It’s hard to overstate the importance of quality kitchen design in custom home building. Kitchens are and ought to be the focal point of every home. They represent the familial ritual of eating dinner together, and they’re the hub of every party and gathering. Special occasions and holidays host large meals in the kitchen, and it’s the home of many heartwarming memories.

Customizing Your Kitchen Design

Whether you are building your first home or looking for a contractor for kitchen remodeling, you want to get your kitchen design right. Fortunately, there are tools you can use to visualize your kitchen before it’s finished: go to the free Whirlpool^® Kitchen Stylist™ Tool to get started!

Style

The first step is designing your kitchen style. Whirlpool^® gives you 3 options to choose from:

1. Classic: Described as “refined and inviting,” classic has a culturally pure feel. It conveys precision while remaining elegant and quaint.
2. Transitional: Described as “eclectic and creative,” transitional design is the segue from classic to modern. It balances simple and complex textures and fabrics to create scenery that is both practical and appealing.
3. Modern: Described as “sleek and streamlined,” modern is particularly ornate, emphasizing the function of furnishings to be the most sophisticated design.

Configuration

Next is the configuration of your custom kitchen design. Choose the layout of your kitchen: with all appliances on a single wall, in a 90-degree L-shape, or a three-sided U-shape.

Colors & Finishes

After steps 1 & 2, you will get to customize your wall color, floor color, cabinet finish, and countertop style. Based on the style you have chosen, there will be recommendations for each. For example, a classic kitchen will incorporate traditional cherrywood floors with simple, monochromatic walls and finishes. These options are completely customizable, but remember to be consistent with your colors and finishes!

Appliances

The final stage in kitchen design is what will actually fill the kitchen and give it meaning: appliances. While there is much individual variation here, we recommend the following for choosing your appliances:

• Smart Kitchens: Home automation has brought on a whole wave of “smart kitchen” appliances that make life in the kitchen much easier. For example, there are automated dishwashers that can schedule washes, and refrigerators that set an energy-saving alarm when open for too long.
• Placement: Be practical with your placement of things. Keep the dishwasher, sink, prep area, and garbage all close to each other so you’re not walking across the room for one or the other.
• Energy Efficiency: If energy efficiency is a major concern for you, we recommend you look into Energy Star‘s list of certified appliances.