Function & Design of a Kitchen

Style

• Designing a kitchen means choosing colors, appliances countertops and flooring that go with the rest of the home and the homeowners' tastes. The building industry offers many choices for design and looks, whether you work with a contractor or designer or go it alone. Start by looking through design magazines, home center displays or friends' homes to get an idea of the style you want.

Lifestyle

• The glory of a stylish kitchen will soon fade if it does not match the flow of the family and the home. Ask yourself exactly how you will use the room and design from there, such as putting dishes near where you will need them and planning food preparation space that makes sense for how you cook. Choose appliances for function, as well as design, so they will allow you to cook like a chef, if that's what you want, or like a home cook if that's more your reality.

Layout

• The location of drawers, cabinets, counters and appliances should make cooking in the kitchen easy and accessible. Decide where your cooking utensils and supplies will go before setting the layout of your new kitchen. Leave ample room for doors to swing open out of the way and drawers and racks to stay clear of your work space. If you want dedicated eating and seating space, plan it into the layout before it becomes permanent. And appliances should go in a compact, yet workable, triangle for efficient cooking.

Financial Considerations

• The budget often becomes the biggest stumbling block in any renovation project. Commonly, kitchen remodeling jobs can cost up to 15 percent of the value of the home, or even more for higher-end projects. Set your budget first and try not to deviate by choosing the best you can afford. And don't forget that every job has its surprises, so squirrel away up to 20 percent more for those expenses you don't foresee.