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Designing a Kitchen for Your New Home

June 6, 2024

Designing a kitchen is more than just choosing cabinets and countertops; it’s about creating a space that fits your lifestyle. As the heart of your home, the kitchen is where you gather with family, entertain friends, and create culinary masterpieces. At New Tradition Homes, we understand the significance of this space and are here to help you design a functional and beautiful kitchen. In this blog, we’ll walk you through key considerations and kitchen design tips, introduce you to our home Design Studio, and show you how our team can help you bring your dream kitchen to life.

What are Some Considerations & Tips When Designing a Kitchen?

Consider Your Kitchen Layout

When you design a kitchen layout, it's essential to think about the workflow and how you’ll use the space daily. The kitchen work triangle is a classic design principle that places the sink, stove, and refrigerator within easy reach of one another. As a rule of thumb, the distances between each shouldn’t equal more than 26 feet combined. This layout minimizes unnecessary steps and makes cooking more efficient. If you’re not one to cook often, think about the tasks you frequently do in your kitchen and design the layout to best meet those needs. For example, keep all your coffee supplies within one location for quick and easy preparation (tired you will be thankful in the morning).

Plan For Proper Spacing

Planning the spacing within a custom-design kitchen is crucial to ensure smooth traffic flow and comfortable movement. Walkways should be at least 36 inches wide, while paths in cooking zones should be 42 inches wide for a single-cook kitchen and 48 inches wide for a multi-cook layout. Consider the placement of appliances and work areas to allow space to place hot items, avoid bottlenecks, and ensure that doors, drawers, and appliances can be opened without obstruction. Proper spacing enhances the functionality and safety of your kitchen, creating a welcoming and efficient environment for cooking and entertaining.

Prioritize Quality Countertops

Countertops are a top priority when discussing kitchen design tips. They’re a major focal point in the kitchen, so they must be aesthetically pleasing and withstand daily wear and tear. Materials like granite, quartz, and marble are popular for their durability and appealing style. Butcher blocks offer utility, but require frequent oiling and stainless steel is popular among professional chefs, however, it can give a residential kitchen a more industrial look. Consider how you use your countertops and choose a material that suits your lifestyle.

Lighting Matters

Good lighting is important in the kitchen. It enhances the functionality and ambiance of the space. Incorporate a mix of task, ambient, and accent lighting to create a well-lit environment. Under-cabinet lighting can provide additional illumination for cooking tasks, while pendant lights over the island add a stylish touch.

Add Personal Touches

Your kitchen should reflect your personality and style. Consider adding custom elements like a unique backsplash, a farmhouse sink, or open shelving to display your favorite dishes. Don’t forget about flooring and hardware. The floors should be easy to clean from spills while the hardware should match the look you’re going for. These personal touches can make your kitchen feel truly yours.

Working with Our Home Design Studio

New Tradition Homes understands that designing a kitchen is a significant part of creating your dream home. Our Design Studio is here to make the process smooth and enjoyable. When you work with us, you'll have access to a team of professionally trained designers who will guide you through every step of the process, from selecting materials to finalizing the layout.

Personalized Design Experience

Our Design Studio offers a personalized experience where you can choose from a wide range of finishes, fixtures, and features. Whether you’re looking for a modern aesthetic or a more traditional look, we have options to suit every taste. Bring along your own inspiration (photos, swatches, magazine cutouts, pictures of your favorite furniture, etc.), or find it at one of our model homes in Vancouver and the Tri-Cities area. Our designers are skilled in helping you stay within your budget, find options that fit your lifestyle, and learn the maintenance requirements of different materials. They’re ready to help you create a beautiful and functional kitchen!

Plan Your Path

New Tradition Homes prides itself on offering extensive personalization options. From cabinets to countertops, flooring to lighting, you can tailor every aspect of your kitchen to your preferences. This level of personalization ensures that your kitchen is a true reflection of your style and meets your specific needs.

We also have hundreds of Included Features and additional Standard Options. When the home is personalized using the NTH Personal Options, it will be on the FAST PATH for completion (due to maximum efficiency and no added time for design, research, estimating, engineering, permits, and construction.)

Energy Efficiency

We’re proud to be the industry leaders for energy-efficient home builders in Washington State, and the US as one of the first builders to be ENERGY STAR NextGen™ certified. We’re committed to building energy-efficient homes that save you money on utility bills and reduce your environmental footprint. Our kitchens include energy-efficient appliances and sustainable materials, ensuring your new home is as green as it is gorgeous.

Connect with New Tradition Homes Today!

As the premier builder among Vancouver and Tri-Cities home builders, New Tradition Homes can’t wait to help you design your kitchen. Designing a kitchen is a journey that transforms a house into a home. With us, you have our support and expertise to bring your vision to life. Whether you're just starting to design your kitchen layout or need more personalized kitchen design tips, we’re here to help. 

Ready to start designing your ideal kitchen? Contact us today by phone or online and explore our communities and floor plans for inspiration. Let’s build the kitchen – and the home – of your dreams together!