In my practice we are doing more and more residential kitchen remodels and it has been my experience that planning is critical to the success of the project. Finding a layout that suits the space you have as well as the way you cook and entertain are key elements. If you are planning to remodel or plan a new kitchen it is essential that you allow time and effort for the design to grow and that all the Kitchen Essentials are well in hand.

Layout- there are several simple rules of thumb to optimize the layout that suits your space and the way you cook. Maintaining these standards can make all the difference. I suggest Terence Conran’s Kitchens book as a great place to start. There are many thoughtful sections on how to plan your Kitchen as well as some truly fresh and compelling images. Additionally, I recommend visiting nkba.org. The National Kitchen and Bath Association is a great place to find qualified professionals as well as a great Guidelines document on what you need to ensure your project is a success.

Kitchen Designer or Architect?-Once you’ve done a little homework of your own a good next step is to determine and select a design professional. My advice: find a reputable designer through a reputable source. Both nkba.org and aia.org are ideal places to start. Any solid design professional will be knowledgeable of local building practices and will most likely have a qualified stable of contractors from which to select based on budget, scope and personality. The question then becomes do you need an architect or will a kitchen designer be better for you? In some cases, both are ideal; in others one or the other is sufficient. Here are some basic guidelines to help you decide:

• Are you planning the kitchen as part of a larger scope of work? If the answer is YES then an architect is definitely the way to go. In my practice we routinely do Kitchen Remodel Design as part of a larger effort to update a residence. Because there will no doubt be structural issues as well as larger issues such as circulation and flow to deal with, an architect will be much more fully equipped to deal with the Kitchen as a smaller part of the whole.
  
• Are you simply upgrading your existing Kitchen? A YES here points strongly toward a Kitchen Designer. They are expertly equipped to maximize and optimize your existing space. And they have a wealth of resources from which to draw so that you get exactly what you need.
  
• Are you planning to design and build a new house? A YES here and you should strongly consider enlisting both architect and Kitchen Designer. When used effectively, this team of designers can fully-realize your project in a way that one but not the other could do.

There is a wealth of information on the internet. Do your homework, hire a qualified professional or professionals and you will be rewarded with a thoughtful, functional and livable Kitchen. For more information, contact us today.