Must-Have Kitchen Features for Your Maryland or DC Home

While the promise of renovating your kitchen is exciting, it does present a different kind of problem. What do you do when there are just too many options? There are so many things to do, where do you start? 

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, does the idea of sorting through hundreds of choices get your heart pumping? Or is it a bit overwhelming? 

The design-build team at Winthorpe knows how stressful the selection process can be, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. From our first meeting, we take our time to get to know your likes and dislikes so we can narrow down your choices and make it an easy and pleasant undertaking. 

Before we dive right in, we’ve compiled a brief list of must-have considerations for any kitchen remodel. Have a look and tell us what you think. 

Think About What You’ve Already Got

Before you think about where you’re going, consider where you’re at right now. How does your kitchen function? Where is there the most traffic, and what parts are underutilized? What do you like? What do you hate? And perhaps most importantly – think carefully about why you like or dislike a feature. 

How could your kitchen be better suited to your lifestyle? What are you missing? 

For example, maybe you don’t have a dishwasher, or your family simply produces too many dishes to clean in one load. Consequently, you spend a lot of time washing dishes, and family members standing at the sink makes the room seem cramped and inadequate. 

You might conclude that you want either, a) a second dishwasher, and/or b) better access to the sink and more space to accommodate traffic flow. We can address both of these in a remodel, but one might be easier and less expensive than the other. 

Considering your needs and how best to serve them are crucial here. It’s the first step to knowing how you’ll achieve the result you want. As much as your remodel is about design, it’s also very much about its function and how it will best serve you and your family.

Points To Consider

Here are a few key points to think about before finalizing your new kitchen design:  

• Do I want to change the size of the kitchen?
• Do I want to move or add any windows, doors, or walls?
• Do I want to change the arrangement of my appliances, and if so, will it require work to the gas, water, or electrical?
• Do I want any additional electrical outlets or USB ports?
• What about storage? Will I need a pantry, more cabinets, or under-counter storage?
• Do I want to add or modify a kitchen island?
• Is my kitchen well-lit?
• Do I want a new tile or backsplash?
• Do I want to change the style and décor of my kitchen? 

Next, think about what kinds of materials you want to use. There are a few factors that come into play here—aesthetic style, durability, ease of maintenance, and of course, budget. 

Meeting With Your Contractor

When you first meet with your contractor, you should be able to provide us with some ideas for your must-have items. A wish list is important to have. Even if we can’t deliver on every detail, if we understand what you’re going for, we can get it as close to your vision as it can be for your budget. 

Here are some things we will ask about:

• Will you be installing new appliances? If you are passionate about cooking, investing in commercial-grade appliances might be a good idea
• Do you need custom-built cabinetry or additional storage? What are your storage needs?
• What size and shape do you want your sink to be? Do you need more than one? What kind of faucets do you prefer? 
• Lighting choices, including recessed lighting and hanging lights
• Countertops
• Fixtures and hardware preferences, including door knobs
• Range hood
• Wall treatments including wallpaper, paint, and backsplash
• Floorings like hardwood, tile, and laminate 

If thinking about all these items gives you a headache, don’t worry! Break it into chunks for easy consumption. As you go about your day, make mental notes about your kitchen as they come up. This can help compartmentalize the work and your thoughts so that it doesn’t overwhelm you. 

Once you’ve considered all these questions, it may be time for you to get going with your design. Bring your wish list to Winthorpe and let our team help you bring your new kitchen to life.