Getting Started

Making the Right Choices for Your Kitchen

When creating a kitchen, you first must decide:

• What styles appeal to you
• What items you must have
• How much you want to spend
• When you want it to be done
• What size and shape you prefer

Every kitchen has the same basic design elements:

• Cabinets
• Appliances
• Countertops
• Flooring
• Sinks and faucets
• Walls, ceilings, windows, moldings and other architectural details

But consider these factors when selecting products that will affect your kitchen's look and functionality:

• The architectural style of your home—by making your home’s interior reflect its exterior, you bring continuity to the whole structure.
• Your needs—perhaps you want space to cook big family meals, you’re an at-home gourmet, or you have special accessibility concerns.
• Your cabinets’ door style and color will have the most impact on your new kitchen’s palette by making the strongest visual statement.
• Appliances also deserve top billing. Which ones you select and where you put them will determine how cook-friendly your layout is.

Finally, you’ll want to choose complementary countertops, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and architectural details. Don’t try to get everything to match exactly. You can give your kitchen a personal feel by making sure everything coordinates but still keeps its own character.