Studies show that the typical person spends an average of five years of their life in the kitchen or bathroom.

In fact, it involves a significant amount of time, so there’s no denying the need to design these defining rooms for maximum comfort.

Whether you’re embarking on a new design or contemplating a kitchen or bathroom renovation, you need to understand that this space needs to be aesthetically pleasing and functional while also meeting your budget guidelines.

Kitchens and bathrooms have the biggest impact on future buyers and the potential total home price value. According to real estate professionals, the total return on your investment in these two rooms is 90 to 100 percent.

In recent years, the Kenyan property market has seen changes in kitchen and bathroom design. “Most clients want open floor plans, which for buildings with a kitchenette require the removal of walls,” says Chris Mwangi, a Nairobi-based architect.

Unless the walls involved are load-bearing, their reconfiguration is limited only by the space and imagination of the client. Kitchen designers can draw computer-aided designs (CAD) from board-accepted plans, allowing them to test different aspects of the design and provide clients with multiple views and options.

Among the critical variables in kitchen or bathroom design are budgets and schedules. A typical remodel takes 3-8 weeks, provided materials are ordered in advance.

“For a bathroom remodel, clients should be prepared to be without a working toilet for at least 3 weeks,” says Mwangi. “Most of our clients make arrangements to stay somewhere else, especially if it’s a one-bathroom unit.”

Understandably, most designers provide contracts with loose verbiage like “substantial completion.” A caveat is necessary because things often happen that are out of the designer’s control, such as waiting for materials.

“All projects have challenges that can take longer to fix, so it’s important to understand all your options now versus later,” Mwangi adds.

Regarding lighting, experts encourage the evaluation of lighting locations with an emphasis on the relationship of the house with the sun. “Another good idea is to add low wattage lighting in the bathroom under the cabinet at the base and in the kitchen add low wattage above and under the cabinets,” he concludes.