Kitchen Plans: Why We're Adjusting the Floorplan to Meet our Modern Needs

Alexis
Feb 19
3 min read

When it comes this home renovation, the kitchen stands out as the biggest planned change from the original layout of the house. It is more than just a cooking space; it is central to where we gather with friends and family and share our love of food and each other. The house did not have an intact kitchen when we purchased it, and the addition where the previous kitchen was housed is not in great shape. As I've mentioned previously, that will eventually be removed from the backside of the house. As a result, we've made a potentially controversial decision; we are going to be converting what would have previously been the ladies parlor into a kitchen.

The Importance of the Kitchen

According to one quick Google search, about 89% of homeowners consider the kitchen the most important room in their home. (It honestly seems a bit low to me... wouldn't 100% of people consider the kitchen most important?). We envision a space that not only serves everyday cooking needs but also creates an inviting atmosphere for entertaining. If you know us in real life, you know that food and entertaining is of major importance. The natural location, to us, was in a room central to the flow of the house.

As we move through the planning stages, we recognize that our kitchen must embody comfort, utility, and but want it to echo classic Victorian kitchen design elements. It should support family gatherings, dinner parties, and casual brunches. A well-designed kitchen in of the utmost importance. So, we enlisted a little help from my mom, an architect.

Specific Design Choices

Our vision for the kitchen involves several key design choices that will allow us the comforts of a modern kitchen while maintaining Victorian design elements.

Material Selection

Material selection plays a crucial role in achieving our desired aesthetic and functionality. We are leaning towards elements like wood and brick, which add both warmth and texture. The goal is to make any additions feel as if they belong in the house, and that we haven't just slapped a modern kitchen somewhere it doesn't belong.

We are particularly excited about using the existing fireplace as part of a surround for our kitchen range. It felt like a big ask of our architect to design around this feature, and she nailed it! (Our brick guy doesn't know it yet, but we've got a project for him...)

Color Scheme

Color selection is equally important. We aim for a classic palette that feels traditional and echoes those of a French kitchen, initially thinking we'll lean towards pale blues. The goal is to compliment those materials choices of wood floors, wood cabinets, and the brick, by not overwhelming with color. Trust me, there will be plenty of color elsewhere....

Current Planning Challenges

While our excitement for the kitchen renovation is high, we face some common planning challenges.

Space Limitations

One significant hurdle is the limitations of the existing floor plan. Our home has some mighty tall doors and windows, necessitating creative solutions to maximize available space. We have made the decision to delete one window within this room and also change of the size of the remaining window to sit above the counter height.

Budget Constraints

Another concern is our budget. It's all too easy to get carried away with design ideas and overspend. We aim to balance quality and cost effectively. For instance, while we are drawn to high-end appliances, we might opt for mid-range options that still deliver on performance without breaking the bank. We're also looking into RTA (ready to assemble) cabinet choices that will deliver the quality and design we're looking for (inset cabinetry with natural wood finishes) at a lower price point.