Kristina Ferrigan, Author at Normandy Remodeling

The style and type of kitchen appliances you select can dramatically influence your entire kitchen design, so it’s important to choose wisely, and to be sure you do so at the right point in the process. “Appliances impact your kitchen design in two major ways,” Normandy Designer Becca Ruggiero says. “The first is in how they use the space, and the second is the way they influence your kitchen’s aesthetic. Having both in mind can help you determine which appliances will be the best fit for your new kitchen.”

APPLIANCES AND KITCHEN SPACE PLANNING
If there is one area of kitchen design that seems to change at a rapid pace, it’s the addition of new appliance features and offerings, making it tempting to add all the latest developments. “But for every inch of space you dedicate to an appliance, you are giving up something else, whether it’s counter space, cabinet space, or aisle clearances,” notes Becca. “It’s about balancing the needs of your kitchen overall.”

Think about how different a kitchen might look and function with a 48-inch range versus an induction cooktop with wall ovens, Becca offers. “People can be tempted to go big for their appliances because they host at the holidays, but it’s important to think about how your kitchen will function year-round. Do you need two ovens on a regular Tuesday, or would you benefit more from a larger island?”

While appliance-heavy kitchen designs are very popular at the moment, when space is tight you can look to other areas of your home to integrate those less-frequently used items. “Maybe you move your microwave to a pantry or create a bar for your built-in coffee maker or beverage refrigerator,” Becca says. “They can be still usable in other areas of the home, sometimes even more so.”

KITCHEN APPLIANCE DESIGN INFLUENCE
Determine whether you want your appliances to be a major visual element in your kitchen design, generally known as statement appliances, or if you prefer paneled pieces that virtually disappear within your design. You can also opt for typical stainless appliances or a mix of paneled, statement and stainless.

“Paneled appliances are specially made to allow cabinetry panels to attach to them that match the rest of your kitchen, and not all brands offer that as an option,” shares Becca. This is an important distinction to note when making your appliance purchase, since you can’t just add a panel to a typical stainless-steel refrigerator or dishwasher.

“If you opt for a ‘wow’ factor with statement range or hood, it can dictate the rest of your kitchen’s design so it’s important to make that decision early in the process,” Becca says. “Be sure you absolutely love it though, because these types of appliances often have unique sizing so if it fails at some point, you would likely have to replace it with another of the same.”

WHEN TO BUY YOUR KITCHEN APPLIANCES
“I recommend you do not buy appliances before at least discussing your kitchen ideas with a designer,” Becca says. “Too often I’ve seen people who bought new appliances anticipating a kitchen remodel, only to learn that these new appliances don’t really fit with their overall plans. Then they have to decide whether to walk away from new appliances or compromise on their design aesthetic.”

As a general rule, statement appliances should be purchased toward the beginning of your design development, paneled appliances can be selected slightly later, and more standard sized appliances with metal fronts can be purchased at any point in the design process.

“No matter what style of kitchen appliances you choose, it’s important to finalize your appliance selections before you finalize your cabinets,” Becca cautions. “Cabinets will often be ordered to exacting specifications to account for appliance sizes, aisle clearances, cabinetry alignment, and water line or electrical needs.”

The right appliances can not only bring you joy when cooking and entertaining, they can create that one-of-a-kind look to your new kitchen that’s exactly what you were hoping to achieve. Talk with Becca about how your kitchen might come together with all the appliances you have in mind. You can also find inspiration in our photo gallery, or see the latest tips and trends on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.

A mudroom is the ultimate drop zone, the perfect place to hide all the shoes, bags, coats and sports equipment. But a mudroom is more than just an organized closet. One of the keys to making your mudroom its most useful is to incorporate thoughtful seating, which may turn out to be the most frequently accessed space in your mudroom.

“It can be tempting to use mudrooms mainly for storage, but consider carving out a small space for sitting,” says Normandy Designer Kathryn O’Donovan. “From teaching kids to sit and take off shoes when they come in the house, to having a place to sit and wash your dog’s paws after a walk or set your groceries down, mudroom seating is a functional luxury.”

Kathryn suggests examining how much space you have and determine if seating would take away from your needed storage capacity. “When it comes to storage versus seating, what is the highest priority? Think about what is most important to you and your household, what your needs are, and what you are willing to sacrifice, especially if you’re dealing with a smaller area,” she says.

But don’t assume all the space you dedicate to seating is a lost opportunity for storage. “Your mudroom seating can include additional storage above and below,” notes Kathryn. “Benches with a flip-top lid can be the perfect place for bulky or unruly items, think sporting equipment or off-season shoes and boots. Or you may opt for a more structured storage below the bench with shelves or cubbies for shoes.” Hooks for everything from coats to dog leashes can also be added to the wall behind the seating space to really maximize storage.

When planning space for your mudroom seating, the minimum suggested width for one person to sit is 30 to 36 inches, with 18 inches allotted for both depth and height, according to Kathryn. “These are recommendations for comfortable seating. You can always adjust to the needs of your household but consider your seating to storage ratio.”

Mudroom seating options like benches can also be a design solution. “A bench is a perfect solution if you have a window to design around, and can create a beautiful focal point,” Kathryn says.

To that point, Kathryn suggests using your mudroom seating area to experiment with different fabrics, patterns and colors for the cushions and pillows. “Mudrooms are a great place to have fun with styling, especially if it’s an area that gets a lot of passing traffic,” Kathryn says.

Mudrooms are a great complement to nearly any major home upgrade. Set up a time to talk with Kathryn about your plans for a kitchen remodel, first floor revamp, or whole home makeover, and find out if a mudroom can fit into your home remodeling plans. To get the latest design ideas and tips, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, Pinterest or LinkedIn.