An important part of selecting the perfect house plan is finding the best kitchen design and layout.  Not just a place to prepare meals, the kitchen often serves as a gathering place, message center, and work space for family and friends.   A well-designed kitchen will not only serve the current occupants of the house, but will provide more resale value than any other room in the house. 

Kitchen Layout

When choosing your house plan, keep in mind your cooking and entertaining style.  A few questions to consider are: 

How much cooking will you be doing?

Will there be more than one cook in the kitchen? 

Would you like an island, nook, or bar where guests can gather or children can do homework?

Does anyone who will be using the kitchen have physical needs that will require customization of your kitchen? 

The most common layouts for kitchen are galley, island, and u-shaped.  The shape of your kitchen will be determined by the footprint and size of your new home. 

A galley-style kitchen is long and narrow, with cabinets facing each other.  The stove is usually on one side, and the sink on the other.  Although small, a galley kitchen can be very efficient. 

An island kitchen is a very  popular choice.  The island may have a sink and can be used for food preparation or entertaining.   Many homeowners enjoy the extra counter space and flexibility afforded by an island kitchen.

U-shaped kitchens have the advantage of extra counter space, due to their three-sided design.  Multiple cooks can work comfortably in this layout.

Regardless of layout, most kitchens use a principal known as the “work triangle” which includes the oven, refrigerator, and sink in convenient proximity to each other. 

Kitchen Materials

Kitchens are often the focal point of the home, so let your personality and lifestyle dictate the look and feel.  A general rule is to choose the highest-quality materials that are within your budget while building your kitchen.  Tearing fixtures out and replacing them later may cost more than installing what you really like during construction.  Finding the cabinetry you like and then matching flooring and countertops is the easiest way to create your dream kitchen. 

Cabinetry can be sleek and modern, or more traditional and ornate.  Formal kitchens usually have darker wood colors, while a more casual kitchen may have lighter wood or paint.  Hardware such as drawer pulls and knobs can be chosen separately or not at all.

Countertops should be beautiful and functional.  Natural stones such as granite and soapstone are popular design choices, as are man-made solid surfaces such as Corian and Silestone.  Laminate is an affordable alternative, though not as wear-resistant or resell-friendly as a solid surface.   Your choice of countertops will dictate whether your sink will be undermounted or drop-in. 

The flooring in your kitchen must be resistant to moisture and staining.  Natural wood and ceramic tile are beautiful and functional choices.  Laminate flooring is often used as it is budget-friendly, easy to maintain, and comes in many wood-grain and color choices.  When choosing your kitchen flooring, keep in mind the adjoining rooms.

Designing your new kitchen is a fun and exciting part of building your own home.  Keep in mind your ideal layout and entertaining habits while shopping for your new house plans, and let your personality be your guide.

Best wishes in the building of your new home!