Architects and designers have proven time and again they know how to design an aesthetically pleasing kitchen. This is confirmed every time you open a design magazine or walk through a model home.

Design professionals especially know how to make the cooking area beautiful, and most often it becomes the focal point of the kitchen. Cooktops are pulled forward with turnings to the left and right. A recessed niche is created for cooking oils behind the cooktop. Architecturally detailed built-in hoods feature columns, corbels and onlays in every medium possible — copper, zinc, stainless steel, painted, stained, distressed and exotic woods, to name a few.

The design/build industry has been extremely creative with elaborate tile details above and around the cooking surface.

However, does each of those beautiful spaces function as beautifully and meet the individual client’s cooking needs? If the answer is no, or you don’t have an answer, then you’re doing your clients a disservice.

It’s important to ask plenty of questions to learn how clients utilize their kitchens. Ask them what type of cooking they do. Most will answer, “We’re not gourmet chefs,” or, “We don’t have time to cook.” In the majority of cases, even if clients are not gourmet chefs, they wouldn’t mind feeling like one. One way to help them feel more like a real chef is to pair them up with an appropriate cooktop. The cooktop should have a burner with a high Btu rating so if they’re making spaghetti for dinner, the water boils quickly. It also should have a burner with a low simmer setting so while the spaghetti sauce is simmering it’s not scorching or splattering all over the kitchen.

Recently, I met with a client and her cabinetmaker to finalize the kitchen layout. As we discussed the design details, we also went through each cabinet and what its function would be. We then were able to decide whether the cabinet should have drawers or doors, rollouts or shelves. We then went through each drawer, rollout and shelf to detail what type of internal accessories should be included. Once we were finished, the client said she couldn’t believe what we had accomplished. The client knew we were finalizing the design but had no idea the kitchen would be move-in ready. The client was thrilled she already knew where every item was going. Now, moving her items back into her kitchen didn’t seem like such a chore.

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