Planning a Kitchen Remodel

Get ready for your dream kitchen.

modern kitchen remodel with dark wood base cabinets, white marble countertops, and a black tile backsplash

Tackling a kitchen remodel can be a rewarding but challenging process. The key to saving yourself from stress? A lot of planning. With a few key elements and the help of our step-by-step guide, planning your kitchen remodel idea can be seamless.

In this guide:
Step 1: List Your Wants & Needs
Step 2: Set Your Budget
Step 3: Develop a Design Plan
Step 4: Establish a (Realistic) Timeline
Step 5: Finalize Your Checklist

Have any questions about the information below? Connect with a design expert to get started.

Step 1: List Your Wants & Needs

mid-century modern kitchen remodel with black cabinets, tile floors, and a beige geometric backsplash

Creating a list of wants and needs is a great place to start when creating a home renovation checklist. A new oven may be at the top of the list of needs, while a wine cooler may top the wants list. These lists are a great way to keep everyone on the same page. Consider the following elements of your kitchen and how they will play into your renovation plan:

Cabinetry: Remodeling may involve refreshing your current cabinets with new hardware or opting for all new cabinetry (stock or custom) for a fresh start. You’ll want to consider your storage requirements when deciding how cabinetry will factor into your remodel.

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Flooring: Flooring will impact the installation of your cabinets and appliances, so you’ll have to decide if you want to keep your current flooring or replace that as well. Durable and easy to clean, tile and hardwood are common flooring options for kitchens.

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Appliances: Look at your appliances and see what you will keep or replace. Most major kitchen appliances last between 10–15 years depending on usage. If your appliances are old or in need of repairs, consider upgrading them to current, more efficient models.

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Kitchen Layout: It’s important to decide whether you are happy with the layout of your kitchen or if you want to remodel it to suit your needs better. Factor in accessibility, workspace, and storage when deciding on a layout.

Tip!

Want to find a kitchen layout that works for your space? Read Types of Kitchen Layouts for a Perfect Floor Plan for inspiration.

Step 2: Set Your Budget

Setting a budget will help you create the kitchen of your dreams while ensuring your project is realistic for your price point. On average, a full kitchen remodel can cost $22,000 or more, but this can vary substantially based on the size of your kitchen, your desired upgrades, and the price of materials and labor in your area. If you plan to hire a contractor or require plumbing or electrical changes, don’t forget to factor in the cost of these services.

Other major costs associated with kitchen remodeling are new appliances and their installation, flooring and walls, cabinets and countertops, and other fixtures like faucets and lighting.
Each piece of your remodel will impact your final cost, so you’ll have to decide where you want to invest or opt for budget-friendly alternatives.

For instance, if you are considering stock vs. custom cabinetry, there will be a difference in price point. If you opt for custom cabinets, the price depends greatly on the size of your kitchen, your desired layout and storage capacity, and the materials you choose. Our design experts will work with you to understand your budget for the project before getting started. Read Designing Cabinets: Everything You Need to Know About Custom Cabinet Design to learn more.

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Tip!

You can learn more about the cost of a kitchen remodel in our guide How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? Keep in mind that with any renovation you might go over budget, as it is common to run into unforeseen issues.

Step 3: Develop a Design Plan

Once you’ve crunched the numbers and set a budget, it’s time to build a design plan. This is a comprehensive blueprint that moves beyond aesthetics, showing how you’ll use the space in your kitchen. Now is the time to take precise measurements of your kitchen, choose materials and appliances, and finalize electrical and plumbing schematics.

This step may also include finding the right people to help. Based on your comfort level with renovations, it can be helpful to hire a designer and contractor to provide professional advice. Your design plan will transform your vague list of wishes into a technical roadmap that your contractor can follow.

Tip!

Getting measurements right is key to the success of your kitchen renovation. Read How to Measure Kitchen Cabinets for Custom Cabinetry and How to Measure for Major Appliances for detailed walkthroughs.

Step 4: Establish a (Realistic) Timeline

Renovation timelines can fluctuate depending on the market, project scope, time of year, product availability, shipping estimates, and code approval. A realistic timeline for a kitchen remodel can be anywhere from three to eight months, but it’s important to have a flexible timeline to account for unexpected issues and diversions.