The First Steps To A Great Kitchen!

Designing a space for your home on your own with out the help of a professional can truly happen.  Can you believe I am suggesting that you Do It yourself? In some cases, yes I am!   Of course I love seeing and helping new clients create the space that they love coming home to, but I’m here to tell you there are always exceptions to every rule.

I think the first thing that most folks get stuck on is: Where do I start?  With so many choices every where you look it’s easy to feel over whelmed and make rash, quick decisions.  Trust me, I’ve been there years ago and that’s why I’m here in this business.  To not only help you but I  say with confidence that you can make some really great choices if you are armed with some KEY steps to get you over those design humps.

1.  The first real step is deciding on how you want the space to make you feel and going with your true style, not just what is trendy at the moment or what your neighbour down the way has in their kitchen.

My best advice to you is never go with any trends. Glass Tile back splashes are amazing, but the look will not last and you will be left with having to rip it all out in 5 years and start over possibly.  Main pieces like counters, tile and cabinets are not the time to “experiment” when it comes to trying something new. When I speak of glass tiles I am referring to really out there colours like the image down below.

While all of these tiles are really stunning, can you really know that in 5 years they will work in your space?  Also, your Personal style  can evolve/refine or could  change at any moment. I know because my personal style for my home changed this past year.  You can read all about that here if you wish. These types of experimentally changes could add dollars to your decoration or renovation budget that you just can’t afford to pay.  Your safest bet is to stick to elements that are both classic and can stand the test of time.  This is a great time to take a look at magazines and online for inspiration.  Magazine looks can be recreated in so many ways so don’t let them discourage you, let them inspire you to create your version with some help along the way.  Tag images of  kitchens that you could see yourself living in for a very long time. The estimated amount between kitchen renovations is 7-10 years roughly, so choose wisely and your efforts and money will pay off.

Subway tile, especially white is one example of a tile to you may want to give a second look when browsing for tiles for your kitchen.  It general comes two finishes  flat, and glossy.  The other option is going with different shades of subway tile. Greys, and taupes just to name a few.  They provide you the freedom to design around them without over whelming the rest of the space, but provide a really simple classic look that gets noticed!  Unless you are someone who wants to change your backsplash every 5 years, then my advice is to stick with classic neutrals and let all your colourful  accessories fill your room with colour!

2.  What type of cabinetry should you use?   Is the colour really all that important!  Yes it is!

Cabinetry,  counter tops, flooring and back splashes (if you are getting back splashes installed)  are the first choices that need to be made in the decision process so start there! As far as Cabinetry goes your main two choices are:  stained cabinets and painted cabinets.  Are  you thinking of going with Dark Cabinetry in your kitchen?  This dark brown cabinetry  and off-white counter combo really works well with the adjoining space that seems to have an abundance of light.  Dark cabinets and dark countertops significantly drain light away so keep in mind how much natural light really comes into your kitchen to make the best decision for your space.  Sometimes what we love and what we need for our spaces are two very different things. The best way is to keep them balanced.  Dark cabinets + lighter counter tops = a well-balanced kitchen.

In most cases brown cabinets go best with cream countertops and black cabinets go best with white counters,  See the examples down below.

Dark brown cabinets with creamy granite make this a winning combination.  Why?  It is balanced.

This is such a classy look don’t you think? The white counters just POP next to the black counters and the combo of mixing up the sides (black counter tops and white counters)  really make a statement!

The Mood that dark cabinets create really can sometimes out weigh light cabinets (such as white) to give your space that elegant, ‘restaurant feel’ of kitchen that most home owners want regardless if they have a passion for cooking or not.

This kitchen truly represents a tone on tone cabinet and countertop combo.  It is seamless due to all the white tones being of the same nature.

It’s no secret that I love white kitchens ( I personally have a white kitchen for the most part) and all that they represent. For me they represent clean, uncluttered  and simple brightness. What you may not know is how often I do not try persuade people into going with this idea.  For me helping you design your kitchen has nothing to do with my style, it has to be about your style.  I’m just the person to help you get where you want to be. White kitchens are just that. They are white and they do need to be cleaned and maintained  a little more often. I personally like to see my dirt, but that’s totally up to you. The pay off in the end is a really bright, open feeling kitchen no matter what size your kitchen really is.

3.  Tile, hardwood flooring, and backsplash choices are harder to choose than you think.

Your floor, backsplash and counters need to relate to each other is some way or another.  Otherwise you could have different undertones, and too many colours in one space.

This is an example for you.   One home owner that I know right now is planning on doing a reno in an older home that they recently purchased.  I’m not sure what colour the floors are, cabinets are white with brown accents and the cabinets are in desperate need to be redone or replaced.

The above left image is the shaker style cabinet that they would like to transition to, and the bottom image is their kitchen in its present state.   What I can see from the photo (without seeing it in real life),  the counters are pink and the walls are pink.  I’m not sure what type of man would want his kitchen painted pink, but who am I to judge right?  To each their own I guess?   Please, please stay away from any counter tops and back splashes that have pink undertones in them. If you are not sure what this looks like then please contact me jodi[at]simplyinspiredhome.com and I would be most happy to help you out.

All the elements of your kitchen really need to be taken into consideration for this kitchen as a whole to work.  The floors are going to be replaced at one point, the cedar paneling on the wall may or may not be painted, as well as the counter tops could see some possible renos as well.  The point I am getting to is that while as home owners we are so eager to get the process rolling, we neglect to stop to decide what is the best place to start on our kitchen rather than steam rolling ahead and in the end find out that certain aspects that we did in a rushed state or uneducated wrong order won’t work well with some of the new changes that could come our New kitchen’s way.

This family is going to do their own research and come up with their own creative ideas as how they want the space to come out.  Best of luck with that process and all the work that  is in their future!  There really is nothing more rewarding, than when you get a chance to get dirty and do the work yourself!

4.  What colour do I paint on my walls?

Once again I go back to point #3. All the elements of your design must relate to one another and the timing of them is so important.  It’s easier to pick a paint colour based on the cabinets, counters and floors but not the other way around.  Paint should be picked last and all the other accessories as well.  With hundreds and hundreds of colour choices today, when it comes to finding a paint colour to coordinate with your space I’m very confident that you will be able to find one.

How light plays a part in your individual kitchen drastically changes the outcome of the colour or Colour Chip that you have brought home. Also please remember that the sample that you have brought home is just a printed sample and not actual paint, so the colour will not be exact when you get that first coat on your walls.  Different directions that sun comes in your home and the undertones of the paint you have chosen all play a very Vital role in the outcome of how it will actually turn out.

5.  Above all,  the whole design process should be fun and not a stressful event.

If it is,  just slow down and take some time to think and breath.  I know many moments we can get caught up in the whirl wind of trying to accomplish too many things that our schedule just doesn’t allow.  If you feel over whelmed and don’t quite feel confident in some of your choices then may be an hour or two session is all you need to confidently move forward.  Remember,  savings from hiring some who is experienced out weighs the costly mistakes of going solo and possibly making expensive mistakes.  If you are doing your kitchen on a budget like most of us, then you know very well that you  don’t have extra cash to waste!  Above all, work with someone who you respect and don’t settle.  They will care about every aspect about your home all the way to helping you decide how your decorating dollars can be best spent.

Follow these 5 tips and….

In the end you will come out with a Great Kitchen!