7 Questions to Consider Before Planning a Kitchen Renovation
Experts share the key things they ask clients before redesigning a kitchen
If you’re planning a new kitchen, a designer can help you make the most of the space to ensure the room works perfectly for you. But what are the key questions to think about before you hire your kitchen professional? We asked three experts to share the top things to consider before your first meeting.
Professional advice from: Diane Berry of Diane Berry Kitchens; Chris Chapman of Chris Chapman Bespoke Kitchens & Furniture; Barry Sawyer of Brayer Design
Professional advice from: Diane Berry of Diane Berry Kitchens; Chris Chapman of Chris Chapman Bespoke Kitchens & Furniture; Barry Sawyer of Brayer Design
2. What style of kitchen would you like?
Barry Sawyer recommends you start your kitchen design by gathering lots of inspiration. “Spend some time online looking at different kitchen styles and create a mood board; Houzz is a great resource for this,” he says. “Not only will a mood board help you to crystallise your ideas, it will be an invaluable tool for your kitchen designer, too.
There are two ways you can approach this on Houzz – collect photos while browsing Houzz and save them into an ideabook, which is a shareable album. You can also ask your pro to use the Houzz Pro software (if they use it) to create a mood board for you, perhaps taking in the standout themes from your ideabook collection.
“When crafting a new design, our team will consistently return to client mood boards to ensure we’re really capturing the essence of the project,” he adds.
Things to consider while finding ideas, Barry suggests, are what style of kitchen will suit the architecture or preferred interior style of your home and whether you want to opt for a clean and contemporary design or a more traditional one.
Barry Sawyer recommends you start your kitchen design by gathering lots of inspiration. “Spend some time online looking at different kitchen styles and create a mood board; Houzz is a great resource for this,” he says. “Not only will a mood board help you to crystallise your ideas, it will be an invaluable tool for your kitchen designer, too.
There are two ways you can approach this on Houzz – collect photos while browsing Houzz and save them into an ideabook, which is a shareable album. You can also ask your pro to use the Houzz Pro software (if they use it) to create a mood board for you, perhaps taking in the standout themes from your ideabook collection.
“When crafting a new design, our team will consistently return to client mood boards to ensure we’re really capturing the essence of the project,” he adds.
Things to consider while finding ideas, Barry suggests, are what style of kitchen will suit the architecture or preferred interior style of your home and whether you want to opt for a clean and contemporary design or a more traditional one.
3. Which surface materials would work best?
The flooring and worktop materials you choose will have a huge impact on the look and function of your kitchen, so it pays to consider them early.
“Flooring is a fundamental aspect of your kitchen design – in fact, it’s one of the first things you should consider before you pick your colour scheme with your kitchen designer,” Barry says. One of the main things he recommends you consider is whether you want it to run throughout the ground floor of your home, or to help your kitchen feel separate from the rest of the house.
For worktops, Barry suggests looking at the pros and cons of different materials, and lists the following:
The flooring and worktop materials you choose will have a huge impact on the look and function of your kitchen, so it pays to consider them early.
“Flooring is a fundamental aspect of your kitchen design – in fact, it’s one of the first things you should consider before you pick your colour scheme with your kitchen designer,” Barry says. One of the main things he recommends you consider is whether you want it to run throughout the ground floor of your home, or to help your kitchen feel separate from the rest of the house.
For worktops, Barry suggests looking at the pros and cons of different materials, and lists the following:
- Natural marble – undoubtedly beautiful, but porous and tends to be prone to stains.
- Granite – incredibly hard-wearing, but generally dark and busy in appearance.
- Composite stone – functional and stain-resistant, so perfect for busy households (look out for low-silica versions).
- Solid wood – eye-catching and oh-so beautiful, but requires ongoing maintenance.
- Corian – very functional and can be seamlessly integrated into the rest of your kitchen design.
4. Which appliances do you want to include?
“Your kitchen designer will guide you through all the options you need to consider,” Barry says, “but at the early stages of the design process, the main questions to think about are whether you’d prefer an eye-level oven or a range cooker, whether you want a stainless-steel, American-style fridge-freezer or prefer concealed appliances, and whether you have your eyes set on any additional appliances, such as wine coolers or steam ovens.”
If you have space for a kitchen island, Barry recommends you think about whether you want it to include a hob and/or sink, so you can use it for cooking, or whether you prefer to keep it clear for socialising with family and friends.
More: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer
“Your kitchen designer will guide you through all the options you need to consider,” Barry says, “but at the early stages of the design process, the main questions to think about are whether you’d prefer an eye-level oven or a range cooker, whether you want a stainless-steel, American-style fridge-freezer or prefer concealed appliances, and whether you have your eyes set on any additional appliances, such as wine coolers or steam ovens.”
If you have space for a kitchen island, Barry recommends you think about whether you want it to include a hob and/or sink, so you can use it for cooking, or whether you prefer to keep it clear for socialising with family and friends.
More: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer
5. What else needs updating?
As well as the kitchen cabinetry and appliances, Chris says it’s important to consider other aspects of the room, including plumbing, electrics, lighting and plastering.
“I find in discussions with clients that these elements tends to be overlooked a little,” he says. “The scope of these other works is often seriously underestimated and, more importantly, insufficient budget is allocated.”
“Another thing to chat about is whether you would consider building work to achieve your dream space,” Diane says. “Often, moving a door or a window or knocking down a wall between two rooms can really make a space work better and create a more social environment, too. Try not to close your mind to suggestions, as a kitchen is a big investment and getting it right can increase the value of your home and transform your lifestyle.”
Consider the above extras early to avoid unexpected issues later, say our experts. “The associated works can often exceed the total cost of the kitchen, which can surprise many clients,” Chris says. “So it’s good to have this conversation to appreciate what will go in to it, how long it will take and, ultimately, what the entire project will cost.”
As well as the kitchen cabinetry and appliances, Chris says it’s important to consider other aspects of the room, including plumbing, electrics, lighting and plastering.
“I find in discussions with clients that these elements tends to be overlooked a little,” he says. “The scope of these other works is often seriously underestimated and, more importantly, insufficient budget is allocated.”
“Another thing to chat about is whether you would consider building work to achieve your dream space,” Diane says. “Often, moving a door or a window or knocking down a wall between two rooms can really make a space work better and create a more social environment, too. Try not to close your mind to suggestions, as a kitchen is a big investment and getting it right can increase the value of your home and transform your lifestyle.”
Consider the above extras early to avoid unexpected issues later, say our experts. “The associated works can often exceed the total cost of the kitchen, which can surprise many clients,” Chris says. “So it’s good to have this conversation to appreciate what will go in to it, how long it will take and, ultimately, what the entire project will cost.”
6. What is your real budget?
Whether you have a ballpark budget figure in mind or a more specific amount, it pays to discuss it with your professional.
“It isn’t a question that a lot of clients like to answer, as they feel they’re giving away a crucial piece of information and the ability to bargain,” Chris says, “but budget is a crucial question.”
He explains that professionals don’t want to know this so they can adjust their price. “Instead, I ask the question because it will give me a good idea of what I’m designing, and to get to a design that maximises the potential of the room, while still within the client’s budget,” he says. “It can be a difficult conversation for some to have, but there’s little point in me designing something they love that’s far above their budget.
“Also, by having this conversation openly and frankly, we can discuss which compromises they’re willing to make and which they aren’t,” he continues. “We do not price our furniture with a mark-up just so we can offer a false discount, but we can work with a client to optimise their budget to get the best design for them.”
Whether you have a ballpark budget figure in mind or a more specific amount, it pays to discuss it with your professional.
“It isn’t a question that a lot of clients like to answer, as they feel they’re giving away a crucial piece of information and the ability to bargain,” Chris says, “but budget is a crucial question.”
He explains that professionals don’t want to know this so they can adjust their price. “Instead, I ask the question because it will give me a good idea of what I’m designing, and to get to a design that maximises the potential of the room, while still within the client’s budget,” he says. “It can be a difficult conversation for some to have, but there’s little point in me designing something they love that’s far above their budget.
“Also, by having this conversation openly and frankly, we can discuss which compromises they’re willing to make and which they aren’t,” he continues. “We do not price our furniture with a mark-up just so we can offer a false discount, but we can work with a client to optimise their budget to get the best design for them.”
7. What would make it ‘your’ kitchen?
According to Chris, the main question to ask is, “What do you want your kitchen to be like for you? For designers, a good understanding of the client’s intended use for the space has a big impact on the design criteria,” he says. “This can then lead on to appliance choice and layout decisions based on the client’s needs, as well as things such as worktop materials and flooring.
“Most clients will have given this some considerable thought prior to having any discussions with a pro, and talking to them about what they want, guiding where needed, and realising design thoughts they may have, is the most important thing,” he says, “because, ultimately, the most important outcome is that the client gets the kitchen they want.”
Tell us…
Are you planning a new kitchen? Have you asked yourself any of these questions yet? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
According to Chris, the main question to ask is, “What do you want your kitchen to be like for you? For designers, a good understanding of the client’s intended use for the space has a big impact on the design criteria,” he says. “This can then lead on to appliance choice and layout decisions based on the client’s needs, as well as things such as worktop materials and flooring.
“Most clients will have given this some considerable thought prior to having any discussions with a pro, and talking to them about what they want, guiding where needed, and realising design thoughts they may have, is the most important thing,” he says, “because, ultimately, the most important outcome is that the client gets the kitchen they want.”
Tell us…
Are you planning a new kitchen? Have you asked yourself any of these questions yet? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Before you even think about colours and materials, kitchen designer Diane Berry recommends you focus on function. “Try to build a wish list of what the room needs to do and the contents it needs in order to function,” she says.
“Ask yourself whether you want a dining-in kitchen and for how many people,” she continues. “Also, whether you need a snug space with a TV, how many sinks you want, and whether you need a waste disposal. Really try to consider all your family needs and remember the stuff such as where outdoor shoes and the vacuum cleaner will go.”
Find kitchen designers in your area, see photos of their work and read reviews from previous clients.