many work areas also changes. If cooking takes you a minimum amount of time, then there is no need to create built-in countertops and so on.
3. The number of kitchen items and utensils is also important, for these items just need the most space, while they should always be at hand.
4. The dining table can be made built-in even if you do not plan to have joint dinners often and the area allows you to place a whole kitchen corner. The more free space in the kitchen, the better. A bar counter and a wide window sill will help make the kitchen more modern and functional, for example, when the hostess is busy preparing food, and another family member decides to drink coffee. You will not interfere with each other, and this is the most important thing in the kitchen.
5. Comparing all these points, you can roughly come up with the most comfortable arrangement of furniture and layout for your family and thereby create comfortable conditions for each family member. Assessing the needs of the family in the kitchen is the most important step in creating a room project, and you need to approach this work with intelligence and imagination.

The third stage

Selection of appliances for the kitchen

Having decided on the location of the furniture, it remains to understand what household appliances are needed for the kitchen. Basically, people use several types:

• refrigerator;
• stove;
• microwave oven;
• bread machine;
• multicooker;
• coffee machine.

Other types of equipment are also used, but they are not mandatory and irreplaceable. The first two types take up the most space, so you need to place them so that they do not violate the overall picture of the interior of the kitchen.

Microwave ovens are often placed on the refrigerator, and bread machines are used less often, therefore they are always placed in the corner of the kitchen working area. A coffee machine and a slow cooker are frequently used appliances, which means they need to be positioned so that they do not interfere with cooking, but are always at hand. If it is planned to install a bar counter in the kitchen, then the coffee machine can be placed on it. Moreover, bar counters are designed for drinking coffee drinks.

If the size of the kitchen allows you to accommodate large appliances, then this is only an advantage. However, in small kitchens, where every centimeter counts, you need to think about the minimum size of household appliances so as not to reduce the already meager space.

Comfort in the kitchen is the key to a delicious dinner

After a hard day, I wanted to relax and gain strength before tomorrow. Where, if not in the kitchen with your family, you can get enough of communicating with your loved ones, have a tasty meal and discuss plans for the future? That is why the kitchen is considered the most important room in the apartment; people spend most of their time here. This means that the atmosphere in this room should inspire and relax, and not strain with massive bulky interior elements.

The color scheme should be chosen so that each member of the family would be comfortable in the kitchen, not irritate the eyes and soothe. A functional, reliable and comfortable kitchen is the dream of every housewife. Otherwise, this place will turn into an unloved one, where you don’t want to come and there is no desire to cook food.

It is better to try to create the most comfortable working conditions from the beginning and think over a corner for the dining area, and let it take more time, but it’s worth it.

In order to avoid mistakes in planning a kitchen set, you need to seriously and responsibly draw up a custom-made kitchen project. The Kuhmaster company in Saratov invites you to create the kitchen of your dreams. Projects are drawn up by experienced specialists, and finished sketches are checked by the management of our salon.

When making your kitchen, the project is carefully analyzed, and mistakes in planning the kitchen set are not allowed. Thus, you get the perfect kitchen that will serve you for a long time and that you will be proud of!

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• Kitchen renovation

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Create a 3D design of your kitchen online

home

Kitchen

Kitchen sets

Create 3D project

3D construction set

A simple and understandable online kitchen designer allows you to design a room and arrange a kitchen set within 10-15 minutes. You can:

• Recreate the layout of the room as accurately as possible
• Draw a design project in 3D
• Save project to computer/flash drive
• Continue drawing when convenient
• Immediately see the cost of your future kitchen

Instruction:

The interface of the designer is simple, anyone can figure it out and independently create a kitchen project on their computer without leaving home.

For the correct operation of the program, we recommend using Google Chrome, Firefox or Opera browsers on a laptop or personal computer (mobile devices are not suitable!) .

Phased creation of the project

• To add an item to a room, you need to hold down the left mouse button, select an item and drag it to the desired part of the room.
• To control the camera, use the arrows in the bottom menu

or hold down the right (or middle) mouse button. In some browsers – right key + Alt.

• When, when dragging, the module crosses the border of another element (wall, cabinet), it will feel like it is hooked or stuck. This happens exactly on the border of the elements and is done on purpose so that you place the modules evenly.

Important! The builder does not have an autosave feature, so be sure to click the Save Project button in the top menu. It is recommended to do this after all significant changes in the project, so as not to lose them when refreshing the page, turning off the computer, etc. Save the project file on your computer – and you can open it at any time using the “Load project” button. Click, select the saved file – and the program opens your saved project.

1. Room parameters

1.1 Dimensions of the room. Select the default dimensions, press Delete and write the actual dimensions in centimeters (wall 1, wall 2, height).

1.2 Doors, Windows – when clicked, options for windows, doors and ventilation shafts / columns / beams will appear. Select the desired element and, holding down the left mouse button, drag it to the desired part of the room. When you click on an element, and then on the ruler icon, a menu pops up on the right, where you can specify your width, height, and depth. You can delete an unnecessary module by pressing the Delete button on the keyboard or by clicking on the trash can icon when an element is selected.

1.3 Walls and Floors. Here you can choose suitable materials and colors. Click on the shade you like – and the floor / wall is automatically repainted.

2. Kitchen model

2.1 The “Kitchen model” menu contains all kitchen sets from the catalog. Each model has its own set of modules and facade colors. Choose your favorite model and start designing your own kitchen!

2.2 The next step is to select the facade color from those available for this model in the “Materials” menu. During the design process, the color of the facades can also be changed so that you can choose the best solution for yourself.

3. Modules, cabinets and technology

3.1 Click the “Modules” button to open the menu.

3.2 Lower – to form the lower tier of the kitchen. Drag the desired cabinet by holding down the left button of the computer mouse. Dimensions correspond to the selected model. When you hover the mouse over any module, information about it appears: name and price.

To install a sink or hob, select a cabinet with a width of 60 cm (600 mm) or more, in the menu that appears, click on the “Appliances” icon and select what you want to build in.

In the module menu, you can also change the color of the front (and the color of the body for models, where possible).

3.3 Upper, Pencil cases – are set by analogy with the Lower cabinets. Drag to the right place and specify the dimensions. To make a cabinet or other module turn to another wall, just move it close – it will turn itself. When moving the upper cabinets, an apron height line appears, and the cabinet “sticks” to it, which makes it as easy as possible to arrange. By default, the line is set to 560mm, but you can change the height in the Kitchen Options section.

All cabinets are divided into groups depending on the height.

3.4 Appliances – a standard refrigerator in two colors, an extractor hood (modern and classic), a gas stove and a washing machine. We act by analogy – drag and drop with the mouse and install in the kitchen project.

3.5 and 3.6 Shelves and bar counters

We select the necessary element, set the required dimensions – and complete the kitchen set.

4. Saving/loading a project

To save your kitchen and continue designing later, click Save Project – the floppy disk icon with the down arrow on the top menu. A project file with a name of this type “project_20.6.2018_12_37.dbs” will be saved to your computer. The file will be saved to the download folder specified in your browser settings. This file can be sent by mail, downloaded to a USB flash drive – and opened on another computer.

To continue designing, load the saved file. To do this, click on the folder icon in the top menu and select the backup.dbs file.

Having created a project, you can “play” with the colors of the facades, the location of the modules, and check the furniture for convenience. Open doors, pull out drawers by simply pressing the center mouse button. Add windows, doors, sockets. Change the colors of the walls and floor.

After completing the design, click the “Submit for calculation” button and fill in the required fields.