21 Mar Preparation for a Custom Kitchen Consultation

We have put together a list to help you prepare for your new kitchen consultation. We often find our clients don’t know where to begin and how to be prepared for the kitchen design process. It’s important to be well informed and have a well-thought out plan for your space. Whether you’re renovating your modern kitchen in the GTA or doing a complete redesign of your Muskoka cottage kitchen, use these tips to prepare for your consultation.

Gather all of your ideas

Make note of likes and dislikes of your current kitchen, or what you love about a friend or neighbour’s kitchen. Create a scrapbook or use Pinterest as a tool to find inspiration for your kitchen design. Create a kitchen Pinterest board to organize all your design ideas in one place. You can even make notes under each photo that you save in your Pinterest board of what you like about the image specifically. Maybe it was the cabinets, the custom range hood, or the backsplash that you liked; so take note of what caught your eye to share at your consultation. Follow Tassé Design on Pinterest to see our latest kitchen projects as well as lots of inspiration to help you plan your kitchen renovation.

Find some inspiration from this custom kitchen design project we recently completed in Severn Township which combines different textures and natural elements like wood, metal, and stone.

Examine your current space

Does it make sense to keep the general layout the same? Your new kitchen should be functional, practical and most importantly it should fit with your lifestyle. Does your family eat on the go a lot? Would you use seating at an island? Do you entertain? Having a larger island with lots of space for your guests is a must, especially at the cottage where you’ll be relaxing and gathering with family and friends.

It’s also important to notice trends and styles that may not be the best option for your space. For example, if you live in an older home, having a really modern kitchen design may not blend well with your home’s overall style. Keeping re-sale in mind is also important if you plan to sell in the future.

Create a wish list for your kitchen consultation

Once you have gathered your design inspiration either using Pinterest or creating a scrapbook and collecting images from magazines, it’s imperative to create a wish list. Your list should include specific things that you want to change about your current kitchen as well as must have items or design features for your new kitchen. Bring your wish list of design inspiration to your consultation so you can discuss your likes, dislikes, and personal style. Do you want to add a custom built in pantry or a wine & coffee nook like the one pictured below?

Shop appliances before meeting with your designer

We generally recommend that our clients have chosen their appliances before our design consultation. Appliances have a big impact on the custom cabinetry we design and we need to ensure that have the right measurements before starting the design process. Think about how you like to work in your kitchen, and have a look around to see what appliances you like. You don’t necessarily need to purchase appliances before the consultation, but bring the important details about each appliance on your wishlist.

Determine your budget ahead of time

We advise that you set a budget prior to our consultation. Be realistic with your budget so you can prioritize what renovations can be completed within your budget. We have many different design options for our custom cabinetry and custom built-in shelving features and are available at various price points. If you are unsure of how to budget for your project we are here to help.

Work with an expert

Ensuring that you are working with the right design build company is incredibly important. We are highly-skilled cabinetmakers with more than 35 years of experience in residential and commercial cabinetry. Each project is unique and given exclusive attention to detail.  We have a love for high quality and honest design – we want you to love your space.

You can rely on us to complete your kitchen renovation on time and within budget. Being centrally based in Barrie, Ontario, our custom design build firm caters to clients in Simcoe, Muskoka, Georgian Bay, and the GTA.

Are you looking at renovating your kitchen? Are you building a new home and looking to have a custom kitchen designed and built? Get in touch with us today for a consultation. Our process begins with an in-house consult where we measure and discuss your project.  We offer full-design services, or we can work directly with your contractor, architect or interior designer to come up with a plan that best suits your needs.

-Matt (Owner TASSÉ Design)