Getting Ready for Design - 3

Part 3 – Wish List, Style, and Budget

There are many decisions to make when designing a kitchen. What should the layout be? How much storage space is needed? Should there be an island? What appliances should be built in? What should the cabinet fronts, countertops, backsplash, and lighting look like? These questions are interrelated, so it’s much easier to make good decisions if you create a well-thought-out wish list right at the start of the design process.

A wish list doesn’t mean you have to decide everything definitively in advance. Rather, it serves as a compass to help the designer understand more precisely what kind of kitchen you want and which factors are truly important. A good requirements list isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s also about functionality, storage, daily routines, and your budget.

Functions: What does your kitchen need to do?

One of the most important questions when designing a kitchen is what functions it needs to serve. A kitchen can primarily be a place for cooking, but it can also be a family hub, a space for entertaining guests, a breakfast area, or even a striking feature of the living room.

It’s worth thinking through what activities will take place here on a regular basis. Just cooking and washing dishes? Or will this be where you make coffee, prepare snacks, set out refreshments for guests, make the kids’ breakfast, or perhaps host a larger family lunch on the weekend? Will there be a separate pantry, or will the kitchen need to accommodate all the food and small appliances?

If we have a clearer picture of the functions, it’s easier to decide how much counter space is needed, how much storage is required, where the appliances should go, and which area should be the focal point.

Storage needs: how much of what do you have?

Storage is one of the most common problem areas in kitchens. Often, it’s only when you start using the finished cabinets that you realize there isn’t enough space for larger pots, pans, the food processor, baking sheets, or less frequently used utensils.

That’s why it’s worth thinking ahead about what you’ll need to store. How many pots and pans do you have? Do you have any larger pots or baking dishes? Will there be a lot of glasses and plates in the kitchen? Where will you keep spices, dry goods, coffee-making equipment, and cleaning supplies? Do you need a separate pantry cabinet or tall storage unit?

The goal isn’t to plan everything down to the centimeter, but it’s good to have a clear picture of your main storage needs. This way, you can avoid ending up with a kitchen that looks beautiful but isn’t practical enough for everyday use.

Style: Choose a mood, not just a color

The kitchen’s appearance is, of course, very important. Still, it’s worth thinking of style not just in terms of colors or material patterns, but as a mood. A bright, natural kitchen evokes a completely different feeling than a darker, elegant space with strong contrasts. Wooden surfaces, matte cabinet fronts, stone-effect countertops, and glass accents all have different effects.

Inspirational images are very helpful in defining a style, but it’s important to know that these aren’t templates to be copied. Rather, they show which direction resonates with us. You might like the color in one image, the thickness of the countertop in another, the lighting in a third, or the proportions of the upper cabinets in yet another.

By combining these elements, you can create a unique solution that works well in the given space and doesn’t feel out of place in your home.

Appliances and Technical Requirements

The list of kitchen appliances has a fundamental impact on the design. A built-in refrigerator, an oven tower, a dishwasher, an induction cooktop, or a countertop range hood all require different amounts of space and technical preparations.

It’s a good idea to list the specific appliances you need separately in your requirements list. It’s okay if the exact models haven’t been chosen yet, but it’s good to define the basic guidelines. Should you have a built-in or freestanding refrigerator? Do you need a microwave? Should the oven be at eye level? Will there be a wine cooler, coffee machine, steam oven, or other specialty appliances?

These decisions affect not only the aesthetics but also the usability of the space. Well-placed appliances reduce unnecessary movement, make working in the kitchen more comfortable, and help ensure that the kitchen functions as a truly logical system.

Budget: not an unpleasant topic, but a foundation for planning

Many people approach the issue of the budget with caution, even though it is an important starting point for good planning. Not because everything has to be done as cheaply as possible, but because responsible, proportionate decisions can be made based on the available budget.

Many factors influence the cost of a kitchen: size, materials used, the quality of hardware, appliances, the type of countertop, internal systems, lighting, and custom solutions. The same look can be achieved across various technical and price categories, but it matters where you choose to make compromises.

A good designer helps ensure that the budget acts as a guide rather than a constraint. There are elements where it’s worth choosing higher quality for the long term—for example, hardware, frequently used drawers, or the countertop. For other details, however, it’s possible to find a solution that is both aesthetically pleasing and more cost-effective.

Setting Priorities

One of the biggest advantages of a wish list is that it helps you prioritize. It’s rare to be able to fulfill every desire at once without making compromises, so it’s important to identify what’s essential and what’s more of a convenience or aesthetic bonus.

For example, for some people, ample storage space may be the most important factor. For others, it might be an island, a premium countertop, hidden appliances, or a clean, open connection to the living room. When these priorities are clearly defined, it’s easier to make decisions, even when you have to choose among several good options.

The order of priority doesn’t take away from the design—it helps you stay focused. This way, the final result isn’t a collection of random compromises, but rather the result of conscious decisions.

A good wish list is flexible

It’s important that the wish list not be set in stone. Many details become clearer during the design process. It may turn out that a desired solution isn’t ideal for a given space, but a better alternative can be found instead. It’s also possible that a detail that initially seemed minor turns out to be very important from the perspective of everyday use.

A good wish list, therefore, doesn’t shut down the thought process—it sets it in motion. It helps ensure that the first consultation isn’t about vague generalities, but rather about specific considerations, possibilities, and decisions.

A more thoughtful start leads to a better end result

A kitchen is truly successful when, from the very beginning of the design process, not only the aesthetic vision but also the practical needs are clearly defined. Functions, storage requirements, style preferences, appliances, and the budget together form the foundation upon which a well-functioning design can be built.

Creating a wish list saves time, reduces misunderstandings, and helps ensure that the final result is truly personalized. You don’t need to know everything in advance with professional precision, but it’s worth thinking through how you want to live in your kitchen.

Because a good kitchen is not just a nice set of cabinets. It’s a well-thought-out, personalized space that will comfortably serve your daily needs for many years to come.