Beginning a Kitchen Plan

-contributed by Celticmoon  on August 3rd, 2007
When evaluating layouts for your kitchen, what matters most is whether the layout will serve you and yours, and serve the way you all are going to live in that kitchen. What works perfectly for one household would be a disaster for another.
Things to consider include:

• How many people will work food in the kitchen at the same time? Or, IOW, is this a one-butt kitchen?
• Are there any special cooking needs - and related appliances and storage - to consider? (Do you bake, microwave popcorn, keep Kosher, make espresso, grill indoors, etc.)
• Who else will use the kitchen and for what? Coffee with the neighbor, feeding the dog, little kids doing homework, big kids surfing the net, etc. Consider all the possible non-food activities as well as any users’ special needs: toddlers, elderly, physically challenged, etc.
• What is the traffic situation? Does part of the kitchen function as a passageway from one part of the home to another? Where do the groceries come in and where does the garbage go out?
• What are your storage needs? Do you shop frequently or prefer to keep a lot on hand? Do you have lots of gadgets, china, special pans, etc.
• Where are you on ‘form over function’ vs. ‘function over form’? Would you prioritize perfect point of use storage or perfect visual symmetry in the look of the cabinets?
• Is there something you want so bad (a pantry, an island, a 48? range) that you will accept a compromise such as narrow passage, less counter, etc.
• What is your budget? Is there money for structural changes like moving a window?

Thinking carefully about these things will pay off well. There are no right or wrong answers on any of these points, they just help point the way with choices and options.
When you want help with a layout on the Forum, You can post the layout and ask for help (see how to post pictures).  You can use a design program like IKEA or Chief Architect, or you can simply draw it to scale on graph paper, then scan it or take a photo.  It is critical to show the room dimensions and where the doorways lead.  Also helpful is leading off with a summary of who/what/how issues. EX: “Just me and DH, he doesn’t cook but likes to visit as I cook. I make lots of fresh foods, salads and pastas, and bake weekly. I really want separate ovens and a bake center. No traffic or storage issues. This is our forever house and we want to get it right.” Or “We have 4 kids, 5-12 years old. I need a place for them to do homework and crafts. MW is used daily. Storage and convenience are primary now. Budget is tight so no structural changes are possible. ” Adding a thumbnail like that will help folks help you here on the Forum.
And if your kitchen designer isn’t asking about these things, move on.