If you’re making plans to remodel the kitchen of your home or rental property, you’ve no doubt already envisioned what the final space will look like. A key part of that vision, as one might expect, are the new counter tops and cabinets. But, just how should you go about making sure your choices match and look good in your future kitchen?
In this article, we’ll walk you through the start of the design process and everything you need to consider. Whether you’re looking for granite slab countertops in Phoenix, you can use this article to kick off your project and start brainstorming ideas.
Select a style
When it comes to kitchens, there are several prominent style motifs. If you’ve ever watched a home remodeling TV show, you’ve no doubt heard of a few of them. “Farmhouse” kitchens have a throwback, rustic style that emphasizes natural wood colors, vintage fixtures and features, and a return to the kitchens of yesteryear. Their stylistic contrast, contemporary kitchens, are sleek, modern, and value straightforward simplicity over warmth and extravagance. Another popular style, “Classic,” pairs the timeless modernity of the contemporary kitchen with some of the more inviting elements of the farmhouse style.
These arbitrary categories are not the end-all, be-all of your kitchen design. In actuality, you can mix-and-match what you like from each, or go in an entirely new and different direction. However, if you’re gravitating to a particular style, it can help you find things that go together and give your kitchen designer a starting point.
Find the focal point
If everything in your kitchen is trying to be visually interesting, then nothing will truly stand out. Pairing colorful cabinets with rich counter tops, a wild backslash, and bright wall paint is just too much. It’s okay for some elements of your kitchen to just be. Design professionals recommend you have either the counter tops or the cabinets be the star of the show—but not both.
For example, if you want deep, natural grain wood cabinets, consider pairing them with a simple white or off-white quartz so that they are what draws the eye in. Going in the other direction, the beautiful, natural veins of granite go well with white or light grey cabinets.
Work with a design professional
Many homeowners put off their kitchen remodel for years. It’s a big project with a lot of moving parts. To be honest, nailing down these design choices can be intimidating. Many people just don’t know where to start their journey.
This is where working with a professional kitchen designer or experienced contractor can really help. A professional can get your ideas out in the open, and then pair your vision for your kitchen with real world options and materials. Designers have a knack for being able to see the big picture and how everything works together. After all, a kitchen is more than just the counters and cabinets: your choice of flooring, backslash, appliances, lighting, sinks, and more all need to work together.
If you’re just getting started, we recommend you talk to a professional designer in your area to start translating your ideas into a realistic plan that fits within your budget. Also, be sure to take a look at this helpful info graphic from Superior Stone & Cabinet, a Phoenix granite, quartz, and cabinet wholesaler. It contains examples of the three style motifs mentioned above, as well as ideal color and style pairings.
