Design Your Kitchen
Designing a kitchen starts with more than cabinet color and style. To create a layout that looks good, functions well, and fits the space correctly, a kitchen designer needs clear information about the room, appliances, storage needs, and installation conditions.
You do not need a perfect drawing to get started. In many cases, a simple sketch, basic measurements, and a few photos are enough for an initial review.
Basic Room Measurements
A designer needs the size and shape of the kitchen to understand how much space is available for cabinets, appliances, walkways, and storage.
Helpful information includes:
- The width of each wall where cabinets will be installed
- The ceiling height
- The location and size of windows and doors
- The location of electrical outlets, switches, and panels
- Corner dimensions if the layout includes corner cabinets
Measurements should be taken from wall to wall, from floor to ceiling, and from each corner to nearby doors and windows.
Accurate measurements help avoid problems with cabinet sizing, filler panels, and clearance around appliances.
Appliance Sizes and Locations
Appliance dimensions affect cabinet sizes and layout options. A designer needs to know where each appliance is located and how much space it requires.
Important appliance information includes:
- Refrigerator: width, depth, and height, including door swing clearance
- Range or cooktop: width and type (freestanding, slide-in, or built-in)
- Oven: single or double, and whether it is built-in or part of the range
- Dishwasher: width and location relative to the sink
- Microwave: over-the-range, built-in, or countertop
- Any other appliances that will be built into the cabinetry
If you are purchasing new appliances, try to confirm the model numbers before finalizing the cabinet layout so the cabinets can be sized correctly.
If you are keeping existing appliances, measure the current ones and note any changes in size or location that the new layout will need to accommodate.
Appliance locations also affect electrical and plumbing requirements. Let the designer know if you are planning to move any appliances to a new location.
Sink and Plumbing Information
The location of the existing plumbing determines where the sink cabinet will go. Moving the plumbing is possible but adds cost and coordination with a plumber.
Helpful information includes:
- The current location of the sink and drain
- Whether you plan to keep the sink in the same location or move it
- The size of the sink you plan to use, if you are replacing it
If you are moving the sink, note this in advance so the cabinet layout can account for the new plumbing location and the cabinet under the sink can be planned accordingly.
Let the designer know if you are planning to add a kitchen island with a sink, as this affects both the cabinet and plumbing layout.
Cabinet Style and Finish Preferences
The cabinet style and finish you choose affects the overall look of the kitchen and the options available within your budget.
Common questions that help narrow down style options include:
- Do you prefer a modern, traditional, or transitional style?
- What is your preferred color range: white, gray, wood tones, or bold colors?
- Do you have a preference for door style: shaker, flat panel, raised panel?
- Are there specific cabinet lines or styles you have seen and liked?
You can browse available cabinet styles on our cabinet styles page or visit our Chicago showroom to see samples in person before deciding.
If you are unsure about style, bringing photos from design websites or magazines can help communicate the look you want.
Storage Goals
Understanding how you use your kitchen helps the designer choose cabinet configurations that match your actual storage needs.
Helpful information includes:
- How many people live in the household
- How frequently you cook and what types of cooking you do
- Whether you prefer more drawers or more door cabinets
- Whether you need a pantry cabinet or extra tall cabinet
- Whether you want space for small appliances on the countertop or stored inside cabinets
If you have specific items that need dedicated storage, such as a stand mixer, a large pot collection, or a trash pull-out, mention these so the layout can include them.
Storage goals also affect the number of base cabinets versus wall cabinets and the overall cabinet count for the kitchen.
Existing Conditions That Affect Installation
Some kitchens have existing conditions that affect cabinet layout or installation.
Examples include:
- uneven walls
- soffits
- radiators
- vents
- pipes
- low windows
- sloped ceilings
- floors that are out of level
These details can affect filler sizes, cabinet heights, and installation options.
Existing Conditions That Affect Installation
Photos are extremely helpful, even when measurements are provided.
Good photos help confirm:
- room shape
- appliance placement
- windows and doors
- plumbing and electrical locations
- unusual obstacles
One photo per wall is usually enough for an initial review.
Your Budget and Project Goals
A designer does not need an exact number to get started, but knowing the general budget range helps focus the design on options that are realistic for the project.
It also helps to know whether the kitchen is for personal use, a rental property, or a property being prepared for sale, as this affects the style and cabinet quality recommendations.
If you have a project timeline or move-in date, share that as well so the designer can recommend cabinet options that are available within your timeframe.
For rental properties, the designer may recommend more durable, lower-maintenance cabinet finishes that hold up better to tenant use.
A Simple Sketch Is Often Enough to Start
A hand-drawn sketch showing the general shape of the kitchen, wall widths, and the locations of windows, doors, and appliances is often sufficient to begin the layout process. The sketch does not need to be to scale or professionally drawn.
Add your measurements directly to the sketch and label the key elements. This gives the designer a working reference without requiring formal architectural drawings.
The More Complete the Information, the Better the Result
The more complete the information provided upfront, the more accurate the initial layout and cabinet list will be. Missing information often leads to revisions, delays, and changes that could have been avoided.