When you’re designing the kitchen of your dreams, it’s so important to make smart decisions! I always walk my clients through the key things to consider as they think about what they want and need in this room. So what are the smartest investments you can make in the kitchen? I have 4 things that make a huge difference!

1. Floors

The floors in a kitchen get a BIG workout! Not only is this one of the most popular rooms for people to hang out in - which means a lot of foot traffic - but the things that can be dropped on a kitchen floor can be heavy. Kitchen floors need to be workhorses that can hold up to anything, so I always suggest that you spend as much as you can on good quality materials that will be functional AND beautiful. The Ann Sacks tile floor I designed for a London flat (above) is a perfect example.

2. Cabinets

Cabinetry is so important in a kitchen. You should have plenty of storage for everything you need, and I always recommend custom cabinetry for items that you reach for all the time, or pieces that are large or bulky. In the kitchen above, I designed an appliance garage to hide away all of the small appliances. It keeps the counters clean, but makes those appliances easy to reach and to use.

3. Counters

Counter tops are another surface that gets a lot of wear and tear in a kitchen. Based on how you’ll use this room, you want to select the right material that will definitely hold up to whatever you and your family will throw at it (hopefully not literally!). Think about things like if you’re used to setting hot pans right on a counter; if there might be wine spills occasionally; and if you want to chop vegetables right on the counter surface. And be sure to share that info with your designer and contractor!

4. Appliances

When selecting appliances, you want to once again consider how you use a kitchen. If you love to entertain or you collect wine, a wine fridge would be a great investment. If you love to bake, you might want a steam oven in addition to a usual oven. Or if you love to craft gourmet meals, a fabulous range could be on your list. But as with anything else, you always want to buy the highest quality that your budget allows!

Use these ideas to make smart investments in your kitchen renovation!

Warmly,

Beth