Question Checklist: What to Consider Before a Kitchen Remodel

We are sharing these questions to ask yourself from our partners at the National Association for the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Going through this checklist will help you prep for a kitchen remodel, and help you plan the most efficient kitchen for your lifestyle and cooking habits. These questions guide you through how you currently use your kitchen, and how you would like to use your kitchen. 

Start the process of evaluating a new kitchen for your home:

MEAL PREP:

• Do you enjoy cooking or is your kitchen more a gathering place than a gourmet retreat?

• What type of pots and pans do you own? (You won't want to buy a 14,000 BTU commercial range if you have pots and pans from a discount store.)

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  How do you prepare a meal? Do you use every pot and pan in the kitchen or do you simply tear open a box and toss it into the microwave?

• On average, how many cooks use the kitchen at one time? (If you have multiple cooks in the kitchen, you may want to create separate work zones for more efficient use of the space.)

• Are you a baker who would benefit from a lower counter or island? Do you require a fair amount of counter space for kneading and rolling out pie crusts and pastries?

• Is there a certain style cuisine you prepare that requires storage for special ingredients, such as varying sizes of pasta or exotic spices and oils, or storage for specialized utensils?

• Do you entertain? How often? Do you prepare the meals yourself or do you have them catered?

FAMILY:

• If the kitchen is a gathering spot, is there room for family or friends who are not involved in the meal preparation? Is that space convenient and comfortable for everyone?

• Would a family desk be helpful in this space? If so, do you need to make accommodations for a computer, such as additional outlets or cable lines?

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  Do you have children or teens that will be using the kitchen? If so, would it be helpful to have a separate area in the kitchen dedicated to sodas and snack preparation?

• Have you taken safety issues into consideration? (This would apply not only to children in the kitchen, but also to elderly family members). Would some universally designed features such as multiple counter heights be helpful? Would an oven with a lock-out feature, to prevent use while you are away, ease your mind? Think about other safety concerns keeping your particular family composition and capabilities in mind.)

• Does your family eat together often? If so, do you want an eat-in kitchen? How many would you need to seat? Do you have enough room for all of them?

• Does your family typically eat together or are meals scattered among family members coming home at different times? Many times different schedules may mean a need for a warming drawer which keeps food warm throughout the evening, or that an eat-in kitchen is not a priority.

FEATURES:

• Is the lighting in the room sufficient? Do you need additional task lighting or more light in general?

• If you entertain, would you benefit from dual appliances such as stoves, refrigerators or dishwashers?

• Is everything currently in the kitchen in working order?

• Have you considered the energy savings afforded by newer, energy-efficient appliances? (The appliances you choose can affect the layout and measurements of your remodel). Check out our blog on 5 Components of a Long-Lasting Kitchen.

STORAGE: 

• What type of entertaining accessories and servingware will you need to store?

• How do you shop? If you buy in bulk, do you have enough storage space?

• Are you storing any kitchen-related items in closets or rooms outside of the kitchen? Perhaps some china in a hall closet or dining room hutch? If so, do you want to continue storing these items outside of the kitchen or would you like additional storage for these items in the kitchen?

• Have you made an inventory of the types of kitchen items you need to store to determine efficient placement and adequate storage space?

This is only the start of our personalized Design/Build process that helps to create a plan focused on what will work for your home, family, and budget. Contact us to ask any questions or to get started on your project!