Really understanding what you want your kitchen space to feel and look like is incredibly helpful, as it will guide you in identifying the materials and products that you think you will be purchasing for the space. This is not something you want to decide on later. Work through our questions and processes until you have decided on exactly what you want in your kitchen. Read more…

When you make this list, take a hard look at what you need and what you want.  The cost of a new kitchen can be very expensive, and it can often be quite surprising. So it is critical that you list your priorities in order of importance and function. Read more…

Sticking to your budget is critical.  Be prepared, because you are going to see amazing appliances and tile that will sweep you off your feet—and crush your budget!  Stay strong and focused on your numbers! Read more…

Having a strong team around you to get through your renovation is the secret sauce of a kitchen remodel. Surrounding yourself with knowledgable and experienced professionals will help get the job done properly. We have broken down what we think you should know to hire the right people. Read more…

Update your design to match your Budget and Scope

Layout of Kitchen, Cabinet door Styles & Finishes

Countertops & Backsplash Tile

Appliances, Plumbing & Light Fixtures

Window Treatments, Wall Covering, Breakfast Tables, Chairs & Stools

This is a when it all becomes reality and everything that isn’t returning to your new kitchen will be taken down and removed. It can be a very messy phase, so prepare in advance; plan for the proper waste and dust control.

Out with your old and in with your new! If you are opening up any of your space, or moving or adding any new walls, this is when they are framed out with timber. It is your opportunity to see the new space—walk through it with your general contractor and subcontractors— to make sure all of your lighting, outlet and switch locations, along with pipes and HVAC ducts, are in the right locations and will not interfere with each other. At this stage, we recommend that you tape the floor with layout of the cabinets, to make sure that your design all works.

The electrical, plumbing and HVAC are installed in the walls. Here, your time spent with subcontractors will pay off. Now is the time to check that all of the electrical is positioned properly; you can see where the lights will actually hang. Look at the where your plumber is placing the waterlines for the faucet, shower and tub; make sure they are laid out correctly. Look at the floor and ceiling vents and make sure they will not be blocked by furniture and cabinetry. This is the time to make any corrections or adjustments to your design. Once everything is installed, it will have to be inspected by the city; with approval of these items, the walls will be insulated. Once the insulation is in and walls are plastered and painted, it will be much more difficult to fix any design problems.

This is when you can really see the space come together—the walls are closed up, the drywall is plastered and the space is prepped and painted. Don’t rush the drying of the plaster—proper drying makes a big difference in the final appearance. Check our Paint Guide to see our suggestions on selecting the right coating and color. Paint sample colors on boards and walls to make sure they are right; they will look very different than they do on paint chips. Look at the colors on site, alongside the hard materials that will be in the space (cabinets, tile and counters).

If you have chosen hardwood floors, they will often be installed at this point. If you picked tile, contractors will sometimes choose to install it after they hang the cabinets. Your contractor will make the call. If you have any open-bottomed cabinets, the flooring must be installed first. See our Wood and Tile Guides for additional information. Make sure that the floors then are covered for protection for the next phases. Confirm that your cabinet delivery and counter templating dates are on your schedule.

Your cabinets should be delivered to your site a few days in advance so that the wood can settle into your environment (humid, dry or something else). Upon delivery, inspect all the pieces as they are removed from the truck; before the truck leaves, also confirm that all pieces have been delivered in the shipment—the last thing you want to do is hold off on the install because you are missing a base cabinet. A specific part of this phase can be tricky: the time between the counter templating and the counter install itself. It takes about two weeks to fabricate counters after the templating. So we recommend that you stay in touch with your stone fabricator. Schedule the templating date in advance if possible, so that you are on the fabricator’s radar and can be as efficient with your timing as possible. At the time of the templating, you will need to have your faucets and sink basins on site for accurate measurements. Also, the installer will want to know where (if any) seams will be located and what edges you want on your counter. See the Counter Guide for more information. Touch base with the tile installer, as he is up next!

We are always on site for a tile install—we do not leave it to chance! We attend to make any adjustments before the thin set and grout is applied. Sometimes a tile isn’t put in straight, or maybe there’s a cluster of dark tiles placed together that catches your eye—and not in a good way! Talk through the tile layouts, including the boarders and edges, with the installer. Everyone has a different style and approach. Do not assume you are all on the same page. Make sure you have the grout colors selected in advance and the grout onsite, along with the caulking. See our Tile Guide for more details on this phase. Make sure you have scheduled your appliance delivery before the tile work begins. Same goes for your electrical and plumbing contractors—they are usually very busy, and their schedules book up weeks in advance. Set up a temporary staging area for your appliance delivery if your appliances are not being installed right away.

You are so close now—we are sure you can taste the future cookies you will be baking in your new stove!!!! Once again, be there for the appliance delivery. Inspect all of the appliances when they arrive. Find out in advance who is responsible for installing them. Your punchlist needs to include making sure they are safely secured to the wall with the anti-tipping hardware they come with; you also want to make sure they are level. If you have face panels for the refrigerator and dishwasher, ask if the cabinet installer or appliance installer is responsible for attaching them. Be on site with the electrician when he is hanging the ceiling fixtures to make sure you are happy with the height at which they are being hung. See our Lighting Guide for those tips.

Here’s the great part of this phase: there isn’t much for you to do here! Just think good thoughts, with your fingers crossed that the city inspectors will sign off on the proper installation and safety of the work.

This is the time that you walk through your project with eagle eyes and note anything that is not finished to your specifications. We recommend that in your construction contract, you don’t have to make your final payment until you are completely satisfied. This should include having your general contractor thoroughly clean your worksite before he departs.

Putting window treatments in a kitchen is a very personal choice. If you do want them, our favorites are Roman blinds and shutters. Review our Window Treatment Guide on how to go about deciding on the right treatments for your windows.

One of our favorite design relationships is that of the counter stool and island pendants. We love the softness, color and texture stools can bring to your kitchen. It is a place that you can have fun and show your style. Stools are things that often take a beating, so their lifespan in a home does not tend to be very long. But the silver lining is that you don’t need to select stools to last for 10 to 20 years. See more on Counter Stools in our Furniture Guides.

If your space calls for a family breakfast table with chairs, this is a great opportunity to add more depth with whatever materials you choose. We recommend that your table does not compete for attention in the space, but works alongside what you have going on. You also want to make sure that the stools and chairs relate to each other. If you have a light fixture over the table, take that into consideration as well. Here you need to think about the balance and choosing practical materials for this area, you are in luck—see our Furniture Guide.

We believe that a kitchen screams for well placed functional accents. We love a beautiful tray on the island that can functionally hold a notepad, today’s mail and a small box that can hold important knickknacks. You should add a plant or flower arrangement (faux or live) for some color and life. We love to put our herbs on a back counter in a pretty long tray and small pots. Read about all of our Kitchen Styling Tips.