Prioritizing Kitchen Purchases

One of the most challenging parts of my job is helping homeowners decide which items to splurge on and which should be skimped on. The suggestions below are only suggestions and based on a very generic plan or specific scenarios. Different designs and needs will always call for case-specific adjustments.

Cabinets - splurge

We always suggest splurging here. You do not want to skimp on cabinetry. Quality cabinetry will stay in your home for 25 years on average and longer if they are truly functional. Often, the only reason a quality cabinet is removed after 25 years is styling. We usually suggest keeping it simple, ignoring the trends and working with the style of the home, and considering future users (not necessarily sales, but guests, new family members, etc.). Design for flexibility, ergonomics, and anthropometrics.

Appliances - median

This one varies tremendously based on your cooking needs and styles. Appliances do fail at some point and can be quite pricey. So, we usually say to splurge with caution and hold back a little here and there. Stick with traditional sizes in case a replacement is needed.

We design most kitchens so that the appliances are highly integrated. If a built-in refrigerator needs to be replaced, either a kitchen modification is necessary, or the same size unit must be found.

Fixtures- splurge

The fantastic thing about your fixtures is that they can be reused.

If a remodel is needed, great, hang on to that sink that is in perfectly good condition and prevent waste by reusing what you can, assuming they still fit with the design and meet functional needs.

Like the cabinetry, think through these purchases and communicate your needs. Do you prefer a pull-out or pull-down faucet? An articulating faucet? Double-bowl vs. single bowl sink? One of our clients recently let us know that she needed a stainless sink because she has small hands and frequently drops items. This told us so much about all aspects of her kitchen design in addition to the sink needs!

Counters- save

Okay, this is not to say that we think you should do plastic laminate counters. And, we do want to be honest in letting you know that counter pricing leaps dramatically from plastic laminate to solid surface. There is certainly the option of tile, but not many like dealing with the grout.

In the project shown above, the counters were definitely the splurge because they were the focal point of the space, so we certainly have exceptions to MOST of our “rules”.

Here’s the thing though, counters can be replaced without requiring almost anything else to be replaced. We never, ever suggest putting a material in your home with the intention to replace it later. This is a throwaway mentality that we as a society need to avoid. However, if there was damage to the counter, an irreparable stain or some other concern, it is absolutely possible to replace this piece and keep the remaining items.

Flooring- Save

Good flooring can make or break a space. But, hey let’s be honest, so can just about every other element! We are all for comfortable flooring that is beautiful and fits the space. But, when budgets start getting tight, there are so many fantastic products out there that can fit the bill sustainably, beautifully, and comfortably! As many of our clients will tell you, our favorites are: Marmoleum, Cork, SmartWood, and Tile

Lighting- Splurge

Lighting is crucial to every space and should be specific and highly functional.

We recently had a kitchen renovation where the contractor insisted that a similar light fixture would save the clients a lot of money. It looked the same, and while he read the same “watts”, wattage is not light output and may provide a poor color rendering, which is crucial in places like the kitchen and bath. After reviewing his similar fixture, it was found that this fixture would provide half the light output and inefficiently, spreading the light so that it almost completely fades by the time it hits the counters.

In the above scenario, functional lighting should be a splurge. Decorative lighting can be saved on, however.