Kitchen Remodeling: 5 Reasons Appliances Come First

Remodeling a kitchen is a huge undertaking, and it can be difficult to know where to begin. Fortunately, we have an answer: Always begin with kitchen appliances! They're the most important part of your kitchen, and before you do anything else - even before you choose your color scheme - locking up your appliance choices should be your first priority. We recently sat down with James Romanelli, founder of Lifetime Design in Deer Park, New York, to learn the reasons appliances should be at the top of your remodeling to-do list!

You'll Get What You Need

Your appliances are the lifeblood of your kitchen. They cook your dinners, reheat your leftovers, clean your dishes, and keep food fresh. That's why you need to seek out appliance models with the capacities and capabilities to do everything you require from your cocina. How many people live in your household? Do you host any major holidays? Is your home frequently overrun by hungry teenagers? If you choose the appliances first, you're prioritizing the functionality required for every kitchen task.

You'll Get What You Want

A practical kitchen is important, but don't forget to factor in the fun parts! Renovating a kitchen is not something that happens every day, so seize the opportunity to outfit the room with the appliance styles you want. Do you love the look of a French door refrigerator? Have you always been intrigued by induction cooking? Do you prefer bold colors over stainless steel? Don't forget that new construction means a golden opportunity to expand your kitchen to accommodate new styles of appliances. Does the kitchen of your dreams include a built-in refrigerator or a double wall oven? This is your big chance to make your culinary vision a reality!

You'll Make Sure Everything Fits

The ideal kitchen layout features an arrangement called the "work triangle," and its vertices are created by your refrigerator, range, and sink. This maximizes convenience during food prep by keeping everything easily accessible and within a reasonable distance of each other. Choosing appliances first means you'll be able to measure out a preview of your kitchen's work triangle and ensure everything will fit properly. When you know exactly what you're adding, everything else becomes much easier to plan.

You'll Be Able to Make Proper Technical Preparations

Knowing which appliances are coming in means you (or your contractor) will know exactly what needs to be added in terms of power and plumbing. Does your chosen range require a power outlet different from the one that's already in place? Does your dream refrigerator require new plumbing for a built-in water dispenser? If the technical stuff is ready to go before your selected appliances arrive, the actual installation will go much more smoothly.

They're Not Easy to Change

Kitchen appliances are generally not something to be indecisive about. Not only are they a large investment - they're also just plain large! Permanent kitchen appliances are very difficult to change once they've been installed, and we're pretty sure you wouldn't want to spend money on another brand-new refrigerator immediately after you'd just purchased one. Being firm in your appliance decision early on will bring you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you've got nowhere to go but forward in your new kitchen's construction.

About Lifetime Design

Since 1994, Lifetime Design has worked with architects, contractors, and designers to deliver unparalleled craftsmanship in the art of fine woodworking for kitchens and beyond. Lifetime Design is a member of the Architectural Woodwork Institute and licensed by the AWI Quality Certification Program to guarantee excellence in any home project. For more information on what Lifetime Design can do for your kitchen remodeling project, please visit their website at lifetimedesigncorp.com.