A complete kitchen remodel represents a major investment of money and time spent without a kitchen. You don’t want to screw this up! If a new kitchen is on the horizon, take the time to lay the groundwork. Utilize online and offline kitchen remodel planner tools to make the most of your space and budget.

Start with Your Present Position

The longest trip starts with the first step. And before you go anywhere you must know your current location. A kitchen remodel is no different.

Start by drawing, either on paper or on the computer, a scale rendering of your existing kitchen. Be sure to notate elements such as electrical outlets, light switches, plumbing, HVAC and heating vents, windows, and doors.

Now, create a list of the things you dislike most about your kitchen. Is it lacking space or too dark? Do you feel it’s a Brady Bunch kitchen straight from the ’60s?

Get it all out! Begin the purge of those kitchen demons by identifying them. 

Start Dreaming

Now that you’ve taken a cold, hard look at your present situation it’s time to dream. Create your wish list.

When you think about what you want in a kitchen remodel, identify broad goals first. These can be:

• More storage
• Room for an island
• Eat-in area
• Display cabinets
• Better lighting
• Additional prep areas

You know you’re on the right track when your wish list goals address those demons identified in step one of your kitchen remodel planner.

Now is the time to create your lookbook. This can literally be a binder or folder with clippings of kitchens that appeal to you or a special Pinterest board. When you see something appealing, save it, and determine what it is about the look that appeals to you. Is it the cabinet style or are there certain colors, finishes, or textures that appeal to you?

Not sure where to start? Stop by the Inspired Remodels showroom. Get inspiration from the pros who know what it takes to turn kitchen dreams into real dream kitchens.

Start planning with Online Kitchen Remodel Planner Tools

Take the This Old House cooking style quiz. It will help you determine how to best allocate your resources.

Use the Kitchenplanner.net tool to create a new kitchen layout complete with upper and lower cabinets and appliances. Or use RoomSketcher and create a new kitchen that you can visualize with a 3D rendering.

At this stage, you are solidifying your remodel elements in broad strokes.

Fix Your Budget and Pick a Partner

Once you know roughly what it is you want in your kitchen remodel, it’s time to look at the budget. Here’s when a kitchen remodel pro can help.

When you work with a design/build firm like Inspired Remodels, they partner with you through the entire process. So, when it comes to matching the goals and the budget, they know how to make it work. Think of them as the kitchen remodel planner and executor.

If you want drama but the budget is limited, they know how to add spectacular elements, like a focal-point backsplash, that produce the results you want.

Orange County Kitchen Remodel Planner and Remodeler

Do your homework.

Check references and make apples-to-apples comparisons on your kitchen remodeling quotes.

See what others say about your contractor.

A kitchen remodel represents a large investment. Make the most of it by planning carefully and working with the pros at Inspired Remodels.