What does a kitchen design package include?
A measured survey of the room, floor plan options, cabinet elevations, an electrical and lighting layout, appliance specifications, and a selections schedule. When a permit is needed, we also prepare the drawings the building department asks for. The goal is one set of documents that everyone builds from.
Where should the refrigerator go?
At the edge of the work area, where family members can reach it without crossing the cook's path. A refrigerator at the end of a run, beside a landing counter, works best. Doors should swing clear of the aisle and any adjacent wall, so we check the swing before drawing the cabinets.
How do I plan a breakfast nook without blocking the aisle?
Keep walkways at least 36 inches clear around the table and bench. A built-in bench with storage beneath saves floor space compared with loose chairs. Place the nook away from the range and the refrigerator, so nobody sits in the way of a hot pan or an open door.
Can a laundry room be planned together with the kitchen?
Yes, and it often saves effort. Plumbing, electrical and dryer venting can share a wall, and matching finishes keep two rooms reading as one. Dryers must vent to the outside, so we trace the duct route before settling on the plan, especially in a condo.
Which decisions must be final before cabinets are ordered?
The layout, the appliance models, the sink and faucet, the countertop material and the cabinet door style. Each one changes a cutout or a dimension in the shop drawings. Changing one after production starts usually means a new order, so we sign off a written cabinet drawing with you first.
Does the plan change if I want to move a window?
Yes. In Miami-Dade and Broward a new or relocated window must be a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone approved product and needs a permit, and a wider opening may need a header. The cabinets, backsplash and lighting plan all depend on the final window location, so we set it first.
Is a workstation sink worth planning in?
If you cook a lot, yes. A workstation sink has a ledge for sliding cutting boards, colanders and racks, so the sink becomes a prep zone. It needs a slightly larger base cabinet and a compatible countertop cutout, so it has to be chosen before the stone is templated.
How are outlets and switches planned in a kitchen?
The electrical code sets the spacing of counter receptacles and requires ground-fault protection near water. We draw every outlet, switch and light on the plan, add dedicated circuits for the range, dishwasher and refrigerator, and place outlets on islands where code allows. All of it is inspected before the walls close.
