Our advice - take the time to think through your design. Your kitchen has to be equal parts function and beauty because, after all, your kitchen will be lived in. Start with our checklist, then begin gathering ‘what you like' in the Holiday Kitchens workbook, then utilize the expertise of a Holiday Kitchens dealer to pull it all together.

Function.

Design your kitchen around how you live. To do so, ask yourself the following questions:

1. How many people live in your household and how do they utilize the kitchen? Are your children of the age to make things for themselves? Do meals primarily consist of warm-ups in the microwave or do you spend a lot of time making meals?
2. Do you need more room to watch over small children or make room for two or more cooks?
3. If you have small children, consider a breakfast bar where children can safely spend time while parents are busy in the kitchen. Magnetic locks on cabinets are a worthwhile investment.
4. Is your kitchen a social center as well? Do you spend time at the kitchen table helping with homework or organizing game night?
5. Design your kitchen around the work triangle - an efficient path between sink, stove and refrigerator. The total number of feet between these three work areas should be between 12 - 23 feet.
6. Does your kitchen island interfere with the path of the triangle?
7. Is your dishwasher close to your sink?
8. Do you have a safe and convenient space allotted for waste and recycling?
9. How do you want your kitchen island to function? Will it be used to roll pastry? Then consider marble tile inserts. Will it house your sink or an under-counter refrigerator?
10. Did you allow for counter space next to your refrigerator? This is the perfect place to set groceries or items you're gathering from the fridge.
11. Have you allowed 36 inch wide traffic paths?
12. Did you allow for counter space on either side of your stove? You'll need this space to quickly set down hot items.
13. How much counter space do you need?
14. How much kitchen storage do you need?
15. Does an eat-in kitchen or breakfast nook make sense? Or an island with bar stools? Or a raised counter that serves as a breakfast bar?
16. Does your family need a kitchen desk?
17. Do you need wine storage?
18. Would you like a window garden for herbs?
19. Do you do laundry near the kitchen?
20. Do you need to store linens in the kitchen?
21. If you have a smaller kitchen, will an overhead rack help you gain much needed storage space? Does it make sense to run cabinets all the way up to the ceiling?
22. Make a list of the appliances, dishes, pans and cookware you have. Work with a designer to determine what special drawer and storage options exist that allow you to avoid clutter.

Form.

1. What is your budget?
2. What are the must haves? The nice-to-haves?
3. Do you prefer wood cabinetry? If so, which species?
4. Do you want colorful cabinetry?
5. Do you prefer full access cabinetry or traditional?
6. Do you like drawer and cabinet pulls?
7. What look do you prefer? Classic? Eclectic? Modern?
8. Does your proposed style fit well with the remainder of your home?
9. Do you want soft, under-cabinet lighting?
10. Do you prefer a kitchen that always looks neat and uncluttered? Or is it preferable that your appliances, family photos and fruit baskets be visible?