Free advice on kitchen renovation is abundant. While everyone has their own opinion on how to go about this project, the words of architects, interior designers and renovators carry more weight.
Here’s how the best of the best approach dream kitchen projects.
Meaningful Facelifts Beat Major Overhauls
The prevailing sentiment among leading design professionals is that updates should take priority over makeovers. Jessica Whitley, the founder, owner and creative director of Jessica Whitley Studio, says that kitchen projects these days are more about elevating what’s already there and less about starting over. “The result is a kitchen that feels collected and livable, rather than brand-new and overly designed,” adds Whitley.
This philosophy supports sustainability. Making it a mission to keep your kitchen’s existing design elements helps minimise construction waste, which represents Ireland’s largest waste stream, reaching 9 million tonnes in 2023. Such a high volume of discarded construction and demolition materials offsets the environmental gains of the country’s 73% waste recovery rate.
Preservation is a useful constraint to enhance your space while keeping its character intact. British architect John Pawson used this concept as a guide when he transformed a 1610 farmhouse complex in the English countryside into a family retreat.
The property’s original timber elements were made of elm, which became scarce in the ‘60s due to Dutch elm disease. Pawson intentionally sourced lumber made from trees that succumbed to the same fungal infection for the kitchen floors, honouring the centuries-old farmhouse’s history. This property demonstrates the beauty of preserving the original design to celebrate what makes the space special.
Longevity Is a Timeless Trend
Many professionals would discourage you from adopting trends when updating your kitchen. This room is typically the most used and most functional, so you should focus on optimising your space instead of just making it modish.
Elizabeth Valkovics, the founding principal of Batten Court Design, recommends putting a premium on holistic design. The award-winning interior designer shares that her team is noticing concepts that consider “the layout, improved lighting, better airflow, appliances and storage solutions,” making spaces look and feel good.
When making substantial changes to the kitchen, Valkovics advises investing in high-end materials to ensure they last a long time. “Choosing a timeless design paired with durable materials and fixtures, like honed quartzite, solid oak cabinetry and unlacquered brass, achieves just that,” she adds.
Tastes change, so it would be wiser to stick to design elements with lasting appeal. Kitchen remodels only have a 41.8% return, so make every penny count. Valuing longevity and timelessness enables you to update your kitchen once and lets it age gracefully rather than immediately looking dated once a fad’s novelty wears off.
Decisions Should Centre on Lifestyle
Any renovation can be disruptive. However, temporarily losing your kitchen to construction can upend home life for a long time.
Adrienne Nobile, designer at Style-Line Kitchens, notes that a kitchen renovation timeline typically takes months from start to finish, though only the last few weeks cause the most disruption. The last phase of the job involves gutting the old space, updating any utilities and installing new features. “Waiting to tear out the old room will reduce the amount of time you’re living without the usual comforts of a working kitchen,” Nobile explains.
Patience is the key and makes the difference between cooking food in a makeshift kitchen for just a few weeks and for months on end. Fans of Joanna Gaines, interior designer and host of HGTV show “Fixer Upper,” may learn the wrong lessons from her farmhouse kitchen renovation. Gaines chose to do the project in pieces and continued to use the space while it was under construction, an experience that interrupted her family’s daily routine.
The TV personality’s decision to stay during the renovation was because her kids still had two weeks of school left. Still, Gaines could have scheduled the job during a school break and knew she was being stubborn for not moving out.
Listen to Expert Advice on Kitchen Renovations
A kitchen renovation is something you may experience just once or twice in your lifetime. Rely on the wisdom of design professionals to approach the job properly and bring your dream space to life.
