When you look to re-model your kitchen there are three major things to look at and consider before you purchase cabinetry. The appearance or style of your project is the first thing to explore. The style and color of your cabinetry and counter tops will change not only the look of your cabinetry but the appearance of the whole room. The second major item to look at is your foot print. Can the design be changed towards a more efficient or balanced layout? And finally the third thing to consider is cost. 

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There are several design styles that seem popular currently and shaker in white or grey with white/grey stone seem to dominate todays modern look. The Traditional style (raised panel door / stained / crown molding) will always be a standard. One version of this clean shaker style is to remove all upper cabinets and replace them with "floating shelves". Floating shelves can be done in wood or stone. Another popular version of todays modern kitchen is to use "built-in" appliances and put cabinet door panels on the face of the appliances for a true European look. Counter tops will be important to complete the look of your design. There are many choices but granite is common with quartz and sintered stone being at the fore front of the modern look. Kitchens with an island can opt to use different heights of counter top and different materials. For example: a granite 36" work top with a live edge 42" bar top at the island would be a fitting modern combination. Creatively combining styles can become many options.

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Changing the "foot print" of your kitchen can lead to amazing balance and appeal Usually the range or sink position are what you look to add or move to balance or complete your design. The scope of work to change your kitchen can vary drastically. For example if the range needs to move a foot to the left it can sometimes be easy to move the 220v line for the range one foot over. On the other hand if the addition of an island is necessary, to trench the floor and add plumbing and electrical, CAT5, not to mention gas lines along with a new floor can become involved. Several trades along with permitting now come into play. Floating shelves or floating cabinets require steel brackets to be installed behind the drywall. Upper cabinet lighting will need 110v wire pulled behind the cabinets and a low voltage light system running off of that. Having someone who is familiar with kitchen design and experience with changing the foot print of the living space can be key in having successful results regarding your overall project.

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Defining a budget can be a factor in remodeling a new kitchen. It is good to have and understand the scope of work involved to complete your new kitchen. Cabinetry, counter tops, appliances are a standard starting point. Your appliance selection can lead to the addition of  water lines for coffee makers, ice makers, pot fillers and filtration systems, drainage lines for ice makers, venting for cook tops and all needed electrical service. Venting can be in the floor for down draft systems or through the ceiling. To add a vent seems easy but this can involve not only the hood cost but drywall, HVAC, Electrical and roofing. Many appliances will need special cabinetry such as dishwasher / refrigerator door panels and farm sinks. In the case of a microwave drawer or a "flush mount" built-in range the cabinetry will need to be adjusted to receive the appliances properly. There are many styles and options available in the pursuit of your new kitchen, from clean and simple to rich and elaborate. The components used and the level of construction needed will ultimately be a deciding factor in your remodeling vision.

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Style, layout and cost will be some things at the front in your search for a new kitchen. Different cabinet styles and finishes along with a multitude of accessories are available to you in your search for a new kitchen. The variable is who is doing your design? How well does your designer actually understand what needs to happen and how to install all of this? The more involved your cabinetry and appliances are the more installation time your project will take. Most don't get this, but the installation is actually more important than the product itself. Although the product and its installation are critical sometimes the design itself can be a "make or break" factor in a successful kitchen.

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