If you were putting your kitchen together from scratch, what would you do?

Answer 1

I did and we love it. In our family, the kitchen is also a gathering place for friends and family. Whether it's cooking, eating, crafting, etc. the living room actually gets less use. We grow some of our veggies in the summer, so a pantry area was a must! In addition, I do some catering and cake decorating, so storage space for those additional items was important.

Basically, I do not like fads or trends, I like time-tested materials for the decor, appliances and accessories. I love the warmth of wood cabinetry, so that was a given. Slate flooring is enduring, beautiful, and lends itself to a variety of color schemes over the years to come. Since I've gone thru several sets of cookware over the years, I finally purchased stainless chef's cookware some years ago and that helped to solve many other decisions in the design. Not only is stainless pretty much indestructible, it's pristine, cleans up beautifully, and when you walk into the room you feel like you really can be a gourmet cook.

If I could make suggestions, decide what the functions of the room will be and plan accordingly. Choose quality materials in neutral colors that will blend in many color pallettes and decorating styles. It will also help with resale value. Most importantly, choose what YOU like and not what opinion or latest trends dictate...that's why they are trends!

Answer 2

The most important thing is to make a plan and set a budget.
You didn't say if you were remodeling or building a new home. I will assume you are building a new home. You need to see if everything you want will fit into the space you have. So a blue print is very important for planning.
Then choose your cabinets, appliances, counter tops, back splash, flooring, sinks, hardware, etc.
You can get info on most of these things through consumer reports.
Cabinets can be custom made or you can get pre-made cabinets for much less cost. Home Depot and Lowe's are a good source for pre-made.
Counter tops come in all sorts of styles colors and types. There are pros and cons to all of them. My personal favorite's are the manufactured stone because of the ease of care and the abuse they take. But there lots of choices like stone (granite), tile, stainless steel, stained concrete, formica and so on. These range in price and consumers guide has an excellent article on counter tops.
Appliances for your kitchen need research on your part and depend on what type of use your kitchen will get. If you don't like to cook you don't need to spend much money on appliances but if you do the sky is the limit. Colors are more out than in. Stainless steel is the king right now. I hate it, it always looks dirty to me unless it's polished.
Flooring is an other big decision. Wood, tile, brick or carpet. They all have drawbacks and pluses. Again it is what you like and what you can afford.
My best advise is to get advise from the experts and build the kitchen you want.

Answer 3

What budget are we looking at? lol With kitchens the sky's the limit.

Some advise is to go with a kitchen designer, some will design it for a small fee.

Find a contractor and have him install it for you.

If you go to home depot and they do it for you from scratch you will be paying premium prices.

As with any project, the budget is the most important. Make a budget and stick with it. Otherwise, cost can spiral out of control.

You can build an affordable state of the art kitchen, if you do some of the leg work and some of the installation. Shop for counter tops and go to multiple places to get the best price. Same with cabinets and fixtures. Order some from Internet, you can find great items you don't find locally for half the price.

Do your research and have fun!

Answer 4

Are we dreaming big here, because I have big ideas!! I would first like it to be an open concept! I would have cherry cabinets with a natural finish, black and tan granite counter tops, with a river rock or african slate tile back splash. I would go with either black or stainless appliances (not sure if I can stand the fingerprints.) For the floor I would either go with wood or a terracotta/brown colored tile (if we're dreaming~they would be heated!) I would have a walk in pantry and an island bar that would seat at least five. All lighting would be in brushed nickel! Black granite sink. The cabinets would have pull out shelves for easy access. It would be an eat in kitchen because out of the houses we have owned (5) the formal dining room is pretty much useless. Maybe have a hearth area with a fireplace that has a flat screen mounted above it!! Total family area!!

Answer 5

First I would decide the kind and placement of all appliances, including sinks, faucets etc. Next I would decide what kind of storage I wanted and if I wanted an island in the space I had. Then I would work with a cabinet maker and customize my cabinets to match my previous storage needs decision, and the materials and finishes I wanted in my kitchen. While the cabinets were being made I would lay the flooring. next the cabinets would go in then the counter tops, sink and lastly the appliances. Hang the curtains, fill the cupboards and wallah, a new kitchen.

Answer 6

I would make sure it was large, with an island in the middle, hanging racks for pots and pans over head, the latest appliances, two ovens/stoves, a bar and just opem with only a couple of walls with a greatamount of cabinet space.

Answer 7

Large kitchen with island good wood cabinets, slate floor, cabinet panels on appliances I would not have a side by side fridge, not enough room. Skylites and plenty of light. Large amount of storage.

Answer 8

Lots of cherry cabinets and granite countertops, a big pantry, tile floor, lots of natural light, an eat in kitchen. I don't want much do I? LOL

Answer 9

If you have access to IKEA, you can get some amazing ideas. They have whole rooms set up in various ways. Even if your nearest IKEA is some distance away, it would probably be worth it to take the trip.

IKEA is modern though. It probably won't work if you are trying for a country farm house look.

Answer 10

go simple...but use lots of happy colors...unbelievable but colors do work...
i live in a duplex...both homes are built exactly alike..inside cabinets and all...so everything there is old
i have redone my kitchen, leaving in the same everything but painting in yellows grays and green...WOW...
duplexes are up for sale and the viewers always comment on my new kitchen...and ask why owners havent done the other home...hehe