Design Decisions

Most of us only get to design or re-design our kitchen or bathroom(s) once or twice in our lifetime.  The decision to re-design doesn’t solely depend upon our budget.  Many factors come into play when making that decision.  So, let’s explore just three ideas. 

#1 Design 

I am not a design expert.  Let’s just put that right out there. However, I’m a pretty good observer and I have done quite a lot of designing in my own home.  (If that counts at all!)  There are a few things that I know are important.  Do your homework.  Read all the online information you can, collect magazines, pictures, and books.  Know yourself and your strengths and weaknesses.  Some of the questions you will want to ask yourself: 

Is it important for you to stay “on trend”?  Is it a new trend or one that’s on its way out?  How long have you wished for this style?  That may indicate to you whether or not it is still relevant.  Some designs are always “in style” and considered desirable to most of us.  A good many homes in the U.S. – especially starter homes – don’t exude any particular architecture and can be considered traditional or transitional.  Therefore, they are much easier to modify to fit your ideals. 

How long will you have to live with the design you choose?  Will you be able to update your design eventually with a limited budget?  If the budget is a big concern now, you always hope it won’t be in five years when you want to make changes again.  It’s positive thinking and I wish you luck!  

Is there a cohesiveness throughout your home, or will your new design only lead you to be unhappy with the rest of your home?  How can you make it all work together? 

Is your new design in keeping with the architecture of the home?  Such as, are you in love with a sleek, modern kitchen but you’re not quite sure it belongs in a Victorian home?

#2 Cost 

You’ve heard it said that kitchens and bathrooms can sell your house.  Well, what if you’re not looking to sell?  What if you live in a house that sits on family property, and it will always stay with the family?  Your one-time chance to re-design might be when it becomes your turn to move in. Sure, you can always paint the kitchen cabinets, change the floor tile, or cabinet backsplash. Those kinds of changes can be made “as you go”, but what about real architectural re-designs?  If you would like to remove a wall, add a window, replace the cabinets, etc., that cost may be out of reach for you.  You may want to hire an interior designer to help with the layout and choice of materials.  I got lucky and found someone at one of the “big box lumberyards” that was a good designer.  She was so helpful when it came to cabinet layout.  The changes you want to make may require the input of an architect.  That’s when the project requires saving money, making friends with the banker, and finding the right contractor. If you are young and/or newly married, you may not be able to handle all that.   

One way to save money is to do the work yourself, possibly with the help of an experienced friend or family member.  That usually takes longer than a contractor, but not always.  However, there are some things you should not try to do yourself, such as structural changes.  Even if you can handle plumbing and electrical work, you need to allow time to pull all the permits and get updated information on local building codes.  All things to consider before tackling a big project. 

#3 Disruption 

In this blog, I’m mostly talking about re-designing a kitchen or bathroom because they are the hardest projects to tackle, but they also have the biggest impact on our lives and our budgets!  I think especially a kitchen is so hard to work around.  Believe me, I know.  We re-designed and remodeled three kitchens in our lifetime!  When I say “we”, I really mean “Frank”.  I’m good for some things, but he usually just wanted me out of the way.  I was so lucky that he could do all the things.   

At our first house, I learned how to sheetrock and glaze windows.  Oh, and I scraped wallpaper and painted most of the rooms (I hate painting). Between Frank and my dad, they did plumbing, heating, electrical – literally all the things.  Frank pulled permits and they started by making schematic drawings.  Both had been in construction of one kind or another for a long time, and they knew what they were doing.   

Let me tell you, living in a construction zone is not for the faint of heart! We lived without a bathroom sink for about six months until we could afford to buy one. (Can anyone say “budget”?)  When you pour a glass of water, make sure to drink it right away or you might just collect sheetrock dust on the top.  Keep a good magnet in your pocket so you can sweep for nails.  Have a good plan for cooking with the crockpot or instant pot, and keep the grill lit. Also, be sure you can fit your fridge through the door to the dining room or living room, because it will be the last thing moved back into the new kitchen.  Would it be easier to hire a contractor?  Yes and no. You might have to move out if you have a contractor doing the work.  That’s not always possible or affordable. 

It’s all about planning, lists, budgets, creative thinking, patience, and problem solving – whether you have a hired contractor or not!  You have my best wishes as you work toward the home of your dreams!