Kitchen Renovation - Please help me start!

[Anonymous]

We are starting drawings with an architect and some big decision points are coming up. I am finding myself uncharacteristically paralyzed with decision fear. What is the best way to get started?

--Do you start with a color scheme? I know I want "light" but do I have to decide white/ cream/ light grey etc now? How much does the kitchen have to go with the rest of the house?
-- We are keeping most appliances so know all appliances will be stainless. I have a Thermador 6 burner stove that i love and am keeping, but want a new hood.
-- How to decide on cabinet style? How do you know if and where a few glass cabinets look best?
-- Flooring and counter tops will all be new -- how to make decisions here? Backsplash tile is killing me...I know the white subway look is popular but it seems so boring, and yet those kitchens are beautiful!

I know I'm rambling ... sorry about that! I have looked at hundreds of pictures and can find things I like about so many of them. Just too many options Any advice on what worked for you is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

If you love subway tile, go for it. I think it's classic.

Is the layout of the kitchen set? I would think about how big the kitchen is and let that help color and cabinetry choices, e.g., you may not want dark cabinets in a small kitchen.

In terms of color schemes, what would coordinate with the rest of the house or level that the kitchen's on?

[Anonymous]

A good kitchen designer can really help with a lot of these things.

[Anonymous]

You need to be working with a kitchen designer.

[Anonymous]

Remember that you don't have to reinvent the wheel! Buy some kitchen design books/magazines and start going through them. Or browse the kitchen photos at Gardenweb or Houzz. Find a few pictures you really like and replicate the look.

As far as cabinet style is concerned, it's hard to go wrong with shaker right now. Flat panel is good if you prefer a modern look. I'd stay away from raised panel, which is looking dated these days.

[Anonymous]

Seconding Gardenweb (which I guess is now part of Houzz?).

Also seconding going through books and magazines to see what catches your eye -- just tear things out or slap post-its on them, or create a pinterest board.

It will make meeting with a kitchen designer much more productive.

[Anonymous]

We just redid our kitchen this last year and it can be overwhelming. If you are stuck on style and finishes right now, put off those decisions until later in the process. Focus on layout and function first. On the design side, I found it easier to start with the countertop. Once I found the stone I was in love with, I built around that. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

We redid ours ourselves last year. We first picked out the cabinets and that narrowed down a lot of things. We're HUGE cooks though and knew exactly what we always wanted for arrangement. Things we're extremely happy with:

-Viking range with griddle. Use it nightly
-100% drawers underneath
-pull out trash cans
-prep sink that's extremely deep. It's perfect for straining pasta or washing hands.

[Anonymous]

1. keep the plumbing, electrical, gas in the same place
2. moving them could affect many things.
3. some things you don't know until stuff is removed
4. get neutral cabinets - nothing trendy in composition, color, stain, or door style
5. follow the advice on countertop material.
6. ignore any backsplash until the project is completed. Then pick paint and backsplashes- look at the samples in all light. If possible take a piece of wallboard with your paint and a smaple door when you pick out the counters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. keep the plumbing, electrical, gas in the same place
2. moving them could affect many things.
3. some things you don't know until stuff is removed
4. get neutral cabinets - nothing trendy in composition, color, stain, or door style
5. follow the advice on countertop material.
6. ignore any backsplash until the project is completed. Then pick paint and backsplashes- look at the samples in all light. If possible take a piece of wallboard with your paint and a smaple door when you pick out the counters.

+1 on the backsplash. We just finished ours and EVERYONE wanted to do our backsplash too. But when we were done, it was a completely different vibe and we chose things we wouldn't have chosen before. Wait on it!

[Anonymous]

Go through Houzz and Pinterest and bookmark the kitchens you love. Then narrow them down, print them out in color, and look for the common themes. That's your taste. You'll get a sense for where glass-fronts look good, why white subway looks great sometimes but boring and sterile at other times, etc.

+1 on Shaker cabinets.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you all so much!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are starting drawings with an architect and some big decision points are coming up. I am finding myself uncharacteristically paralyzed with decision fear. What is the best way to get started?

--Do you start with a color scheme? I know I want "light" but do I have to decide white/ cream/ light grey etc now? How much does the kitchen have to go with the rest of the house?
-- We are keeping most appliances so know all appliances will be stainless. I have a Thermador 6 burner stove that i love and am keeping, but want a new hood.
-- How to decide on cabinet style? How do you know if and where a few glass cabinets look best?
-- Flooring and counter tops will all be new -- how to make decisions here? Backsplash tile is killing me...I know the white subway look is popular but it seems so boring, and yet those kitchens are beautiful!

I know I'm rambling ... sorry about that! I have looked at hundreds of pictures and can find things I like about so many of them. Just too many options Any advice on what worked for you is appreciated.

None of your questions will be answered by an architect. Your questions are better asked of a kitchen designer. The architect is going to lay out the walls. The KD is going to fill it appropriately.