The 9 Best Questions to Ask Before Cooking Up a New Kitchen
Whether you’re building or remodeling, a new kitchen design requires forethought and planning. Professional chefs and serious home cooks abide by the concept of mise en place. Literally translated as “putting in place”, this is the practice of ensuring all the ingredients and tools the chef will need are on hand. From tong to spatulas, minced garlic to chopped herbs, every squeeze bottle and spoon is carefully laid out within easy reach to minimize wasted effort and maximize time. Having everything in place helps the chef create a culinary masterpiece.
As kitchen and bath experts, over the years we’ve seen people spend more time planning a Thanksgiving meal than their new kitchen – and live to regret it! You’ll want a skilled Kitchen and Bath designer doing the designing and an experienced contractor handling the remodeling to achieve a kitchen design that will allow your inner chef to break free. To achieve a chef-worthy kitchen design, here are 9 of the best questions we use to get started:
#1: What are Your Limitations?
When you’re embarking on a new kitchen design, it’s a pleasure to dwell on the possibilities of new cabinetry, flooring, appliances, lighting, countertops – even new a layout in the heart of the home. As much as we love exploring the myriad option and possibilities, too, it’s important to also consider the hard limits of the project. Are there certain restrictions – say, a load-bearing wall – that simply cannot be moved? Do you have an absolute ceiling on your budget? By starting with the limitations, you’re then able to explore all the possibilities that make sense for your project.
#2: How Well Do You Handle Rollercoasters?
Kitchen upgrades are sure to increase your quality of life and your home’s property value but remember that there will be challenges along the way. Even if there are no major surprises or mistakes, any home improvement project is at risk for going over budget or taking longer than expected – you never know what you’ll find when you start poking around floors, walls, and ceilings! There will the highs of finalizing your new kitchen design and starting the demo and the lows of the days when you’ll have to function without a fridge, stove, or even running water.
#3: Are You Ready for Take-Out and Trade-Offs?
Some contractors will leave your sink, fridge, and stove completely functional until the very last minute, only removing them when its completely necessary; other contractors prefer to remove everything from the kitchen on the first day of demolition. Find out how your contractor works and plan accordingly because no matter which method your contractor prefers, there will be a period when you are without the use of a kitchen. If you’re implementing your new kitchen design in late spring or summer, you have the benefit of using a barbeque grill for your meals. If you’re remodeling or building in the colder months, be prepared for takeout meals or stock your basement freezer with meals you’ve prepared in advance. This way, you can use a microwave to heat up meals and eat at home during the kitchen renovation.
There will, of course, be other trade-offs beyond the question of how to eat. You’ll want to weight cost versus value, balancing your choices and your spending based on your personal priorities and your plans for the space. Are you remodeling because you plan to put your house on the market soon, or is this a space you’ll be living in for decades to come?
#4: What Does Your Dream Kitchen Look Like?
One of the best parts of planning a new kitchen design is the dreaming. You should visit sites like Houzz.com and Pinterest to gather inspiration. Make a mood board of your favorite kitchens. Do you see themes emerging? Are you drawn to a defined style, a specific color palette, or certain kitchen features? Do you desire a dual tub sink? Are you crazy for concrete or quartz countertops? Does the idea of a high-output gas range or a dual convection oven get you all heated up? Do you find that a French-door refrigerator adds a certain je ne sais quoi? Do you dream of the convenience of soft-close doors and drawers for all your cabinetry?
#5: What Does Your Reality Look Like?
Sometimes our dream kitchens are just that – dreamy magazine-worthy images that conjure up a life like to fantasize about, but one that is far removed from our actual reality. If you’re entire home has a country-farmhouse-feel, then replicating that extremely modern kitchen you put on your Pinterest page probably isn’t a great idea. When you create your kitchen design, you want to respect the architectural integrity of your home as well as the lifestyle you lead. If, for example, you’re a parent of young children, although you like the look of an all-white kitchen with marble floors and countertops, it might not withstand the wear and tear of your family’s needs. Likewise, you probably don’t want a huge center island open to the rest of the house if you’re a messy cook who struggles with kitchen clutter. You might consider adding a scullery off the kitchen to hide away dirty dishes and other messes. In short, you want a kitchen design with solutions for your true habits and lifestyle, not a kitchen for the person you wish you were.
#6: How Do You Intend to Use Your Kitchen?
Do you entertain a lot? Do you like to throw dinner parties? Or is most of your cooking solely for your family? Knowing how you intend to use your kitchen will help you determine whether you need an open concept kitchen, a kitchen with an island, or a semi-private kitchen. Are you more of a baker than a cook? Understanding how you use your kitchen will help a designer give you a kitchen design with the most efficient layout. If your kitchen tends to be a drop-off zone for cell phones, school papers, and other forms of daily clutter, consider adding hidden drawers and stations to help keep that clutter at bay.
#7: What is Your Style and Personality?
Your kitchen should inspire you and make you want to cook more. The only way it will do that is if its design complements your style and personality. For example, if you love the farmhouse look, then designing a gourmet kitchen with an apron sink, shiplap, and farm-friendly finishes will make you feel at home and not as if you are in a stranger’s kitchen.
#8: How Much Storage is Needed?
How much storage will your kitchen need? Do you have a lot of smaller kitchen appliances? Do you have both everyday dishes and fancy china? Are you a baker with lots of specialty tools? Do you want to house your collection of cookbooks in the kitchen? What about a wine rack? Does your busy family need a separate beverage fridge? Do you relish the look and feel of completely clear countertops or are you okay with a few everyday appliances living on the counters? Again, taking an inventory of your cookware and dishes and examining how you use your kitchen will you decide your storage needs.
#9: How Many Cooks Will Be in Your Kitchen?
Do you have young children who have shown interest in cooking, or do you and your partner enjoy cooking together? If so, then you will want to ensure that your kitchen design has enough room to allow multiple chefs to work at the same time. You may want to consider multiple cooktops and top-and-bottom ovens as well as dual sinks and other conveniences. No one likes to be crowded when making a meal! Ideally, your new kitchen design will solve any pet peeves and improve your everyday life.
One Last Question – What Are You Waiting For?
If you’re remodeling or building your dream kitchen, then you will want to make sure your dream kitchen design is brought to life. At Swartz Kitchens & Baths, we specialize in creating beautiful, fully functional gourmet kitchens any chef would be happy to cook in. Let our designers help you create a chef-worthy kitchen for your home. Look at our extensive portfolio and then contact us to schedule a complementary consultation. From your initial consultation to the finished product, you’ll quickly find out why Swartz Kitchens & Baths is one of the most trusted gourmet kitchen design groups in Pennsylvania.
The 9 Best Questions to Ask Before Cooking Up a New Kitchen
Whether you’re building or remodeling, a new kitchen design requires forethought and planning. Professional chefs and serious home cooks abide by the concept of mise en place. Literally translated as “putting in place”, this is the practice of ensuring all the ingredients and tools the chef will need are on hand. From tong to spatulas, minced garlic to chopped herbs, every squeeze bottle and spoon is carefully laid out within easy reach to minimize wasted effort and maximize time. Having everything in place helps the chef create a culinary masterpiece.
As kitchen and bath experts, over the years we’ve seen people spend more time planning a Thanksgiving meal than their new kitchen – and live to regret it! You’ll want a skilled Kitchen and Bath designer doing the designing and an experienced contractor handling the remodeling to achieve a kitchen design that will allow your inner chef to break free. To achieve a chef-worthy kitchen design, here are 9 of the best questions we use to get started:
#1: What are Your Limitations?
When you’re embarking on a new kitchen design, it’s a pleasure to dwell on the possibilities of new cabinetry, flooring, appliances, lighting, countertops – even new a layout in the heart of the home. As much as we love exploring the myriad option and possibilities, too, it’s important to also consider the hard limits of the project. Are there certain restrictions – say, a load-bearing wall – that simply cannot be moved? Do you have an absolute ceiling on your budget? By starting with the limitations, you’re then able to explore all the possibilities that make sense for your project.
#2: How Well Do You Handle Rollercoasters?
Kitchen upgrades are sure to increase your quality of life and your home’s property value but remember that there will be challenges along the way. Even if there are no major surprises or mistakes, any home improvement project is at risk for going over budget or taking longer than expected – you never know what you’ll find when you start poking around floors, walls, and ceilings! There will the highs of finalizing your new kitchen design and starting the demo and the lows of the days when you’ll have to function without a fridge, stove, or even running water.
#3: Are You Ready for Take-Out and Trade-Offs?
Some contractors will leave your sink, fridge, and stove completely functional until the very last minute, only removing them when its completely necessary; other contractors prefer to remove everything from the kitchen on the first day of demolition. Find out how your contractor works and plan accordingly because no matter which method your contractor prefers, there will be a period when you are without the use of a kitchen. If you’re implementing your new kitchen design in late spring or summer, you have the benefit of using a barbeque grill for your meals. If you’re remodeling or building in the colder months, be prepared for takeout meals or stock your basement freezer with meals you’ve prepared in advance. This way, you can use a microwave to heat up meals and eat at home during the kitchen renovation.
There will, of course, be other trade-offs beyond the question of how to eat. You’ll want to weight cost versus value, balancing your choices and your spending based on your personal priorities and your plans for the space. Are you remodeling because you plan to put your house on the market soon, or is this a space you’ll be living in for decades to come?
#4: What Does Your Dream Kitchen Look Like?
One of the best parts of planning a new kitchen design is the dreaming. You should visit sites like Houzz.com and Pinterest to gather inspiration. Make a mood board of your favorite kitchens. Do you see themes emerging? Are you drawn to a defined style, a specific color palette, or certain kitchen features? Do you desire a dual tub sink? Are you crazy for concrete or quartz countertops? Does the idea of a high-output gas range or a dual convection oven get you all heated up? Do you find that a French-door refrigerator adds a certain je ne sais quoi? Do you dream of the convenience of soft-close doors and drawers for all your cabinetry?
#5: What Does Your Reality Look Like?
Sometimes our dream kitchens are just that – dreamy magazine-worthy images that conjure up a life like to fantasize about, but one that is far removed from our actual reality. If you’re entire home has a country-farmhouse-feel, then replicating that extremely modern kitchen you put on your Pinterest page probably isn’t a great idea. When you create your kitchen design, you want to respect the architectural integrity of your home as well as the lifestyle you lead. If, for example, you’re a parent of young children, although you like the look of an all-white kitchen with marble floors and countertops, it might not withstand the wear and tear of your family’s needs. Likewise, you probably don’t want a huge center island open to the rest of the house if you’re a messy cook who struggles with kitchen clutter. You might consider adding a scullery off the kitchen to hide away dirty dishes and other messes. In short, you want a kitchen design with solutions for your true habits and lifestyle, not a kitchen for the person you wish you were.
#6: How Do You Intend to Use Your Kitchen?
Do you entertain a lot? Do you like to throw dinner parties? Or is most of your cooking solely for your family? Knowing how you intend to use your kitchen will help you determine whether you need an open concept kitchen, a kitchen with an island, or a semi-private kitchen. Are you more of a baker than a cook? Understanding how you use your kitchen will help a designer give you a kitchen design with the most efficient layout. If your kitchen tends to be a drop-off zone for cell phones, school papers, and other forms of daily clutter, consider adding hidden drawers and stations to help keep that clutter at bay.
#7: What is Your Style and Personality?
Your kitchen should inspire you and make you want to cook more. The only way it will do that is if its design complements your style and personality. For example, if you love the farmhouse look, then designing a gourmet kitchen with an apron sink, shiplap, and farm-friendly finishes will make you feel at home and not as if you are in a stranger’s kitchen.
#8: How Much Storage is Needed?
How much storage will your kitchen need? Do you have a lot of smaller kitchen appliances? Do you have both everyday dishes and fancy china? Are you a baker with lots of specialty tools? Do you want to house your collection of cookbooks in the kitchen? What about a wine rack? Does your busy family need a separate beverage fridge? Do you relish the look and feel of completely clear countertops or are you okay with a few everyday appliances living on the counters? Again, taking an inventory of your cookware and dishes and examining how you use your kitchen will you decide your storage needs.
#9: How Many Cooks Will Be in Your Kitchen?
Do you have young children who have shown interest in cooking, or do you and your partner enjoy cooking together? If so, then you will want to ensure that your kitchen design has enough room to allow multiple chefs to work at the same time. You may want to consider multiple cooktops and top-and-bottom ovens as well as dual sinks and other conveniences. No one likes to be crowded when making a meal! Ideally, your new kitchen design will solve any pet peeves and improve your everyday life.
One Last Question – What Are You Waiting For?
If you’re remodeling or building your dream kitchen, then you will want to make sure your dream kitchen design is brought to life. At Swartz Kitchens & Baths, we specialize in creating beautiful, fully functional gourmet kitchens any chef would be happy to cook in. Let our designers help you create a chef-worthy kitchen for your home. Look at our extensive portfolio and then contact us to schedule a complementary consultation. From your initial consultation to the finished product, you’ll quickly find out why Swartz Kitchens & Baths is one of the most trusted gourmet kitchen design groups in Pennsylvania.