What comes to mind when you think of your dream kitchen? Do you picture a spacious cooking hub with a functional layout? Or maybe you’re more after a trendy interior design that speaks volumes about your personality and taste? It could also be that you’re one of those homeowners who prefer their kitchen to have the perfect balance of functionality and style.
The road to building your dream kitchen
The kitchen often gets the most wear and tear out of all the areas in the house. So, it makes sense to identify the need to furnish it with the correct elements and materials. Now that you’re about to build your dream home, you have the perfect opportunity to create a kitchen design you’ve always wanted.
Ready to turn your dream into a reality? Here are five steps you need to build your dream kitchen:
1. Visualize what you want
Every dream starts with a vision, and building a perfect kitchen should be no different. The number of kitchen design styles you can find online or in catalogs can be overwhelming. To prevent this, you can start by visualizing how you want the room to be. What are your non-negotiables regarding the elements you need in your kitchen? You can always check this countertop website to have a visualization of your dream kitchen design.
For example, if you love to bake, you might have to allot a bigger spot for your oven and other baking equipment. You’ll also need to strategize the layout and floor plan so you can freely move around when doing your thing.
Do you want a customized countertop? What about cabinetry? Ideas and visions tend to overflow when you’re unsure where or how to start. It might be wiser to talk to professional kitchen builders such as Art of Kitchens to help you plan the design and layout of your cooking area.
Gather enough ideas and do your research so you can better visualize what you want your kitchen to look like. Moreover, you can get inspiration online. If you have a friend or family whose kitchen is similar to what you want, you can also ask them for insights.
2. Pick a kitchen design style
The internet is brimming with ideas and inspiration in case you still haven’t decided on a particular kitchen design style. You can also consider your taste, especially if you want every part of your home to reflect your unique personality.
A country farmhouse kitchen design is perfect if you wish to evoke an airy and inviting ambiance. On the flip side, contemporary kitchens are perfect for you if you envision the room as sleek and sophisticated. This design style is also a dream come true if you’re a minimalist who prefers a clutter-free yet modern interior and layout for your kitchen.
Want to feel like you’re living at the beach? Take the coastal route and build a Hamptons-style kitchen with cool shades of sand, white, green, and blue. Or, if you don’t like going the extra mile but still want your kitchen to be your comfy zone, a traditional design style complete with all the works might suit your fancy.
3. Work out a budget
After deciding on a kitchen design style, what comes next is setting a budget for your dream cooking space. Remember that aside from the design, there are far more other elements that you need to spend money on. This includes the appliances, lighting, flooring, wiring, plumbing, and other finishing touches that may be necessary. Hence, adding at least a 10% contingency fund is ideal for preparing for unexpected expenses.
In setting your budget, you can ask yourself how far you can go to achieve the look and feel you ultimately want. Are you willing to break the bank, or do you prefer to set a realistic budget that won’t require you to stretch your finances?
Of course, you also have to account for the rising costs of materials and labor. Regardless if it’s only for a minor kitchen remodel, you should be ready to stretch your finances, especially if you plan on splurging on high-end materials and smart appliances. That’s why it’s not surprising that a 2022 study by US Houzz on kitchen trends revealed that appliances are the second most popular component people invest in when renovating their kitchens.
4. Be realistic with your timeline
It’s only natural to be ecstatic and excited about what your dream kitchen will look like when the construction is over. Setting a realistic timeline is advisable, so you won’t have to deal with unnecessary stress if the project encounters bumps and glitches, whether a new home you’re building or just having a kitchen remodel.
Ask your builder or contractor how long each portion of the kitchen can take to complete. It would be best if you also considered the timeline for ordering materials, appliances, and other elements your kitchen needs. Be prepared to wait a little longer for everything to come alive if you’ve decided to customize almost every kitchen component.
5. Start building
Once you’ve completed the four steps above, you’ve arrived at the last and most exciting part—it’s building time! At this point, you need to be working closely with your builder to ensure everything goes according to your vision, budget, and timeline. Clarify with the contractor if the deal already includes all the necessary work permits and clearances.
Final words
Building your dream kitchen may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to. As long as you’re fully prepared and you’ve done enough research, you should be able to traverse this road with confidence and excitement. Soon enough, your dream kitchen will be up and running, and you’ll be the happiest homemaker you’ve wished to be.
