Ask these five kitchen reno questions
Your answers will provide direction, design ideas for better results
Proper planning and organization are key to a kitchen remodel, no matter the size of the job.
Ask yourself these questions and your answers will give you more than design ideas — they’ll help bring structure to what you want to complete, and lend some direction to your plans. Form follows function, so know the function you want. 1. What kind of cook am I? Different cooks have different needs. Some enjoy a sprawling complex to create intricate meals; others just want to keep their family fed amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Your cooking style has personality, and your kitchen style should match. Otherwise you’ll be struggling against your own layout.
Related question: How many people will usually be cooking at a time? A solo cook has different needs than a family putting together a team effort.
If the family includes someone who’s always on the go and needs quick meals, you might want a larger and more accessible microwave. If the household includes small children, you might want to make some of the storage and workspaces lower and more accessible. 2. What, besides cooking, will be done in the kitchen? Some use their kitchens to entertain; others leave that entire- ly to other rooms. Some kitchens become the command centres of the home. Think through what you’re actually going to use your kitchen for, and plan accordingly. 3. How long will I stay in the
house? This could determine some of your choices. If you plan on moving in the next few years, you might want to focus on elements with more universal appeal. If you expect this to be your forever home, go for specific and personalized choices. 4. How does my kitchen interact with the rest of the
house? Does the kitchen have an exit to the outdoors? Open or closed floor design? How does it relate to the dining room and living areas — especially in terms of trafficking meals from point A to point B? The kitchen doesn’t stand alone, so think of it in terms of the greater whole. 5. What factors are most im
portant to me? During your renovation, you’ll be making numerous decisions and prioritizing different elements. But think about your “north stars” — what are the elements you must have, and feel the kitchen is incomplete without? What do you need in this kitchen to make you happy? Keep your eye on that goal.