How to plan a kitchen remodel – important points to consider

Not in love with your kitchen? The space doesn’t function for you or you don’t like the style? Read on for recommendations on how to create a kitchen space that works for your lifestyle with options for any budget.

The kitchen, without a doubt, is one of the most important rooms in our homes. In traditional homes, the kitchen was a room distinct from other rooms in a home. Important meals were prepared in the kitchen and perhaps family ate around a kitchen table, but traditional kitchens were not used for socializing Today, kitchens are open and connected to spaces that allow for better interaction with family and friends. Kids hang-out with friends and complete homework, adults host book club, holiday dinners and crazy parties. Today’s kitchens are all about connection and socializing.

1. Create a Vision Board

This is a critical first step in designing a kitchen you love. There are an overwhelming number of choices available. Create an inspiration/idea/vision board or electronic collection of ideas. This will help you identify the decorative and functional features that are important to you.

Follow my kitchen remodel Pinterest board here:

Another source of inspiration? Head to kitchen design galleries or big box stores like Lowes and Home Depot. Tour the kitchen demo section and take pictures of the features you like.

I am still a big fan of magazines. My current favorites are HGTV, Architectural Digest, and Traditional Home. I also collect pages from catalogs I receive in the mail. I love the styles found in Restoration Hardware, Ballard Design, and CB2. I have several file folder boxes that I use as idea boxes to store all of the pages I tear out.

Once you have collected your ideas, start to assemble you dream kitchen using a display board. Try this DIY Inspiration board from House of Smiths. You will feel accomplished, organized, and inspired!

2. Outline how you plan to use your kitchen

How is your kitchen layout today? Make a list of what you like, what is working, what isn’t working, and what annoys you. Are you bumping into the island overtime you need something from the pantry? Are the dishwater, refrigerator, garbage, and recycling conveniently located?

How do you use the space? For meal prep, baking, canning, entertaining, homework/work, entertaining, or all of the above? Answering these questions will be important in identifying what types of appliances, cabinets, counters, gadgets, dishes, or cooking supplies you will need. It’s also important to ensure you have enough storage for all of these extra items. You can have the best kitchen accessories in the world, but if you can’t get to them you won’t use them. Spoken from personal experience 🙁 If you work hard in the kitchen, you need to make sure the materials you select for the counters and cabinets can keep up with you.

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3. Consider style options

Farmhouse

Joanna and Chip Gaines from Fixer Upper certainly brought this style mainstream. However, it has been popular for many years. Farmhouse style is cozy and everyone and everything feels welcome. Clean lines of contemporary design can be combined with farmhouse style to create a fresh take on country living decor. This style is recognized by its warmth and simplicity, utilizing natural textures and materials like wood or galvanized steel.

Farmhouse Kitchen Photo courtesy of Alair Homes.

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Traditional

‘Old is Gold’, as the saying goes. Traditional kitchen style is simple and comfortable, leaving you with a feeling of the good old days. The layout provides a welcoming atmosphere suited for time with family and friends.

White cabinets are a popular choice for traditional kitchens, providing a clean image and brightening spaces. Richly stained dark wood is also popular and the room can be lightened with creamy white counters and flooring. Another beautiful trend is black lower cabinets with lighter upper cabinetry or open shelving. Black cabinets certainly add an elegant touch to traditional style.

Traditional Kitchen Photo courtesy of Homedit.

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Modern

The modern kitchen style incorporates the latest kitchen trends, which are quite exciting. Modern kitchens are sleek and are designed to ensure the kitchen is free of clutter. These kitchens often utilize stainless steel, concrete, quartz or engineered stone for the counters. In some cases high gloss, unexpected colors are used for the cabinetry. This style works well for small and wide, open spaces.

Modern Kitchen Photo courtesy of Building Modern.

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Boho (Bohemian) Chic

Bohemian decor originated in Central-eastern Europe and was commonly used by the nomads and artists. It incorporates a number of different styles and blends with most cultures. A major benefit of boho design is that you can utilize what you already have. Use what you have collected, including old art, vintage or antique pieces, and fabrics. Nothing needs to match and the more it doesn’t match, the better to overall look.

A boho kitchen is warm and relaxed. Do not be afraid to mix up the colors and patterns for an unexpected and unique look. You can paint the walls with bright color or mixed colors. Use interesting ceiling pendants, display brightly colored or patterned dishes and serving wear, incorporate vintage cabinets, and finish of the floors with worn antique or ethnic rugs. Add a few plants to finish of the space. These features provide a boho kitchen with an artistic feel.

Boho Kitchen Photo courtesy of Vintage Sparkle.

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Determine your budget and stick with it

If you are just looking to refresh your kitchen or you want to change the style, you can probably get away with changing a few kitchen design elements and you might even be able to do this over time to minimize the immediate drain on your finances. However, if you are addressing challenges to related to how the kitchen functions, you will likely need a more comprehensive kitchen remodel that will require a more significant financial commitment.

Low-budget decor/color/fixture update

Don’t have a big budget for your kitchen project? Consider simple changes. These can include painting cabinets, removing cabinet doors for open shelving, adding glass to cabinet doors, adding a backsplash, or even building a DIY kitchen island.

Check out this great DIY kitchen remodel project by Kate at Housemix.

Mid-Budget Renovation

A great way to manage your kitchen renovation is to update the space, while maintaining the layout. This strategy prevents the need to move water, gas lines, and electrical wiring, which can add significantly to the cost of a kitchen remodel. Consider refacing cabinets and existing islands, Painting the cabinets, replacing counters and installing new flooring. A mid-level project might require the help of an expert mixed with as much DIY as you can manage.

Check out this great DIY kitchen remodel from Studio McGee.

Significant remodel (e.g. combining kitchen with adjacent space)

Larger kitchen remodel projects might involve moving appliances, windows, and removing walls are more involved. Your city might require a permit and use of licensed plumbers and electricians, so be sure to check so your project isn’t shut-down. If you are planning to remove a wall, you should consult with a structural engineer to determine if the wall is load bearing. If you decide to proceed, the engineer can provide solutions. These large projects often require new cabinets, counters, flooring. All these factors add to the cost and timeline.

Check out this great kitchen remodel project from So Much Better With Age.

Determine if this is a DIY or contractor project

After you have considered all of your options, which style do you love and which path will you take? If you decide to go with a more DIY approach, it might still be worthwhile to invest in a little help with measuring and design services from stores like Home Depot, Lowes, or Ikea. This can save you from a lot of challenges and issues down the road.

Have a kitchen project you tackled? Please share your finished project and tips.

Let’s get to work! Laura