Setting Up a Temp Kitchen

Ok, so you’ve decided to remodel your kitchen. You’ve finalized the perfect new layout + design, made all of your finish selections, and you’re ready to go! Now, what?

Make sure you have a “Temp Kitchen” set up to utilize while your main kitchen is out of commission!

What do you need?

Space

Designate your temp kitchen area. For some, this will be in your main living space, or a dining room. We happened to have a bar area in our basement with counter space, a mini fridge, and a small sink, so we set up downstairs.

Cooking Equipment

Make room in your set-up for some basic cooking equipment. Whatever you have room for and are comfortable utilizing the most! For us, We had plenty of space, so I set up our microwave, toaster, electric griddle, and purchased a hot plate for pan cooking. I also prepped a couple of freezer crockpot meals ahead of time, which worked so well! Don’t forget your coffee maker if you’re a coffee drinker like me!

Fridge/Freezer

If you are moving your temp kitchen into a living room or dining room, relocating your main fridge here is usually ideal. Our bar area already had a mini fridge, which was perfect for the essentials, and we utilized another full sized fridge in our storage area for overflow.

Sink Access

Think about where/how you will be doing any dishes. For some, this looks like using a sink nearby - laundry room or bathroom sinks, maybe even a bathtub! You could also fill a small basin with some warm soapy water and dump it in the tub or sink when finished. Our bar area already had a small sink that worked for washing small bowls and utensils.

Pantry

You’ll need a space, either in your temp kitchen or nearby, to store your pantry food items. We stocked the bar cabinets with our most-used items, and kept extra food and dinner ingredients in our adjacent storage area.

Dishes, Plates, Cutlery

Definitely essential! Everyone will choose to do this a little differently. I typically don’t like to use a lot of disposable dishware, but I decided to get paper plates, disposable cutlery and cups for our remodel. It saved my sanity versus doing a ton of dishes in a small sink every time we had a meal.

Pro-Tip: Meal Prep

One of my biggest tips is to prep some meals ahead of your remodel that you can pull out and serve or cook easily. I doubled some of our dinners leading up to the remodel, which we froze and then simply had to heat them up for an awesome dinner. I also prepped some freezer crockpot meals - I also used disposable crockpot liners during this time so I wasn’t trying to wash out a huge crockpot in our tiny sink. This was so wonderful to have ready! We enjoyed some really delicious meals out of our temp kitchen that didn’t require chopping, cooking with multiple pots + pans, or much for clean up!

What’s a Healthy Kitchen Remodel Budget?

“How much does a kitchen really cost?”

This is such a common question, and it’s really tough to answer since it mostly comes down to product selection. There are so many options that vary in quality, and it’s my job as a designer to help you make selections to give you the most bang for your buck. We want the perfect blend of fitting your budget, and materials that last for the long haul. First of all, let’s forget everything you’ve seen on HGTV…

Cabinetry

Let’s start here, since it’s my specialty. Quality, custom cabinets designed with all of your hand selected details – door style, wood specie, finish color, interior accessories, moldings, etc. – will likely be the biggest investment in your kitchen project. They’re also the hardest to swap out for future updates, so we want to make sure to get the “bones” right the first time. Plato or Medallion cabinets will stand the test of time and offer a ton of options to fit each budget.

Total: $20,000-$40,000

Countertops

My top two choices for countertops – and what I recommend for all of my kitchens, are natural stone or quartz. Again, we can see a wide range in pricing based on quality and availability of the materials. Cambria is my top choice for quartz – you cannot beat the quality and it is locally made in MN and sourced from Canada. Natural stones will range in price from the most common granites to the rarest marbles and quartzites.

Total: $10,000-15,000+

Tile Backsplash

There are so many options when it comes to tile – you could be looking at a basic tile for $5/square foot, or an intricate marble mosaic at $100/square foot. I usually like to set aside around $1500 for tile from the get-go.

Total: $1500+

Plumbing

Your sink and faucet are one of the items that get a ton of use in your kitchen, so I highly suggest making sure they are quality fixtures. Pricing increases if you want a luxury brand or finish, a faucet that uses touchless technology, a sink with all the “fixin’s”, an additional prep sink, a pot filler, etc. Moving existing plumbing, or adding features will quickly increase labor costs.

Total: $1500-$4,000

Flooring

Whether you go with porcelain tile, luxury vinyl planks or engineered hardwood, flooring adds up quickly. Durable options that look great will likely run $7-$15 per square foot.

Total: $2,000-$4,500

Appliances

Appliances really come down to personal preferences, budget, and how much cooking you like to do. High-end appliances that can be built-in seamlessly with your cabinetry and with spectacular technology could run you $15,000-$45,000. More standard stainless steel appliances could look more like $5,000-$10,000.

Total: $10,000

Hardware

This is one of the most important design considerations that pulls the entire look of your kitchen together. Don’t skimp here – we don’t want them falling off when you pull open your drawer! Pricing could be anywhere from $5-$20 per piece. I typically create an allowance at $8/piece to start.

Total: $1000

Lighting

Here’s where we factor in new recessed light fixtures, under cabinet lighting, and pendants. I like to plan for $500 per each new pendant light.

Total: $1500+

Misc

Don’t forget your new accessories! Any decorative objects on the countertop, a new runner, new barstools, etc. They easily get left off the to-do list, but are necessary for the function of your new kitchen.

Labor

This will be one of the biggest variables from project to project. Tearing out walls, doing a “full gut”, relocating plumbing, and the experience of your contractor will all factor into this. Labor is not part of my bid through reDesigned.

Grand Total

On average, a typical kitchen remodel with cost around $50,000-$75,000 in the materials listed above. Labor would be additional. If clients are keeping existing appliances, flooring, or staying with a very similar plumbing + appliance layout, you can sometimes complete the entire remodel (with labor) for that range.

The 5 Accessories We Include in Every Kitchen

When designing a kitchen, what goes in each cabinet is just as important as the overall look. Marrying form and function is our goal.

While everyone uses their kitchen differently, and we tweak each cabinet to accommodate personal storage needs, we always start with the same five accessories for every design. We can add, swap, or delete as we go, but each design and initial pricing contains these basic items.

1. Double Pull Out Trash

The #1 accessory! I can honestly say that I have not designed a single kitchen in my career that did not include this item. After personally living in many kitchens that have not included this cabinet, I can attest to it’s necessity - if you can only squeeze one of these items into your budget, this one is it! There is nothing worse, in my opinion, than seeing a beautiful new kitchen with trash bins sitting out in plain sight. It’s such a bummer!! We want to be focused on the overall design and selections, not distracted by the trash over in the corner.

2. Cutlery Organizer

Everyone uses cutlery! Many of us have after market trays that sit in a drawer to organize our cutlery, but if we plan ahead and order this accessory with our cabinetry, we maximize the storage. No awkward leftover space on the side or back!

3. Spice Organizer

There are many different options for spices, whether they live in an upper cabinet, a drawer pull out, or a vertical pull out. We work together to figure out the best version for you and your design.

4. Tray Dividers

No one likes digging through a precariously balanced stack of cutting boards, baking sheets, or muffin tins! Tray dividers keep everything organized in smaller groupings so there’s no more balancing acts.

5. Utensil Organizer

Serving spoons, ladles, and measuring spoons all jumbled together in one heap - sound familiar?! Just like with the cutlery organizer, many after market accessories leave underutilized space in the drawer, but our custom accessories maximize every fraction of an inch. Talk about function!

*Bonus Round*: Pull Out Pantries

Whenever possible, we also try to incorporate pull out storage in pantry cabinets! This accessory is always thrown in to our initial design when there’s room in the budget.

Talking About a "Dirty" Word: Budget

Let's talk about a "dirty word": BUDGET. I said it!! It can be an uncomfortable conversation between designer + client, but it is so important.

Most people wonder:
"But WHY do I need to share my budget with you?!"
"What if I have NO idea what it will cost?"
"Won't you take that number and spend ALL of it no matter what number I give?"

Here's why having a budget is so crucial - whether you're working with a designer, or tackling a DIY project.

1. It ALLOWS YOU to spend that money!

When it comes to home projects, it can be hard for us to justify the dollars as everything starts to add up. But, if you know you have a certain amount allocated for the project, you can work towards that overall goal while letting go of some of the individual numbers. SO, maybe you have a dream cast iron farmhouse sink in mind, but the individual item price scares you away. If you look at your OVERALL budget, you can probably make it work! Give a little on the hardware, or backsplash tile, or countertop selection. Maybe we ease up a bit on the cabinet accessories. Then you will feel free to splurge on that sink!!

2. Your designer can do their job well.

As a designer, it helps me do my job well when I know your *actual* budget. I can design a space to suit your needs, your style, and your wishes while making sure you feel comfortable financially. All because you've already determined a number that works for you! I want to give you the best design that your hard earned money can buy.

“What if I have no clue where to start?”

If you don't have any idea of what a project may cost, do some quick research! Google some averages, ask friends and family who have completed projects, and call a professional for an estimate. Don't ever be ashamed! Most clients don't know exactly what something will cost because they don't do this every day!

“Won’t the designer just spend ALL of the money?!”

Will we spend all of your money? Probably!! Because, if you select a budget you are truly comfortable with, this means that you can incorporate as many of your wishes as possible for the "right" price.

PLEASE don't hide your budget from your designer! We are here to help you!!

Why Should I Hire a Kitchen + Bath Designer?

When considering a home project, you might find yourself wondering whether you should hire a professional designer. However, you might also be wondering if your project would benefit enough from these services to warrant spending the money. There are many things to consider - including your own skill set, the scale of the project, your time availability, etc. In many cases, it is well worth the design fee to hire a professional.

Here are 7 reasons why you should hire a designer:

1. Experience

Most homeowners only experience a few major remodels in their lifetime, but designers are working on projects every day. Whether you’re remodeling or building a new home, it is a very long and detailed process. Making all of the selections from large showrooms, extensive catalogs, or a never-ending Pinterest search can become very overwhelming. It comes in handy to have someone who can guide you through the process and make suggestions along the way.

2. Layout + Space Planning

A designer also has a lot of training and experience in creating the best layout for your space, based on your specific needs. They can combine function and aesthetics to maximize storage solutions, traffic flow, and a style that will suit both your home and your lifestyle.

3. Cohesive Design

With so many selections to make, it is common to worry about how everything will work together in the final space. Your designer will be able to present you with the best options to form a cohesive design. They will also show you an overall concept, either as a selections board, or in 3-D renderings, so you can see how everything ties together.

4. Access to Products

As a homeowner, it can be difficult to figure out how to source all of the products and vendors you will need to complete your project. Working with a designer means you have access to products only available to a qualified professional. Most designers also have an extensive list of preferred vendors for everything from lighting and plumbing fixtures, to an electrician or plumber.

5. Maximizing Value

Whether you’re planning on staying in your home for many years, or remodeling in preparation to sell, a designer can help you get the most bang for your buck. They will guide you to make selections based on functionality and aesthetics that will stand the test of time - appealing to potential buyers, or ensuring you will love your new space for years to come.

6. Prioritizing

It’s easy to completely blow past your budget when make selections piece by piece. An experienced designer will have a plan for you with allowances set prior to making selections. This will help you prioritize how you should spend your budget. They will also give you suggestions on where you might be able to give and take, when you decide you want to spend more in one place.

7. Advocate

When working with multiple professionals - from general contractors to subcontractors, and all of the product vendors, it is so helpful to have someone who knows how to communicate effectively with all of them. Having a designer you click with means that they are working towards the same goal as you. A designer who is invested in your project will ensure everything is done properly, answer questions you have along the way, and make the process much more enjoyable.

Overall, hiring a designer largely depends on the scale of your project. You can hire a designer for anything from space planning, to helping with the selection process, or providing product. If you have questions about how we might be able to work with you on your next project, head over to our contact page and drop us a message!