Tag: kitchen designer

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Kitchen

Kitchen Remodel: How to Determine Your Kitchen Style

kitchen cabinetry

This article will help answer one of the most common questions our kitchen designers are asked: “How do I determine my kitchen style?”

Deciding what style you want your new kitchen to be is something that should be done prior to your first meeting with the kitchen designer. Understanding what type of kitchen style you desire will help your designer make the most suitable recommendations for many components of your kitchen including:

  • Colors
  • Countertop material
  • Cabinet material and style
  • Hardware
  • Lighting
  • Seating
  • Flooring
  • Wood type and finishes
  • Backsplash
  • Shelving
  • Sink style
  • Accessories

Popular Kitchen Styles

When comparing kitchen styles, think about your family’s needs and lifestyle as well as the overall design of your home. Do you want to reflect the rest of your home’s style or do you want something completely different? Take your time and explore all your options, because as JoAnn Lyles, Certified Kitchen Designer at Riverhead Building Supply says, the “kitchen is the most important space in your home.”

Here are some popular kitchen styles you may want to consider:

Modern

The modern kitchen is sleek and elegant. The cabinets have a minimalist look and simple hardware. Modern kitchens typically possess a monochromatic neutral hue but may have stainless steel lighting and appliances, wood accents or an accessory in a bold pop of color.

Rustic

The rustic kitchen evokes the feeling of being in a mountain lodge. Reclaimed wood, wrought iron, and antiques are often found in this type of kitchen. Wood cabinets, hardwood floors, and ceiling beams create a space that has a weathered, lived-in look that is warm and welcoming.

Traditional

Traditional kitchens incorporate designs that are characteristic of American or European homes from the 18th through early 20th centuries. Curved lines, decorative moldings, wainscoting, and raised panel cabinets are some of the distinctive features of this classic and sophisticated kitchen style.

Farmhouse

Homey and comfortable farmhouse kitchens often feature knotty wood floors or slate floors, hardwood cabinets in white or warm tones, open shelving, and an apron front sink. Large areas for food preparation and eating are characteristic of the farmhouse kitchen and make the space ideal for entertaining.

Cottage

Cottage kitchens unite white or bright colors with vintage-style details and decorative touches to create an inviting and cheerful space for food preparation and serving.  This charming style may also feature open shelving, wood countertops and flooring, and hand-painted accents.

How to find inspiration

Home design magazines, Pinterest, YouTube, our website and the Houzz app, are excellent resources for researching kitchen styles. Or you can simply do a quick Google search for “kitchen designs” and you’ll immediately be presented with photo-rich websites that describe and detail virtually every type of kitchen style. There are also fun online quizzes you can take that can help you choose the style that best fits your preferences and lifestyle.

Riverhead Building Supply’s Kitchen Designers all recommend bringing any magazine clippings and links to photos you like to your first meeting with the designer. Many of our Designers suggest that while looking through the photos, be sure “to note what you like about each kitchen.”  Be specific. Is it the colors? The lighting? The cabinets? The overall look?  The more information you share with the designer, the easier it will be for them to understand your likes and dislikes and create a kitchen design targeted to your taste and aspirations.
 

Questions to ask yourself

If you still aren’t sure which kitchen style is right for you or are a bit overwhelmed by all your options, here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • What kind of countertop material do you like? Granite, wood, quartz, marble, etc.
  • Do you prefer furniture with straight lines or more curves and embellishments?
  • What kind of vibe do you want your kitchen to have? Laid-back, formal, fun, cool, etc.
  • Do you like colors and patterns or a monochromatic look?
  • What type of light fixtures do you like? Crystal chandelier, steel pendant lights, recessed, Tiffany-style, etc.
  • Do you like open shelving or cabinets?
  • Do you want your kitchen to reflect the architectural style of your home?

 
Answering these questions can guide you toward the dream kitchen design that you will be happy with for years to come.

Categories
Kitchen

Kitchen Remodel: Working with a Kitchen Designer

how to get started on your kitchen remodel- working with a kitchen design expert

A kitchen renovation may seem daunting – but don’t be overwhelmed. Riverhead Building Supply is here to offer you the best advice in the industry when it comes to planning and navigating through the design process. And who better to ask than the experts? We have asked each of our Riverhead Building Supply Kitchen Designers to share their experience and the best practices for each stage in the planning process. At Riverhead Building Supply, we pride ourselves on not only providing the finest products but on making sure you have the best kitchen remodeling experience possible.

Enjoy The Ride – What a kitchen renovation should be!

The kitchen is the hub of the house. Does your kitchen work for your current lifestyle needs? If not, it might be time for a kitchen renovation. Kitchen renovations are one of the most popular types of home improvements. A kitchen renovation is YOUR chance to finally have the kitchen of your dreams. The experience of remodeling your kitchen should be a fun and amazing experience. You are in the captain’s chair and can finally make the space everything YOU want it to be. Riverhead Building Supply recommends choosing a kitchen designer as the first step of a kitchen remodel.

How to Find the Right Kitchen Designer

The kitchen designer will set the stage for your kitchen renovation process, so it is important you work with someone who is the right fit and with whom you feel comfortable and confident. A kitchen designer can help you put all the elements of your kitchen together, which include everything from cabinet and countertop materials to hardware, flooring, lighting, plumbing, appliances and more.
RBS Kitchen Designer Barry Gano suggests that you interview different kitchen designers and look for someone who will “listen to your wants, needs and budget.” Ask for referrals and view photos of each designer’s past work. Find someone you connect with and who has experience with your type of project.

What to Expect When Working with a Kitchen Designer

Once you select your kitchen designer, you can expect a series of meetings. Here’s a breakdown of the typical process:

  1. Your First Meeting

JoAnn Lyles, Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) said that during a first meeting with a client, “I will ask you good questions that make you think about your family needs, your lifestyle, your storage needs, cooking style, and your pets. All of these elements are intertwined in designing YOUR kitchen, which is the most important space in your home.”

Nelson Schneider, kitchen designer, said the first meeting with a client lasts about 60-90 minutes, “as this is a comfortable length of time for them so they don’t feel overwhelmed with the design process.”
“I take notes as we speak, writing down their wants and needs,” he added. “When I am doing their design I make a conscious effort to incorporate these desires into the design using my knowledge and creative ideas.”
“I am a good listener, so when meeting with my customer I pay attention to what they are saying. I ask a lot of questions to discover their lifestyle and family life. I explore the reasons why they want a new kitchen and what they are expecting from their new kitchen.”

“Think about what doesn’t feel right in your kitchen. If you have measurements, bring those and a list of appliances you are hoping to incorporate…”

What Should You Bring

Having a clear understanding of what is important to you will help your first meeting with a kitchen designer be productive. Here are some thought starters:

      • What is your lifestyle? Do you have children? Love to entertain? Are you a baker?
      • How many cooks do you typically have in your kitchen?
      • What are your frustrations with your current kitchen?
      • Is there any wasted space?
      • Is lack of storage a concern?
      • Do you experience workflow congestion when preparing meals?
      • How often do you prepare big meals? Daily, weekends only, holidays, etc.?
      • Think of your needs now, as well as what you may require in the future.

Share Your Vision

Lyles suggests bringing aspirational Houzz or Pinterest photos as well as any magazine clippings to the first meeting. In addition, she said, “Think about what doesn’t feel right in your kitchen. If you have measurements, bring those and a list of appliances you are hoping to incorporate… All of these things are very helpful to get started on a great design that works well for you.”

Barry Gano also recommends starting a Houzz or Pinterest board with your favorite pictures. Make a note of what you like about each kitchen design element such as the look, lighting, colors, etc. Share these with your designer.
Schneider had similar advice. “I ask clients to bring any materials they have collected in their search for a new kitchen or project.”

The Walk-Through with Your Designer

Your designer may want you to meet first at their office, or the designer might come to your home. The first time your designer visits your home is when they will be introduced to your kitchen. This is the opportunity to share your likes and dislikes. Your designer will take all of the pertinent measurements they will need to build your design. Have fun brainstorming ideas together!

  1. The Big Reveal – unveiling your dream kitchen design

You’ll have several meetings with your kitchen designer. Each one progressing closer to your dream kitchen. Once the designer presents your new kitchen design, you’ll have an opportunity to review your layout, floor plan and design elements and make final changes.

  1. The Final Meeting – reviewing your order

Once all the changes are made, you’ll get a final review of all the layout and design features you discussed during the planning phases. Your designer will draft the order and agreement and present you with a contract for you to sign. This will also be the time where you will place the deposit for your order, walk through the delivery timeline and finalize scheduling with your contractor.

Renovating your kitchen is an exciting endeavor. Be sure to read our upcoming blogs in the series which will detail the kitchen remodeling timeline and give you tips on planning your budget, choosing your kitchen style, and more.

Riverhead Building Supply

Riverhead Building Supply