2004 Kitchen & Bath Planner

Planning for a new kitchen or bath is exciting, but it can quickly become an overwhelming experience. Inside is a checklist to help you determine exactly what you want in a new kitchen or bathroom, and a breakdown of cost versus return on investment. Youll also find guides to cabinet styles, kitchen layouts and space measurements. This planner is designed to educate, prepare and equip you with the tools necessary to begin talking with design and remodeling specialists about your dream project.

Part I: You and the project
Section A: The Big Picture

When do you want to complete this project?
Do you want your plans prepared by a/an: _____architect _____builder/contractor _____interior designer _____space planner _____cabinet planner _____yourself_____other

What is your overall estimated budget for this project? _____$12,000-$30,000 _____$30,000-$45,000 _____$45,000-$60,000 _____$60,000-$80,000 _____$80,000-$100,000 _____$100,000 and above

Do you want your kitchen/bath
to have: _____more room _____less room _____less upkeep _____updated features _____better layout/flow _____more natural light _____other

How long do you plan on staying in the remodeled or new house? (This should help you figure out the breakdown of price per year.)

How many members are in your family? _____adults _____children _____extended family

What are the ages and sexes of the family members? _____
Include extended time visitors, i.e. children in college, grandchildren staying the summer, relatives staying for holidays.

Are you planning to enlarge your family? _____Yes _____No
Number of children_____

Does your family have special needs?
_____dietary restrictions _____religious _____medical _____diabetic _____allergic _____mobility _____memory-impaired _____safety (children) _____security (valuables) _____ramps instead of stairs _____non-barrier shower _____seated usage of kitchen _____storage visible _____appliances that lock _____lockable knife storage _____live-in help living space _____dedicated arts and crafts room _____home schooling space _____home office space
Specific information:___________

What type(s) of pets do you have, if any?
Where do they eat?
Sleep? Spend their time?
Do you buy pet food in bulk? _____Yes _____No
If yes, what type do you buy? _____dry _____canned

Section B: Personal Design Details
Prioritize the following options:
(1) very important (2) important (3) not important:
_____function of space_____traffic flow through space_____number of cooks_____separate space for each cook _____look of space_____function and look of appliances_____materials made in USA_____brand name of materials_____budget flexibility _____timeframe of project

 

Part II: Kitchen
Section A: The Big Picture

Do you think your kitchen needs: _____a simple cosmetic makeover _____a complete renovation

Have you ever gone through the process of designing a custom kitchen? _____Yes _____No

Have you or anyone else made a sketch of your ideas for the kitchen? _____ Yes _____No

Are you or your spouse inclined to do any of the installation work? _____Yes _____No If so, what portion?

Would you like the kitchen floor plan to have: _____traffic redirected through a different layout_____more efficient space planning _____more efficient storage _____convenient transport between the kitchen and dining room

Do you want to:_____change doors or windows _____change size of space_____ add an island _____consider a room addition _____have a separate dining table in the kitchen

What do you like about your present kitchen?______________

What do you not like about your present kitchen?____________

What three words describe your dream kitchen?____________

What type of design would you like your new kitchen to have? _____  sleek/contemporary  _____ warm and cozy  _____ American country  _____ Italianate country  _____ open and airy  _____ French country  _____ traditional  _____ strictly functional  _____ American formal  _____ family retreat (coastal)  _____ transitional (clean design with some detail)

What colors are you considering for your new kitchen?__________

Plan for current cabinetry: _____replace _____reface _____paint _____add cabinets _____reduce number of cabinets _____increase height _____reduce heightpreferred color______________preferred style___________

Plan for current appliances: _____replace _____reface preferred color preferred style

Plan for current countertops: _____replace _____reface preferred color preferred style

Would you add these specialized accessories for storage to your cabinetry? _____lazy Susan _____ironing board _____rollout shelves _____towel bar _____pantry with rollout shelves _____pantry with swinging shelves _____toe-kick step stool _____pantry with can racks on doors _____tilt-out sponge tray _____ recycling/waste bins _____vertical dividers for trays and cutting boards _____pullout table for two _____utensil slots(fixed) _____utensil slots (adjustable) _____knife storage in drawer _____knife storage in block on countertop _____knife storage on wall magnet _____liquor storage _____locked storage _____tarnish-resistant silver storage _____child locks _____security locks _____other

 

Section B: Appliances and Fixtures

Do you plan on having:_____gas _____propane-fed gas _____electric _____gas and electric

How many of the following do you want? food disposal _____ dishwasher _____ trash compactor _____ warming drawer_____ cooktop_____ range _____ under-counter oven_____ wall oven (single/double) _____ traditional cooking oven _____ convection cooking oven_____ halogen cooking oven_____ other oven_____ updraft hood_____ downdraft hood _____ microwave vent hood_____ steamer_____ fryer_____ wok burner_____ griddle_____ grill_____

If you plan on a new refrigerator, what kind do you want? _____built-in _____built-in look _____slide in _____integrated/hidden _____integrated/ hidden drawer base

If you plan on a new microwave, what kind do you want? _____above the stove-top _____built-in cabinet (base/wall/space-saver) _____sitting on countertopIs your ventilation _____adequate _____noisy _____ugly _____nonexistent

Do you want an overhead vent hood? _____Yes _____No

What style and quantity of sink(s) do you prefer: _____single _____double _____triple basin _____above counter _____below counter _____farm house _____super sized Minimum depth of bowl(s)_____ minimum width of bowl(s)_____ minimum height of bowl(s)_____

What gadgets do you want? _____built-in stereo _____under-cabinet TV _____hidden TV _____Internet connection _____DSL _____cable hook-up _____intercom _____other_____

Section C: Household Habits

How often do you shop for groceries? _____weekly _____biweekly _____daily _____monthly

Does the cook want to be isolated from the family? _____Yes _____No

Who will be cooking or helping with preparation in the kitchen? _____husband _____wife _____children _____in-laws _____hired chef

Do any of the household cooks have any physical limitations? _____Yes _____No

Will any of the cooking or food preparation require special kitchen appliances? _____gourmet _____canning _____frying _____candy making _____baking _____ethnic _____in-home catering company _____other

Are the primary cooks _____right-handed or _____left-handed

What are their heights?_____

Do you enjoy spending a lot of time in the kitchen? _____Yes _____No

How does the family use the kitchen? _____daily heat- and-serve meals _____daily full course _____meals from scratch _____weekend quantity cooking _____weekend family meals _____hobby,cooking/baking _____homework _____reading _____games _____relaxing _____plating food for serving

How many people eat _____at family daily meals________ dinner parties (seated)________ dinner parties (buffet)________ family holiday dinners (seated)________ family holiday dinners(buffet)________ large parties(buffet)________

What type of eating area do you want? _____table(round/rectangle/square/
hexagonal/octagonal) _____bench _____banquet or booth _____attached table (28- to 30-inch AFF) _____raised bar (42-inch AFF) _____counter height _____ bar (36-inch AFF) _____lower bar (28- to 30-inch AFF) _____other

What small hand appliances do you use in the kitchen? _____food processor _____hand mixer _____blender _____bread machine _____electric mixer _____nut chopper _____coffee maker/grinder _____other

How often do you entertain? _____

How many do you entertain at a time? _____

What type of entertaining do you do? _____ cocktail party _____barbecue _____ buffet _____sit-down dinners _____ other

Section D: Storage Preferences

Do you store wine? _____Yes _____No

How many bottles of: red _____ white_____ investment collection_____ single bottles_____ cases_____open cabinet/small wine cooler/large wine cooler/wine cellar

Would you like a recycle sorting station in the: _____kitchen _____utility room _____garage _____basement _____outside

Do you use the kitchen as a home office to: _____sort coupons _____prepare shopping lists and recipes _____pay bills _____homework _____store games for children

Would a file drawer be advantageous? _____ Yes _____No

Do you want a space for _____bulletin board _____artwork wall _____memo/chalkboard _____calendar space _____other

Approximately how many cookbooks do you have? _____

Do you prefer to have books visible or behind closed doors? _____

Would you like to have some kind of file system for incoming and outgoing mail? _____Yes _____No

Do you have anything to be displayed for decorative purposes such as pottery, china, baskets, etc.? _____Yes _____No Describe

Do you buy food/soft drinks in bulk? _____ Yes _____No

How do you store fresh foods? _____refrigerator _____baskets in cabinet _____cellar storage _____other

 

Section D: Storage Preferences
How do you store bread? _____ refrigerator _____freezer _____countertop _____bread drawer

How do you store linens? _____hanging _____folded

How much space do you require for linens?_____

Do you want a space for a fire extinguisher in the kitchen? _____ Yes _____No

Do you require a separate utility cabinet for brooms, mops and cleaning supplies? _____Yes _____No

Do you require storage for a vacuum cleaner? _____Yes _____ No

What type of lighting do you prefer? _____overhead _____windows _____skylight _____under cabinet _____toe kick _____pendant _____recessed _____task _____decorative _____soffit _____artwork spots_____incandescent _____halogen _____xenon _____ ceiling fan _____chandelier _____lighting for reading, needlework, special tasks _____other

Do you want a raised or vaulted ceiling? _____Yes _____No

Do you want to use some architectural details? _____plasters _____wainscot _____crown molding _____arches _____keys _____cabinets like furniture _____feet on cabinets _____other

If youre replacing the flooring, what type of material are you considering? _____vinyl _____ceramic tile _____wood _____ carpet _____radiant heat _____ cork _____stained concrete _____other

How does your family treat the cabinets and countertops? _____rough _____gentle

Would you like to have more countertop space around your: _____cooktop _____wall oven _____ sink _____refrigerator _____ other

Have you thought about a larger primary meal preparation area (36-inch minimum)? _____Yes _____No

What type of countertops would you prefer? Materials: _____laminate _____solid surface _____ceramic-tile _____stainless steel _____granite _____marble _____ limestone _____stone composite _____glass _____lava stone _____wood _____concrete_____ other

Part III: Bathroom
Section A: The Big Picture

What do you like about your present bathroom?_____

What do you dislike about your present bathroom? _____

Do you feel the bathroom floor plan needs to be arranged to have more efficient space? _____ Yes _____ No

Would you want to move interior walls to enlarge the bathroom? _____ Yes _____ No

What feeling would you like your new bathroom space to have? _____ sleek/contemporary _____warm and cozy _____country _____traditional _____open and airy _____strictly functional _____formal _____spa-like _____other

What colors are you considering for your new bathroom? _____

How many will be using this bathroom? ______ Who?
For how long a time?
At the same time? __Yes_____No

Are there any family members with physical limitations? _____Yes _____No

What activities will take place in the bathroom? _____applying make-up/hair care _____dressing _____ laundering _____hand-washing clothes _____drip-drying clothes _____showering _____bathing/soaking _____steam bath _____sauna _____other

What type of cabinet interior storage interest you? _____lazy Susan _____drawer ironing board _____ ro lout shelves _____linen closet _____toe-kick step stool _____towel warmer (hydronic or electric) _____medicine cabinet _____ other

 

Section B: Bathroom Fixtures

Do you plan on keeping the existing bathroom fixtures? ______Yes ______No

Do you want: ______a single vanity ______double vanities ______a pedestal sink ______antique looking cabinetry

What kind of vanity top material do you want? ______laminate ______ceramic tile ______stainless steel ______marble ______limestone ______ solid surface ______stone composite ______glass ______wood ______lava stone ______granite

What size o tub o whirlpool do you want? Size: L______ W______ D______

How many people at a time?______
Brand Model______
Material Details: ______steps ______ handheld shower for cleaning ______grab bars ______body sprays ______air jets ______water jets ______Heating element

What style of shower do you want? ______open______glass enclosure ______pre-molded
Size:L______ W______ H______

How many people at a time?______ Material ______acrylic ______solid surface Details: ______stone slab ______stone tiles ______porcelain tile ______seat ______foot rest ______regular showerhead ______body sprayers ______soap/shampoo shelf ______multiple showerhead ______grab bars

What style of toilet do you want? ______ separate compartment ______ half-wall one piece ______ storage above ______ bidet

What cabinet details do you want?______wood ______steel ______ decorative laminate ______door style ______drawers for underwear ______safe for valuables(large/small) ______ organizational fittings ______other

Would you like an entertainment center? If so, what do you want it in? ______ TV ______ VCR ______radio ______ speakers ______CD/tape player ______ game system ______other

What appliances do you use in the bathroom? ______blow dryer ______curling iron ______electric razor ______electric toothbrush ______ hot rollers ______telephone ______lighted make-up mirror ______coffee maker ______microwave ______refrigerator ______bar sink ______hot plate ______tanning bed ______sauna ______towel warmer (hydronic, electric, wall mounted, free standing) ______steam bath ______other

Use three words to describe your dream bathroom. ____________

What type of storage do you need? ______clothing closets ______laundry facilities ______medicine storage ______hamper ______towel storage ______bed linens ______make-up ______shaving equipment ______paper products ______cleaning supplies ______books or magazines ______other

What flooring do you plan on using? ______vinyl ______ceramic tile ______wood ______ carpet ______radiant heat ______ cork ______stained concrete ______other

Do you want room for a chair, chest or bench? ______Yes ______No

Do you want display shelves? ______Yes ______No
If so, ______open ______behind glass ______ shelf material ______wood ______ glass

Do you plan to use any artwork or statues in the bathroom? ______Yes ______No
If yes what kind?

Do you want a special window? ______Yes ______No If yes, describe it.

Do you want a skylight? ______Yes ______ No
If yes, describe it ____________

What kind of lighting do you want? ______down lights ______florescent ______halogen ______ xenon ______night-light ______ ceiling light/fan ______overhead ______under cabinet ______toe kick ______pendant ______recessed ______ task______ decorative ______soffit ______chandelier ______other

What kind of additional heating do you want in the bathroom? ______heat lamp ______auxiliary heater ______cable under tile ______towel warmer

Do you want a raised or vaulted ceiling? ______Yes ______No

Do you want to use some architectural details? ______pilasters ______wainscot______ crown ______arch ______keys______cabinets like furniture ______feet on cabinets ______other

 

Counting the Beans
Wondering what a remodeled kitchen or bath might cost you? You can get a general idea from comparing these charts. Figures are based on a 10 x 10-foot room for uninstalled products.

Kitchen Costs
(Key-Economical, Mid-range, High-end)

Cabinets $5,000-$13,000 $13,000-$60,000 $60,000

Countertops (per square foot)
$10-$40 $40-$125 $125

Flooring (per square foot)
$2-$8 $8-$20 $20

Sinks $125-$200 $200-$700 $700

Oven/cooktop
$300-$800 $700-$1,500 $1,500

Dishwasher
$160-$400 $400-$700 $700

Refrigerator
$270-$600 $600-$2,300 $2,300

Microwave $40-$100 $100-$400 $400

Garbage disposal
$88-$150 $150-$360 $360

Instant hot/filtered water
$250-$300 $300-$500 $500

Soap/lotion dispenser
$40-$75 $75-$90 $90

Faucets $30-$200 $200-$800 $800

Hood $40-$150 $150-$1,100 $1,100

Lighting (recessed)
$160-$1,000 $1,000-$2,500 $2,500

Lighting (task)
$360-$500 $500-$865 $865

Lighting (pendants)
$25-$500 $500-$2,000 $2,000

Bathroom Costs
(Key-Economical, Mid-range, High-end)

Fixtures
$700-$1,000 $1,000-$4,000 $4,000

Vanity cabinets
$300-$650 $650-$3,500 $3,500

Faucets/fittings
$50-$350 $350-$1,000 $1,000

Countertops (per line foot)
$15-$40 $40-$150 $150

Ceramic tile $5-$12 $12-$35 $35

Return on Investment
What can you expect in return?
All the figures below are from Remodeling magazine's
2003 "Cost vs. Value Report" for the Atlanta area.

(Key-Average Cost, Average Resale Value, Percent Recouped)

Bathroom addition: national average-$15,519 $15,418 95%

Bathroom addition: Atlanta
$14,987 $13,619 91%

Upscale bathroom addition: national average $36,134 $32,272 84%

Upscale bathroom addition: Atlanta $36,475 $29,695 81%

Bathroom remodel: national average $10,088 $9,890 89%

Bathroom remodel: Atlanta
$9,025 $8,147 90%

Upscale bathroom remodel: national average $23,544 $23,457 99%

 

Upscale bathroom remodel: Atlanta $21,498 $21,385 99%

Master suite: national average
$70,760 $54,376 76%

Master suite: Atlanta
$63,696 $50,667 80%

Upscale master suite: national average $133,993 $103,279 77%

Upscale master suite: Atlanta $125,964 $103,381 82%

Major kitchen remodel: national average $43,804 $33,101 75%

Major kitchen remodel: Atlanta
$41,547 $34,357 83%

Upscale major kitchen remodel: national avg. $68,962 $56,711 80%

Upscale major kitchen remodel: Atlanta $68,510 $58,310 85%

 

Cabinet Styles
The style of your kitchen or bath is most directly a result of your cabinetry. Choosing the right cabinetry to translate the room's style and character may seem a daunting task, but it is a critical element in successfully accomplishing your desired style.
The first step is to understand what each style is, so we've outlined eight basic styles to get you on your way to creating your dream kitchen or bath.

Art Deco
The streamlined, geometric style of Art Deco is often highly ornamental with sleek lines. It is a style of unpretentious elegance, featuring inlays, black and glass accents, and colorful, richly detailed finishes. Its roots emanate from ancient Egypt, the Orient and classical antiquities.

Shaker
Practical and free of ornament, the Shaker style portrays graceful beauty through its simplicity. Turned wooden knobs, colorful opaque stains and natural woods are staples of the Shaker style.

English
Warm and casual, the English style has a whimsical spirit. It is eclectic in detail, with spindles, turnings and dentils, and small but intricately carved moldings that draw from Medieval, Gothic and classical influences.

Modern
Simplistic, yet not lacking flair, modern-style cabinets are defined by clean edges, long curves, minimal decoration and plain surfaces. Materials such as glass, stainless steel, wood veneers, solid wood and stone are combined to create this crisp look.

Victorian
Inventive, eclectic, opulent and bold, the Victorian style is a mix of historic influences from the latter half of the 19th century. This energetic style features ornately carved dark wood and is full of rich detail.

Arts and Crafts
The Arts and Crafts style is defined by fine craftsmanship, clean lines, rectilinear shapes and a masculine look. Richly grained hardwoods, with natural or no stain, and exposed joinery complete this sturdy, balanced style.

Classical
The classical style is symmetrical, carefully proportioned and formal; yet fresh. This timeless style can be described as restrained elegance. Its colors are mahogany, cherry, colonial and white.

French
Scalloped edges and graceful curved portfolios characterize the French style. Strong colors and a rustic, weathered look also define this highly decorative, sensual, yet rugged look.

 

Kitchen Layouts
There are four basic kitchen layouts; galley, L-shape, U-shape and G-shape. How each layout functions is based on the concept of the work triangle. The work triangle is the distance between the three main work areas: sink, cooktop and refrigerator. For maximum efficiency the work triangle should follow these guidelines:
– Each triangle leg should be 4 to 9 feet and the sum not to exceed 26 feet.
– Cabinetry should not intersect any triangle leg by more than 12 inches.
– General traffic patterns should not interfere with the work triangle.

Galley (two-wall)
The galley consists of two facing walls and is usually adapted in small spaces. The work triangle is efficient, but the aisle between the two walls is narrow and is in the flow of traffic. This is a good plan for one cook.

U-shape
The U-shape requires a lot of space, but is very efficient. Three walls contain the th