2/6/20

Building Your Dream Kitchen: The importance of design plans

8 Min.

Design plans are the roadmap to your dream kitchen. They should be detailed, easy to understand and used frequently. Your design plans hold the key to unlocking your perfect kitchen, so make sure you have the plans you need. What should they include? Read on.

Step 1. Two Dimensional Floor plan

The first set of design plans should include a reasonably detailed 2D floor plan. Your designer should provide you with a paper copy so that you can take them home, look over things and make any notes. Your 2D floor plan should accurately reflect the number of cabinets and drawers as well as the materials that you want. This is an important step in sticking to your budget.

Step 2. Move to 3D

Once the design has legs it’s time to get 3 dimensional. Great 3D design plans will give you a real sense of how your space flows and how you will move around within it. This is where things get fun. The drawings should include color, be full of texture and depth. Your designer can walk you through them so that they are easy to understand and help you visualize the space.

Step 3. if the plans change, so should the budget.

It seems straightforward, but this step can be overlooked. Make sure if you see changes in your plans that those are reflected in your budget. This way you will be informed and aware throughout the design process and avoid any unpleasant surprises later on.

Step 4. Final Plans

When the design is completely buttoned up, and about to be sent to the cabinetmaker, ask for your own set of final plans, as well as a final contract that explains all the details and items included. This will be a reference that you can always go back to if you have any questions about how the cabinetry was made, your exact materials and colors, even the model numbers of your appliances.

Your final plans should include:

Final elevation views from multiple angles

Colors and textures in the drawings that mimic your material choices

Interior cabinetry details – shelves, drawers, pull-outs etc.

Toe-kick, molding and edge details.

Paint colors and wood finishes.

Your appliances; model numbers and brand.

Before you begin

Interview your kitchen designer. Ask what kind of plans you can expect and what level of detail they will include. If you would like to check out some of the plans that the JF designers create for our clients come and visit us! We can go over the process, details and kinds of drawings you should expect during your kitchen project. Visit Kathleen and Paula in the Boston Design Center showroom, and stay tuned – new showrooms coming soon!