Planning A New Kitchen Layout & Design
Like most DIY kitchen renovators, you have probably gotten to the point where you need a drawing of your new kitchen layout. You probably are also trying to figure out what style or design to go with for your kitchen’s face-lift.
When I started doing this with my own house, I found that it could be frustrating and stressful, trying to fit all-the-things into the amount of space I had to work with. My kitchen was an especially tricky spot due to incorporating the things my husband wanted in the space as well.
As frustrating as this can be, it can also be very fun! Several times, I surprised myself with arrangements because I let loose and played around with the space. Many people have their ideas and opinions about where you should place appliances, how much cabinet space you should have, and the importance of having or not having an island. They might even press upon you the need to get a professional to do all the leg work of designing your new kitchen.
However, hiring someone is definitely not a necessity. Maybe when you get into tearing things down or when you come across a sticky spot, hiring someone would be the best idea, but designing the layout and look of your new kitchen is something you can definitely do on your own.
I’m going to show you exactly how!
What You Will Need
There are some basic materials that I use when I design spaces-I don’t always try to use an app, sometimes I actually prefer the old fashion way. Below is a list of materials to consider using to design the layout of your kitchen.
Graph/Grid Paper
Ruler
Pencil
Colored Pencils or markers
Measurements
Let’s look more closely at that last one.
Here are some basic measurements you will need to get your design as close to accurate as possible.
The Fridge
The Stove
The Sink
The Dishwasher
The Windows
The Walls
Light Fixtures
Outlets and Switches Locations
The Walkway (This refers to the space you walk between counters, mostly the wall counter and the island. The current standard space size is 48 inches or 4 feet. I have seen some kitchens where they did 3 feet, but 4 allows 2 people to move comfortably, in the kitchen, at the same time.)
Let’s Draw Up The Layout
Once you have all of the materials, you can start drawing!
Here are some tips to consider while you draw your layout.
Pre-make your appliance measurements. Use a sheet of grid paper to measure out the size of your appliances. Then cut them out so you can easily rearrange them on your drawing!
Be consistent with your measurements and unit. If 2 grid boxes is equaling 1 foot then you need to keep that unit consistent within the rest of your design. Your appliances will need to be drawn to that scale. Your windows, cabinets, and island will all need to be to scale.
Be aware of your plumbing lines. If you want the renovation to be as cheap as possible, you will want to keep your plumbing where it is or close to where it is. This means that your sink, dishwasher, and possibly your fridge might need to stay close to where they currently are.
Just be conscious of the space you have to work with. Things may appear bigger or smaller on paper than they do in real life.
I offer several templates-like ones for the above section and much more in my Kitchen Renovations Workbook. Check it out!
Picking A Design
There certainly is no short supply of kitchen design inspiration out there. That being said, don’t feel you need to copy a design exactly for your kitchen to look great. Many professional designers, like Joanna Gaines, love to mix and match styles and designs. So get creative and most importantly don’t forget to incorporate little personal touches to really bring out the beauty and homeyness of your space.
In case you are unsure of where to look for inspiration, here are some places you can check out.
Pinterest (By far my favorite go-to place for design ideas)
Store Catalogs (This allows you to see what is actually available to you. Some stores may even have similar displays that you can check out and compare)
Google (I know this one seems a little too obvious, but be careful not to fall into the abyss of the Google search!)
There You Have It!
Use all of these tools and you will be on your way to designing your own dream kitchen without paying a professional to do it!
~MeganRelated Posts:
If you are dying to get started on your dream kitchen then consider getting my Kitchen Renovation Workbook. It will have everything you need to make your remodeling that much easier. It is super simple to follow and hardly time-consuming. Once completed, you’ll be able to use it as your guide and support throughout your entire project!
Subscribe below and get your FREE Kitchen Renovation Workbook!
I can’t wait to see how you use your workbook and the results of your kitchen remodel!
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