It’s hard to imagine a dream home without envisioning a dream kitchen. It’s the natural gathering area of the home and so it makes sense that the kitchen will typically account for about 10% of the overall custom home budget (including land). A good rule of thumb for kitchens is to budget about $400 per square foot. So where do you begin? To help you envision your own dream kitchen we’ve listed seven essential elements of designing a kitchen (along with cost estimates) so you can begin to plan, budget and design your own dream kitchen.
1. Floors
There is no shortage of options when it comes to kitchen flooring: tile, stone, hardwood, concrete, cork, bamboo… the list goes on. Even laminate has some stylish options (definitely not the linoleum you may remember from your parents’ home). Kitchen flooring can range from $2 to $40 per square foot depending on the material you choose.
Tile and vinyl flooring are budget-friendly options while hardwood and natural stone will come in at the higher end of the range (but will create a stunning look for your home). A popular choice for our customers is laminate which provides the rich look of hardwood but with added durability at a mid-range price.
2. Counters and Backsplash
There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing a counter surface for your home. Counters can range in price from $10 per square foot (installed) for tile or laminate up to $125 for higher end finishes such as soapstone, concrete or marble. Good mid-range counter surface options include granite, quartz and butcher block.
A beautiful backsplash can create a stunning focal point for your kitchen and make your counter surfaces pop.
3. Cabinetry
Cabinetry serves as both form and function for your kitchen design. Although it serves a very practical purpose, cabinetry also provides the soul of your kitchen’s aesthetic. From sleek and modern to rich and rustic, cabinetry is a focal point of your kitchen design and gives your kitchen that certain “feel.”
Cabinetry can range from between $500 to $1,500 per square foot depending on the material you choose. Oak and hickory are popular options at the lower end and at the higher end cherry gives a kitchen a rich look. In the mid-range, alder is a locally sourced wood with a beautiful grain that looks great.
4. Appliances
There’s a wide range (pardon the pun) of appliances to choose from for your custom home. An appliance package will range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more. A good mid-range appliance package will cost about $7,500.
Well-known brands for a basic kitchen appliance package include G.E., LG and Samsung. Bosch is a popular choice for a mid-range option while Wolf, Sub Zero and Blue Star provide higher end options.
5. Serving and Storage
Whether you need extra space for serving, prepping or storing all of your kitchen gadgets (or all of the above) a kitchen island can be both beautiful and functional. You can personalize your island with open shelving, a prep sink, a wine fridge, a cooktop, or additional seating.
6. Light and Views
One of the biggest advantages of living in the Pacific Northwest is the spectacular landscape that provides ample views. Designing a home with a view starts with thinking about how to maximizes views from the main living areas of the home. An open floor plan can create seamless views.
7. Flow
Of course the most important part of your kitchen design is how it works for you. Back in the 1950’s the wisdom of kitchen design was to create a triangle between the sink, oven and refrigerator to make it easy and efficient to work in. Today’s modern kitchens have dishwashers, work stations, pantries and other features to incorporate as well. Work with an architect to create a kitchen flow that’s practical for you.
Need help designing the kitchen of your own custom home in Western Washington? Contact us for a free Project Analysis.
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