You can put a new twist on an old recipe or construct a brand new one step-by-step. Regardless, you first must decide:

What you have a taste for
How much you want to spend
When you want it to be done
What size and shape you prefer

Most cakes have the same basic ingredients. They don’t taste special until you stir in the chocolate chips or the raspberries. So it is with a new kitchen.

Every kitchen has the same basic design elements:

Cabinets
Appliances
Countertops
Flooring
Sinks and faucets
Walls, mouldings, and other architectural details


It’s a kitchen remodeling designer who plays the role of baker in your new kitchen remodeling plans. A designer can give your kitchen its own unique flavor by helping you find the right mix of styles, materials, and colors.

Starting points include:

The architectural style of your home—by making your home’s interior reflect its exterior, you bring continuity to the whole structure.

Your needs—perhaps you want space to cook big family meals, you’re an at-home gourmet, or you have special accessibility concerns. Your cabinets’ door style and color will have the most impact on your new kitchen’s palette by making the strongest visual statement.

Appliances also deserve top billing. Which ones you select and where you put them will determine how cook-friendly your layout is.

Next you’ll want to choose complementary countertops, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and architectural details. Don’t try to get everything to match exactly. You can best give your kitchen a certain feel by making sure everything coordinates but still keeps its own character.

It’s hard to be patient while you’re waiting for your new kitchen to be installed. Make other arrangements for your meals and protect your belongings in rooms near the work area.

When it’s all done, celebrate with a party—and some chocolate cake!