A kitchen remodel is an opportunity to make a home feel new again. It can be a minor makeover or a major overhaul.

A good kitchen remodel will take into account all aspects of the space, including the lighting. You can also add a booth to the kitchen to create a visual boundary without imposing walls.

Redesigning the Layout

As the hub of modern home life, the kitchen has long since surpassed serving a single function. With the kitchen now a common gathering spot for eating, entertaining and working as well, it’s important to plan for all of the ways you’ll use the space before making any remodeling decisions.

The best layout ideas for your kitchen start with the basic structure and shape of your room. For example, the L-shaped kitchen is a good choice for narrow spaces because it allows you to create a tight work triangle while keeping all cabinets and appliances close together.

Another option is the U-shaped layout, which gives you plenty of room to move and still accommodates the working triangle. If you have a larger room, consider an island or peninsula kitchen design that provides extra storage and seating. Seating options are almost endless, too – from banquette seating and breakfast nooks to high-top tables that double as prep surfaces.

Adding Appliances

Adding new kitchen appliances can breathe fresh style and modern convenience into your home while making it more appealing to buyers when it comes time to sell. Stainless-steel appliances continue to be the favorite choice for many homeowners and can make an impressive impression on potential buyers.

Taking the time to create a wish list and research appliance features can help you find the perfect fit for your kitchen layout and your lifestyle. Retailers often offer product demonstrations and can guide you through the process of matching your needs to the specific features available in each brand.

It is recommended that you choose and purchase your appliances prior to creating a final kitchen design. Swapping out your appliances mid-remodel can add expense and delay project completion. This is particularly true for specialty items like hoods, which typically need to be custom ordered and installed. Adding these appliances prior to the remodel can also ensure they will fit properly in the existing cutouts and locations of your current kitchen.

Adding Storage

Keeping the kitchen organized is about more than just filling drawers and cabinets. Kitchen storage solutions should be smart, intuitive and designed to fit the way you use your cook space.

For example, if you use your counters for prepping and cooking, consider a built-in banquette seating area to add extra workspace and make the room feel more welcoming. Or, repurpose an orphan file holder to corral foil and cling wrap, paper bags, tea towels and more. On The Banks of Squaw Creek and Classy Clutter offer tutorials for similar ideas.

Another way to customize your storage is by layering the heights of surfaces. If you have the ceiling height to spare, a wall of upper cabinets can provide convenient storage for items that aren’t used often, like serving platters and other special occasion dishes. The sky’s the limit when it comes to customizing your kitchen, so look for inventive ways to make good use of every inch of available real estate.

Adding Finishes

Whether you channel your inner Ina Garten and shop the local farmers’ markets or are more of a Costco-freak, it pays to keep your kitchen as well-stocked as possible. But before you start adding storage and workspace, determine what works best for your lifestyle — and consider how those options may affect the layout.

Once you have a handle on your essentials, play around with finishes. Mix and match hardware metals until you find a combination that makes you happy, then look for ways to tie those elements together with backsplash tile, countertop colors, stools, and other details.

Metallics continue to be popular, with bronze and copper seeing strong sales. There is also a shift away from shiny brass toward a darker, warmer tone that looks more like stainless steel but still adds visual interest. Then, consider using statement lighting to showcase the finish you prefer. This approach can also help define spaces without creating physical barriers.