Whether you’re starting from scratch with your kitchen or just looking to make a few updates, having a checklist to refer to can save you many hours. Not only does it help keep you on track with what you’ll actually be changing in your kitchen, but it also helps you set your budget when you’re keeping tabs on how much you’re likely spend.
Your checklist should be specific enough to encompass all the minor details, but not too specific that you lose sight of the big picture. It must be composed of a series of questions that can be answered with short simple answers, so that you or your designer will know exactly how you want your kitchen to appear in the end. However, instead of coming up with your own checklist, look no further for a better resource! Here’s our detailed kitchen checklist for both the first time and veteran kitchen owner.
A Background on Your Entire Home
These questions address issues that may arise from the living conditions in the home as well as the people who live in it. In addition, it also considers how many people live in the house and who will be spending the most time in the kitchen. Here you’ll find out who is really going to be using this kitchen.
- How long do you intend to live in your house?
- Are you renting your house or do you intend to have tenants?
- Do you intend to retire in this house?
- How many people currently live in this house?
- How many kids and/or grandkids do you currently have?
- If you plan to retire here, how many kids/grandkids will there possibly be in five/ten years?
- Will you be entertaining guests in your home frequently?
- Will the kitchen be a part of your entertainment area?
- Will you be using the kitchen as a workspace?
- How many people will be cooking in the kitchen?
- Do you like having people help you out in the kitchen, or do you prefer to work alone?
- Will you be cooking from scratch most of the time?
- Will you be eating your meals in the kitchen? If so, how often will you be doing this?
- Do you have family members with physical limitations that need access to the kitchen?
- Are pets often in this area?
Your Kitchen Appliances
If you’re moving into a new home or remodeling your kitchen to suit your new or current appliances, you’d need some measurements to ensure that everything falls into place. However, it’s also possible that you’ll be purchasing new appliances for your kitchen. These are the considerations you need to think of when it comes to your appliances:
- What is the size of the range you’ll be using?
- Will your stove be gas or electric?
- Will your oven and cooktop be incorporated into one unit?
- Will your cooktop be on top of a counter (i.e. detached from the stove)?
- What other cooking appliances will you be using most often?
- How big is your fridge?
- What kind of fridge is it? (Top freezer, bottom freezer, side by side, French door, compact, etc.)
- Do you want your kitchen to match the cabinetry or the other appliances?
- Do you want a built-in microwave?
- If so, where do you want to place it?
Your Food Preparation Areas
Counters and tables for preparing food are a crucial part of the kitchen. There must always be at least one surface for all your peeling, chopping and preparing needs. Here is a list of things you need to think about when it comes to these areas:
- Do you want your countertops to match any of your appliances?
- What style or type of surface will your countertops be?
- Will you be having a single, double or triple counter?
- How many islands and counters will you be using?
- Will your kitchen island/s be mobile?
- Will you have warming drawers?
- Do you intend to have a trash compactor?
- If so, where will you place it?
- Do you intend to have a coffee or some sort of beverage area?
Storage Considerations
Of course, cabinets are an integral part of a functional kitchen. With all the tools and food you’ll be using to prepare meals, you need a place where they can all be stored.
- Will you be purchasing new cabinets?
- Will you only be replacing the cabinet door fronts?
- Will you be having any display cabinets?
- Will you be having open cabinets?
- Will you be having glass-front cabinets?
- Will you have a separate pantry? If so, how much space do you intend to dedicate to it?
- How many stand-alone shelves and cabinets do you want to have in your kitchen?
Design Ideas
Aside from functionality, the overall look and feel of your kitchen also matters to both those who cook in the kitchen and those who would be dining in the kitchen, or nearby. Your design choice may be based on how often people will be in the kitchen and whether or not your will be entertaining guests in the vicinity of it. In addition, many design choices can also have unique functions. So if you have a small kitchen, some functional pieces can also double as aesthetic pieces.
- Will there be a TV in the kitchen? If so, where will it be placed?
- Will your pet have his or her own food storage and dining area?
- Will you have a specific place to store wine?
- Will you have a recycling center?
- Will your pots and pans be hanging overhead or from hooks?
- Will you also be remodeling or replacing your sink?
- What type of lighting will be the main source of light for your kitchen?
- Will you have recessed lights?
- Will you have spotlights for aesthetic purposes?
- Will you also remodel the floor?
- Will you also remodel the walls? If so, will you be using paint, wallpaper or tile?
- Will you have a backsplash for your stove?
- Will you be including plants, paintings and other artistic elements into your kitchen’s design?
- Are there any other details that you would like to add to the checklist?
We really hope this has helped inspire an idea or two for your new home and kitchen. Feel free to contact us for more help with new kitchen ideas, or see Select Kitchen’s gallery here.
