Turn Your Kitchen Design Idea From a Dream to Reality

By Paul Anater

Your kitchen design idea can be a dream that becomes your reality. And the process for creating the dream does not have to overwhelm you.

Whether your inspiration is a photo of a kitchen design from a magazine,a style you saw on a home tour or a renovation at a friend’s home, you can have the kitchen you want, and make it your own reality.

Often, a kitchen design idea starts with a lifestyle change. Either you have outgrown and become tired of the laminate countertops, dated appliances and space inefficiencies in the kitchen you’ve lived with for years, or you are considering buying another home and plan to upgrade the kitchen in the new residence.

Whatever the reason, there’s a kitchen remodeling idea in your future, and it may be in the home you already own. Because the day you begin your house search, you’ll probably find the home you’ve lived in for 15 years can’t be duplicated in today’s market at the price you paid originally. Add the property tax adjustment into the equation, and the cost to relocate can quickly be more than you are willing to take on.

So the option you choose may be what many of your friends and neighbors are choosing: Replace the tired kitchen that no longer serves your needs, and set your sights on a dream kitchen that will make you happy you decided to stay right where you are.

It may be a French kitchen design or Tuscan style that has captured your fancy.You may envision a minimalist kitchen with clean lines and modern-looking cabinets with lots of glass. Or, you may be considering matching a kitchen and bath design so you can remodel both at the same time.

Like many Tampa Bay residents whose homes were built in the 1970s or before, your home is probably a Florida ranch style typical of that period. Or it maybe a bungalow style home with a small kitchen design, and you may want to retain the size. You may also be considering a change to your pool or patio area, so an outdoor kitchen design is your priority.

If you live in a newer home or condominium, you may be unhappy with the kitchen layout. The location of the cabinets and countertops may be incompatible with your approach to meal preparation, or the color and material may not suit your taste.

The first step is to find a kitchen remodeling specialist who stays current on the latest in cabinetry, materials and fixtures and is willing to take a personal interest in your unique needs and budget. Just as important is to choose a professional who has been in your community a longtime, who offers a kitchen design showroom with a private consultation area, and whose work hours suit your schedule.

You’ll get the most realistic kitchen remodeling cost estimate when your kitchen designer spends time with you in both your home and in the showroom. The ideal kitchen designer will listen to your ideas, try to understand your lifestyle, and review the cabinet design, materials and fixture options that match your vision. The discussion should focus on your personal taste, how much time you spend in your kitchen, your meal preparation methods, number of people who take part in meal preparation and how often, and your budget considerations.

Understanding where value and price intersect is a skill you want from your custom kitchen designer. That’s why you want a kitchen designer who will ask pertinent questions – such as how long you intend to remain in your home – to be sure that cost benefit remains part of the budgeting process.

Since cabinets are typically the most expensive part of kitchen remodeling, a good kitchen designer will start with the cabinetry selection; including material,color and door style. He or she will then guide you through the countertop, tile and flooring selections. With so many varieties and cost levels to select from, a good designer will walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of each component and accompany you on a visit to suppliers when necessary.

While there’s no hard and fast rule for determining a timeframe to complete your dream kitchen, there are certain givens, such as planning to eat out during the installation, a period that could take up to four weeks.

Planning– the most critical step – can take from 2 weeks to 6 months. Generally,the cabinets arrive six weeks after the order is placed, during which time a contractor takes about a week to remove the old kitchen and prepare the room. This is followed by the installation of the flooring moving the plumbing and completing any electrical work that may be needed. Once the cabinets are installed, the countertop templates can be created. The countertops are then ordered and custom-made, a process that usually takes from two to three weeks.

So you’re on your way. You understand the phases in the process. The final step is to help insure a good experience once the contract is signed. Before you go too far in the planning phase, ask yourself some simple questions. Is the kitchen designer you selected willing to work with you every step of the way, and are you confident in his or her abilities? Ask for, and personally contact, references.If they are the happy, chances are you will be too.

Finally,be sure your kitchen remodeler has a skilled, stable staff, a name you can trust, and a long history of doing business in your community. That means the company cares about its customers and is in business for the long term. Now you are ready to put the wheels in motion, and your dream is well on its way to coming true.

ABOUT THE WRITER
Paul Anater, a professional kitchen designer with Kuttler Kitchens, has an extensive background in home construction and renovation.He honed his design skills after years of sketching and helping build rooms for homeowners and builders throughout the Bay Area. His construction expertise and eye for drawing and design make him a distinct talent among kitchen designers. His kitchen designs can be found in homes throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.