Designer Tips to Designing the Perfect Kitchen with Lisa Mende

Is there such a thing as the perfect kitchen? The way one person cooks, stores food, entertains, or lives in a kitchen can be so different from the next that designing the perfect one feels like a daunting task. Today, as homeowners, we have more resources at our fingertips than any previous generation, giving even a novice design enthusiast the confidence to choose bold color palettes or to create the all-white kitchen complete with Calcutta gold countertops. But when it comes to actually designing a kitchen, this is when it pays to call in a pro, or at least study tips from a professional kitchen designer. There is a real difference between mimicking a kitchen design online and designing a kitchen that functions for how you truly live, and that difference is what sets a well-designed kitchen apart from one that is merely pretty. Every designer has their jumping-off points for kitchen design, and mine are relatively straightforward.

My Designer Steps to the Perfect Kitchen

For me, it all starts with function. The kitchen is the heart of the home, and I truly believe it sets the tone for the entire house. It's where families gather for meals, and that time is sacred. If you aren't a designer and can't afford to hire one to help with your kitchen remodel, what do you do? There are five key steps I follow to design the perfect kitchen for my clients, and if you are planning your kitchen design yourself, you can follow the same steps. Take a deep dive approach into each level to find your own path to a kitchen that is not only designed to meet your needs but also genuinely well designed.

The first and foremost step when designing a kitchen is choosing your appliances.

Cabinetry can't be planned until the appliances are picked. Do you prefer a cooktop or a range? Do you need two dishwashers, or will one suffice? Will you forego the microwave for the hot new steam oven? Appliance selection shapes every cabinet decision that follows, so it truly has to come first. What is the best way to select appliances for your kitchen? I always send my clients to a local appliance showroom to meet with a specialist. If you are not working with a designer, call your local showroom and schedule a meeting with their appliance expert. A good specialist will listen to how you cook and live, then direct you to the options that best fit your needs and your kitchen layout.

The second item to consider when designing a kitchen is the layout or floor plan of your space.

When designing for new construction, you have the opportunity to control the limits of the space. With a kitchen remodel, the scope is somewhat defined. Either way, you must determine how to design the space to function for the people living in it. Key things to consider are work areas intended for prepping, cooking, cleanup, and storage. As a designer, the kitchen layout and work triangle are central to everything I do. Today's kitchen designs may incorporate two or even three work triangles with the introduction of double islands and multiple refrigerators or dishwashers meant to accommodate those who love to entertain.

The work triangle is under much debate, but I like to think of larger kitchens today as designed into work zones. The primary work zone might be the sink, range, and refrigerator, but many kitchens today have several. For example, one might have a food storage zone, a prep zone, a cooking zone, and a cleanup zone. Whether you are a short-order cook or a gourmet cook will help determine the functionality you need. The best way to establish the right kitchen floor plan and work zones for you and your family is to think honestly about how you cook and store your food. Thinking of your kitchen layout as a series of work zones will help you design a space that fits your real life.

The third design element to consider is what your storage needs are for your kitchen.

This will help you determine how many cabinets you need in your kitchen design. Do you prefer to cook farm-to-table, or do you like quick-fix meals that rely on frozen or canned items? The way you cook can shape your kitchen storage needs significantly. For instance, someone who buys fresh items daily does not need the same storage space as someone who loves to keep a full larder. The refrigerator size may matter more to you than the pantry. Once you have mapped out your storage needs, the opportunity for custom cabinetry features can come into play.

Would you like a drawer to store your coffee pods, or do you have a built-in coffee maker? I always suggest that clients make a list of every item that needs individual-sized storage space. Do you have large platters? A stand mixer? Do you like to make smoothies and have a blender or juicer? Any appliance that needs a home should be factored into the design process, especially if you prefer to keep countertops clear. Pull-out shelves, built-in organizers, and deep drawers can all help you get the most from your cabinet space.

The fourth item of importance in designing a kitchen is lighting.

Lighting has become one of the most talked-about topics in kitchen design, and for good reason. There are several types of kitchen lighting to consider: task, accent, ambient, and decorative. Do you need all of them? I think you do. Layered lighting adds so much to a kitchen, both functionally and visually. Task lighting, found under cabinets or counters and above the kitchen island, provides the focused illumination you need to prep, cook, and clean up comfortably and safely.

Accent lighting highlights a specific area or piece of art in the kitchen. Ambient light provides mood and warmth throughout the space. Decorative lighting, such as pendants or a chandelier, is typically there just for beauty. The latest trend in kitchen lighting is illuminating the inside of cabinets and drawers. Interior cabinet lighting is not a must, but once you experience it, it quickly becomes a want. When you can eliminate the dark corners of a cabinet and see everything that would otherwise be hidden, it is very hard to go back.

The fifth and final item I consider in kitchen design might surprise you: it is the aesthetics of the room.

What will the kitchen look like? Will it be traditional, transitional, or contemporary? Glam or sleek? I know, I know, you thought that was the first item to be decided, right? Truth be told, you can make any kitchen look a certain way once the function is in place. The kitchen is the workhorse room of the house. If it doesn't function properly, it doesn't matter how beautiful it is; you simply will not enjoy it. Taking the time to design your kitchen correctly will make your life more functional and more beautiful at the same time. A beautiful kitchen that doesn't work well is like owning a sports car that spends most of its time in the repair shop. More often than not, that car gets traded in. The difference is that you cannot trade your kitchen. You are stuck with it until you renovate, and a kitchen remodel is both costly and time-consuming. Design your kitchen right the first time. If you cannot hire a professional kitchen designer, always make sure you do your homework.

Ready to bring your vision to life? Our flooring experts are here to help you find durable, stylish options that fit your space, your lifestyle, and your budget. Schedule your free estimate today, and let's take the first step toward a kitchen you'll love for years to come.

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Lisa Mende is the founder and creative director of Lisa Mende Design. She is known for creating bold, modern interiors rooted in tradition. Antiques and vintage pieces, mixed with fresh modern classics and original art, are the hallmarks of her work.