DIY Network

Designing Your Dream Kitchen From "Blueprint for Home Building" episode DBHB-205

Host Jeff Wilson offers helpful hints for a seamless kitchen design and construction process.

The kitchen is the most functional room in the house and one that needs to be well-planned. Because everyone wants to congregate there, a kitchen plan must allow people to enjoy the space without the creation of congested work areas.

In addition to being the most functional room, it's also the most complicated room to consider when building a new home. This is where most decisions will be made and where most of the subcontractors will be working in a very short, concentrated amount of time.

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	When planning a kitchen, it's important to determine how you and your family will use the space.
	Once you've made your kitchen selections, you can change your mind -- but it will cost you both time and money each time you do.
	It's important to be honest with a kitchen designer about your likes -- as well as your dislikes.

It's important to first address the main purpose of your kitchen. How do you live? How do you plan to use the space? Some like to use it only for basic cooking, while others like to entertain and want the kitchen to look good as well as being functional.

Here are the three other factors to consider when planning a new kitchen:

• Budget - Most people tend to underestimate the costs involved in kitchen design and construction, and fail to budget meticulously.

• Kitchen design - A design needs to compliment the house, as well as the owner's lifestyle.

• Lead/delivery time - Cabinets, countertops and kitchen appliances usually have a lead time of 6-8 weeks before arrival. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is last-minute decision-making on accessories and components that will go into the kitchen.

Expect an initial two-hour meeting and bring your house plans. Don't be afraid to discuss your likes and dislikes -- as well as your needs. Being candid will help your designer create the kitchen of your dreams. At the second meeting, your designer should have preliminary designs for you to review.

The best kitchen design includes:

• Easy access to food supply area, food preparation area and the heat source.

• Efficient placement of cabinets near the appliances.

In the next segment, we'll discuss ways to manage costs.

For more information on designing the kitchen of your dreams, check out Create the Ultimate Kitchen or or Cooking Up the Kitchen.

Did You Know?

In 1947, the first commercial microwave ovens hit the market. These primitive, expensive and oversized units measured 5-1/2 feet tall, weighed over 750 pounds, and retailed around $5,000 each.

GUESTS :

John Harmon
Licensed Contractor
Specialized Services
PO Box 1377
Sunset Beach, CA 90742-1377
Phone: 562-592-3831
E-mail: SpecEmail@aol.com

Allen Kline
Senior Kitchen Designer
Manor House Kitchens
See contact information above under Resources

Bob Cheney
Plumbing Expert
2153 Iron Club Dr.
La Verne, CA 91750
Phone: 909-593-0438
E-mail: deache@adelphia.net

Al Sain
Homeowner
7117 Fairway Dr.
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: 724-865-3056
E-mail: alsain@zbzoom.net

Lynn Underwood
Homeowner
3001 E. Wiley Lane
Vail, AZ 85641
E-mail: whiskey5alpha@yahoo.com

Pierre Abboud
Designer/Sales
We apologize no further information is available.

Skip Weahunt
Homeowner
E-mail: skip@ownerbuildercenter.com

Regina Zernay
CMTS, Inc.
Phone: 310-390-9558

Henry C. Swierczynsky
President
Hendolhurst Homes, Inc.
955 Markman Park Road
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724.935.5658
E-mail: buildme@zoominternet.net

John Owens
Consultant
1265 South Camino Santiago Drive
Pueblo West, CO 81007

Jody Cukier Siegler
Interior Designer
Siegler Design and Development LLC
E-mail: jodycs@yahoo.com

Bob Miller
CMTS
E-mail: robertmillerpe@comcast.net