If you are reading this, chances are that you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen or you may be starting from the ground up. Designing a kitchen can be a fun challenge to some, but most people feel overwhelmed with so many decisions to make and choices to consider. Your kitchen can also be one of the most costly projects to take on thanks to high-priced items such as appliances, cabinets, countertops, lighting, and finishes, so it is important to do your homework when it comes to the busiest room in your home.

Whether you are thinking about a small makeover or a completely new kitchen, let’s explore five questions that can help you focus on what elements are important for the function of your kitchen design, as well as help create a favorite space for your friends and family to gather.

Questions to ask when designing your kitchen:

  • Why do I want to renovate my kitchen?
  • What’s my budget?
  • How do I want my kitchen to function?
  • What’s my style?
  • What type of tiles should I choose?

Question 1: Why Do I Want to Renovate My Kitchen?

There could be many reasons to redesign your kitchen. Are you looking for a change in color and style or do you need to rearrange everything to gain useful function? Looking for a mini-makeover or a big renovation? The answer to this question can make a big impact on the design itself, and the renovation process as a whole.

If what you’re looking for is a stylistic change, it can be easier – and more affordable – than you might think. Relatively simple changes, such as painting the walls different colors, selecting new hardware or light fixtures, and choosing a new backsplash, can make a huge stylistic difference without requiring major construction. However, if the purpose of your renovation also requires a change in function, moving major appliances, or even changing the layout of the space, it will affect the cost and timeline of your project and therefore determine the entire process.

Basic White 4×12 Ceramic Subway Tile

Question 2: What’s My Budget?

Kitchen renovations tend to be some of the most expensive projects in your home. With so many moving parts – cabinetry, appliances, countertops, flooring, backsplashes, and lighting – costs can pile up quickly, and that’s before talking about structural work that might be necessary, such as plumbing or electrical work. That’s why determining your budget well in advance is crucial to creating a realistic plan for your kitchen design project.

That being said, after deciding on your final budget – it’s time to start dreaming. An essential part of the creative process is asking yourself if money were not a factor, what would your new kitchen include? Re-designing your kitchen is a big, long-term investment, and you want the final result to fit your needs as much as possible and look as closest as it can to your dream kitchen. After imagining the kitchen of your dreams, you can realize that dream within the realities of your budget and your space.

Montauk Gin 4x4 Ceramic Wall Tile
Montauk Gin 4×4 Ceramic Wall Tile

Question 3: How Do I Want My Kitchen to Function?

Understanding your kitchen’s function, who uses it most, and how, will help you determine what is absolutely crucial in your design, and what can be skipped. Is your kitchen the busy heart of your house? Do you love to entertain in your kitchen? How often do you cook? Do you have a dining room, or is your kitchen also where you eat?

At the end of the day, a kitchen is first and foremost a functional room that needs to fit your lifestyle. After considering your budget, your dream kitchen, and the everyday uses for it, the creative design work can kick in with the correct planning for your kitchen in both style and function.

Layla Azul Polished Marble Mosaic Tile
Montauk Gin 4×4 Layla Azul Polished Marble Mosaic Tile

Question 4: What’s My Style?

There are many practical decisions to make when it comes to your kitchen, but determining the look and style is much more personal. The most important thing to remember is that this is your kitchen we are talking about and you are the one who will be living and working in this space every day. There are a chosen few who know exactly what they want and already have the Pinterest mood boards to prove it. But what about those who break into a cold sweat looking at countertop samples or feel overwhelmed by the countless choices for a faucet?

There is now hope for people who get lost in a sea of options thanks to the marvels of modern technology. You can preview your favorite looks in finishes like tile with the click of a button. These View-In-Your-Room visualizers allow you to explore different looks for your kitchen, taking the guesswork out of choosing your style.

Nirvana Bliss Rimmed 1" Circles Ceramic Blue Tile
Nirvana Bliss Rimmed 1″ Circles Ceramic Blue Tile

Question 5: What Type of Tiles Should I Choose?

Serving both as a practical and a style element, choosing the right tiles for your kitchen is both an integral part of the design process, and a fun one. Your kitchen is a central part of your home, and it is also a space that tends to need frequent cleaning, has to endure high temperatures, and needs to be safe for long-term use.

From flooring, to backsplashes, countertops, feature walls or even unique accents, tiles are a natural choice for your kitchen. Hard, durable, water-resistant, and mostly easy to clean. Most tiles are non-absorbent, and can endure heavy foot traffic, spills, and scratches.

But other than its durability – tiles come in multitudes of styles, materials, and designs, and can go with any style or décor. Browse TileBar’s range of kitchen tiles and mosaics: from porcelain to marble, from wood looks to encaustic patterns, find the tiles that answer all your kitchen’s questions.