Getting Your Kitchen Started

Determine the look you want to achieve

Whether it is Traditional or Contemporary or something in between, the Kitchen Department at Curtis Lumber has more than enough style and color choices to please even the most discerning tastes. With almost limitless options for your kitchen project, it is important to narrow in on the looks, functions, and layouts that appeal to you. A great way to do this is to cut out kitchen pictures from magazines and brochures and visit kitchen websites to view their photo galleries. Even if a picture isn’t your ideal design but contains a look or design feature that you like—you should save it to share with your designer.

Determine your budget

The designers at Curtis Lumber can help you with this process. Be honest with them about your budget expectations. Cabinets, appliances, and floor coverings come in a variety of price ranges. Any kitchen or bath design can be quoted at various price ranges. Some changes may be required, but the basic design can usually be achieved.

Do some research on your own to help complete the total budget picture. Price appliances, lighting, and flooring and ask friends who have remodeled about the costs they encountered. You can also read magazines to help you mentally prepare a budget that is realistic.

Determine fixtures and appliances

Appliance selection plays a key role in the overall design and look of your new kitchen. Determine what type of appliances you want in your kitchen. Commercial cooktops, professional-grade refrigerators, and dishwashers all will impact your design. The styles and varieties of appliances have grown tremendously in recent years and have become showpieces in kitchen design. Shop your local appliance stores to narrow down your selection.

Make a list of the things you like and dislike about your current kitchen
Our designers will want to know what you are trying to accomplish with your project. You should take into consideration your current lifestyle, for example – is your kitchen clean and neat and only used for cooking, or is it a family hub full of activity? These pieces of information help the designer create a kitchen that you will fall in love with and is customized to your family’s lifestyle. Be sure to complete the Curtis Lumber Kitchen Planning Checklist prior to visiting our showroom.

• Kitchen Planning Checklist

Take some preliminary measurements
Your designer will need to know the amount of space they have to work with, so simple measurements are a key component to the process and be sure to bring it with you to your first meeting. Use Curtis Lumber’s simple kitchen cabinet measuring guide to help you through this process. Accuracy is important, however before anything is ordered a second measurement needs to be taken. The Curtis Lumber Kitchen Planner is another tool you can use to guide you through the preliminary process.

• Kitchen Planner

Consider Your Timeline
The process of creating a new kitchen is a major endeavor. Your designer needs to know upfront when you plan to complete your project. Some timelines to take into consideration: Your designer may need 1-2 weeks to create your preliminary design, Cabinetry can take from 2-8 weeks from order to arrival, and Countertops can take an additional 2-6 weeks after installation of the cabinets.

Visit One of our Kitchen Design Showrooms
Once you’ve done some of your background research, stop into our kitchen showroom and take a look at the different styles of cabinetry and countertops on display. Reach out using our kitchen design appointment form or call one of our stores a few days ahead to set up an appointment with a designer to take a guided tour and discuss your project to start you on the way to your new kitchen.

Whether you need an Albany Kitchen Showroom or you live near Oneida and our Kitchen Showroom in Hamilton is better, there’s always a Curtis Lumber Kitchen Designer nearby!