Kitchen Remodel Overview

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Overview & Checklist

This post, which is part of our guide to kitchen remodeling contains an extensive 101-point kitchen planning checklist.

But a checklist is only a tool. It’s like a hammer. You need to know what it is you are trying to achieve before you hit the nail.

So look at the checklist simply as a tool to achieve your kitchen remodel layout and design goals. So let’s first put the checklist in context.

Kitchen Remodels

The kitchen is the focal point of the modern home for everyday living, and also entertaining family and friends. The kitchen has become a multipurpose room. It is no longer just where you cook food. It is where you do homework, and pay bills. It’s where the family comes together. Even the process of cooking itself has become a participatory event.

The kitchen is the most utilized room in the home. So, we want the kitchen to be stylish, aesthetically pleasing, functional, and comfortable. We want plenty of storage and lots of work areas.

Where to Start? 

First, you must adopt a “write it down” mindset. Please take a look at our post on how to approach a whole house remodel. 

This will put the kitchen in context and help you get off on the right foot, especially with getting and staying organized.

And, again we emphasize starting out with a 3-ring organizer binder. Or you can get a purpose-made remodeling planner. 

Now we’ll get on with what to consider when remodeling a kitchen specifically.

• Related post: Remodel Checklist

The Kitchen Space Itself

See if you can (and should) reconfigure the entire kitchen space. Depending on the home, the most transformative improvement to the kitchen space comes from creating a great room effect. This involves the careful removal of walls, raising of ceilings, and re-engineering of roof supports. 

This sounds dramatic but it can be surprisingly inexpensive. And the effect can certainly be dramatic. Doing this one thing can add to the home’s value by updating it. This is quite apart from the improvements you will be making to the kitchen itself. 

So we recommend bringing in an experienced remodeling contractor to assess the feasibility and cost of doing this.

Address the 7 Major Kitchen Space Design Elements

Now consider the kitchen design elements listed below individually and as they relate to each other. All of these need material selection and orchestration. 

And please also refer to our more technical post on kitchen design standards and the Illinois Rules. After this, you will be in a position to complete the kitchen checklist-wishlist we have set out further below in this post 

• Related post: Kitchen Layout

Multiple Workstations

This is an informal development of the basic “work triangle.” Multiple workstations allow two to four people to work efficiently on food preparation without getting in each other’s way. Food prep becomes a social event.

We create a workstation simply by providing counter space within easy reach of an appliance or sink. The easiest way to do this is by adding a kitchen island. The addition of seating at the island creates a conversation center, somewhere to do homework, or handle household correspondence.

The addition of an island completes the design of the basic kitchen infrastructure. We now turn to the finish items.

Cabinetry

Cabinets are the most costly of the finish items but range widely in cost depending on whether they are custom, semi-custom, RTA (Ready to Assemble), or from stock. They also vary in wood and finish options and in the mechanics of their drawers and hinges. 

When selecting cabinetry pay close attention to storage options. Maximize the use of pull-outs. Use lazy susans to take advantage of otherwise lost corner space. Consider drawers versus cupboards. More on this is below.

• Related post: Kitchen Cabinets

Countertops & Backsplashes

Countertops are potentially the next most costly finish items after cabinets. Avoid using cheap laminate countertops. If you are going to the expense of a remodel anyway, budget for more durable and beautiful materials. 

Use quartz, granite, or Corian. If eventual resale is a consideration, laminate countertops will hurt you. 

Countertops are typically complemented by custom backsplashes in a matching or contrasting material.

• Related post: Countertop Materials

Flooring

As with countertops, if you are going to the expense of a remodel anyway, budget for tile, hardwood, or LVF-type vinyl. A good-looking tile can be surprisingly inexpensive. 

On a side note, many people like to carry the same flooring material used in the kitchen throughout the home. This brings an element of cohesion into a home remodel project.

• Related post: Flooring Material

Kitchen Sinks

Kitchen sinks come in many different materials (cast iron, stainless steel, fiberglass, and plastic). And they come in different configurations and in a variety of sizes and features (single-bowl, double-bowl, deep or shallow). They can be top mounted (where a flange at the top edge of the sink sits on top of the counter). Or they can be under-mount (where the surface of the counter sweeps directly into the sink.

Our recommendation is the double bowl stainless steel under-mounted sink.

• Related post: Kitchen Sinks

Kitchen Faucets

Kitchen faucets come in a variety of finishes. We have seen brass, nickel, chrome, stainless steel, and oiled bronze. And some of these have brushed finishes. 

Faucet options include pull-out sprayers, single-levers, double-handles, and pot fillers. Make sure you consider the “hands-free” type too.

• Related post: Kitchen Faucets

Appliances

Appliances are free-standing or built-in if space is at a premium. Refrigerators are full-depth or counter-depth, side-by-side, or with top or bottom-mounted freezers. 

Range options include gas or electric (halogen, smooth top, induction). Ovens are single, double, and/or convection. 

Appliances also include microwaves, disposals, dishwashers, range hoods, and downdraft vents.

We like the separate cooktop and wall oven arrangement as opposed to the slide-in range. More on this is below.

See the below for many posts on appliances.

Main Cost Factor

Keep in mind that when developing a budget for a kitchen remodel the single major factor is the cost of the finishes and fixtures you choose. The cost of labor does not change.

The key to a successful kitchen remodel is in developing an appropriate scope of work and in the selection of materials and products. Our kitchen checklist below will help you do this.

Kitchen Wish List-Checklist

This Kitchen Checklist-to-Wish List is a brainstorming tool to generate your own ideas as to how your new kitchen should look and perform. And here are 3 preliminary tips:

First, off the top of your head, what are the three topics that come immediately to mind when you think of your kitchen remodel?

Second, consider whether the kitchen must accommodate anyone with special needs.

• Related post: Kitchens for the Elderly

Third, copy and paste the text below into a Word or Google doc and highlight words that get a reaction either positively or negatively. Add a comment in the margin.

Note: When it comes to cabinetry, some of these questions may appear redundant. But they are asked this way because cabinetry is really a subject all its own. It is the most expensive of your new kitchen’s components and it is the last thing you want to make a mistake over.

Of course, there are no remodeling mistakes that money can’t cure. But why make the mistake in the first place?

Use of Kitchen

1: Do you like family and guests welcomed into the kitchen (to help, to visit) or nearby or separated from the kitchen?

2: Do you want others to be able to cook/prepare food at the same time? Additional work triangle?

3: Is the primary cook left-handed or right-handed?

4: Does the cook have special needs (height, disabilities, etc)?

5: Do you retain caterers to prepare, serve and clean up meals for entertainment?

6: Do you want family members/guests to eat at the kitchen table or kitchen counter or in a separate dining room or family room? Do small children need to be considered?

7: Do you want the dining room formal or informal? Dining for how many people?

8: Do you want the kitchen separate from or integrated into the family room/dining room?

9: Is your cooking style down-home or gourmet? Do you bake?

10: Type of food prep? daily heat & serve; weekend family meals; weekend quantity cooking; socializing; daily full course

11: Are there secondary activities/amenities you would want to be incorporated into the kitchen planning? For example, computer workstation/desk, eating, walk-in pantry, wet bar, wine storage, kids’ projects/homework, laundry, growing plants, hobbies, study, TV/radio, ironing, sewing, telephone, cell phone charger, other

Orientation of Kitchen

12: Have you considered changing the location of doors and windows?

13: Does the kitchen relate to adjacent rooms the way you would like?

14: Should partition walls be removed/altered?

15: Should the ceiling be lowered/raised?

16: Are the views from the kitchen to the interior and exterior where you want them?

17: Do you want to make structural changes? Move/eliminate partitions / make part of a great room effect / bring in greater light / greater feeling of space.

18: Should the sink or appliances be relocated?

19: Island or kitchen table? Additional work surfaces/work triangle?

Kitchen Equipment

20: Desired equipment to incorporate. (Highlight or circle):

21: Disposal, microwave, trash compactor, ice maker, dishwasher.

• Related post: Dishwashers
• Related post: Microwave Ovens

22: Separate cooktop (gas, electric, dual), (exhaust downdraft, updraft), induction.

• Related post: Cooktops & Ranges
• Related post: Kitchen Feng Shui

23: Oven/cooktop combination (range), double ovens, convection oven.

• Related post: Oven Selection

24: Refrigerator (what size?); built-in, standard, freezer (side-by-side, top/bottom, separate units).

• Related post: Refrigerators

25: Wine coolers, wine storage

• Related post: Wine Fridges

26: Double bowl sink or single sink, second sink, depth of the sink.

• Related post: Kitchen Sinks

27: Separate pot filler faucet, instant hot.

• Related post: Kitchen Faucets

28: Architectural type of range hood

• Related post: Range Hoods

29: Professional or regular-grade appliances.

Storage Systems

• Related post: Kitchen Cabinets
• Related post: Kitchen Islands

30: Do you shop in bulk and need extra food or paper product storage? Would you consider utilizing /creating separate storage in the garage?

31: What cooking equipment needs to be accommodated? pots, pans, utensils, etc.

32: What small appliances need to be accommodated? blender, wok, toaster, coffeemaker, tea maker, can opener, electric frypan, griddle, crock-pot, food processor, air-fryer, etc.

33: What items need specialized storage? bottles, breadboard, breadbox, cookbooks, cutlery, dishes, display items, glassware, containers, lids, linen, soft drinks, spices, wine, baking equipment, paper products, cleaning supplies, glassware, leftover containers, fruits/vegetables (non-refrigerated), other.

34: Recycling receptacles? Paper, plastic, glass, cans. Location? Kitchen, garage, utility room.

35: Storage facilities to consider: pantry; countertop; tray storage; towel bar; recycling bins; island; rollout shelves; bottle storage; hostess cart; Lazy Susan; base cabinet; wall cabinet; tall utility cabinet; appliance hutch; bookcase; bulk storage; sink door storage; built-In trash basket; warmer drawer; cutlery dividers; divided drawers; extra breadboard; vegetable storage; dough kneading; display Items; linen storage. We address this more specifically below under cabinetry.

Utility or Laundry Room

This is not usually part of the kitchen but it is part of the domestic operation, so it should be covered here.

36: Does the utility room need extra or different storage? Should it accommodate overflow storage from the kitchen? Does it need a utility sink to complement the washer/dryer, fold-down ironing board, hampers, and hanging /drying racks?

Mechanical & Electrical

37: Do you need professional help addressing the kitchen’s mechanical and electrical systems:

38: Does your current kitchen have enough electrical outlets?

39: Is the electric power supply adequate?

40: Does gas need to be brought in?

41: Is there enough light (natural light / electrical light)?

42: Is the lighting where you want it?

• Related post: Interior Lighting

43: Do you want to add recessed lighting in the ceiling?

44: Are your light switches located where you need them?

45: Do you want dimmer switches?

46: Is ventilation/cooking exhaust adequate?

47: Would you want to add instant hot water to the kitchen sink?

Style, Appearance, Finish, Ambiance

48: What type of style, look or feel would you like the new kitchen space to have? Formal, traditional, family retreat, functional, open, contemporary, country, other.

49: If you are replacing your cabinets, what type of facing material do you prefer? wood (type); painted; stained; paint or stain wash; laminate; thermofoil?

50: What cabinet door styles do you prefer? Plain front; Raised panels; Arched panels; Recessed panels; Glass fronts; self-closing doors /drawers?

51: Preferred countertop material: Corian, granite, quartz, tile, slate, stone, stainless steel, laminate, butcher block, concrete, other?

• Related post: Countertop Materials

52: Preferred backsplash: Same as the countertop or contrasting? Tile, Corian, stainless steel, etc?

53: Preferred flooring: tile, stone, wood (hardwood, cork, bamboo), or vinyl?

• Related post: Flooring Material

54: Preferred Wall Color

55: Preferred Ceiling Color

56: Colors to avoid

• Related post: Color in Design
• Related post: Room Color and Mood

57: Preferred sink material: stainless, porcelain, or other

58: Preferred faucet finish: chrome, brushed nickel, bronze, or other

59: Preferred lighting: Pendant lights, recessed, under cabinet, or in cabinet lighting? 

Research

60: Have you made a sketch of your kitchen or collected magazine clippings or other items illustrating your kitchen vision? We suggest searching on Houzz and Pinterest.

• Related post: Remodel Inspiration and Materials

Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinetry is the dominant item in the kitchen and needs to be addressed separately.

This part of the checklist focuses narrowly on the cabinetry element of a kitchen remodeling project. It will help in the selection, layout, and design of the cabinetry best suited to your purpose.

• Related post: Kitchen Cabinets

Pro Tip: Select your desired appliances, especially range hoods before settling on cabinetry.

Functional Considerations in the Design of Cabinets for the Kitchen

61: Utilization of upper & lower cabinets

62: Pullout pantry system in tall, deep, narrow cabinets

63: Pull out options like Rev-a-Shelf

64: Pullout shelves for spices and pots under the sink

65: Pullout shelves in base cabinets

66: Pull-out chopping block/cutting board

67: Roll out trays

68: Open shelving for (e.g. cookbooks)

69: Where will your paper towel holder be?

70: What will be used for hand soap, dish soap, salt/oil/sugar, etc

71: Where will wet dish towels go, dishes that will air dry?

72: Utilization of space above the fridge

73: Deep drawers for dishes

74: Drawer dividers for Knives, Flatware, Utensils Spices

75: Built-in trash/recycle bins

76: Separate Spice storage

77: Vertical cookie sheet platter storage

78: Storage for lids that accompany pots and pans

79: Lazy Susan in the corners and/or pullout shelving

80: Pull-up shelf for an electric mixer

81: Towel bar

82: Sink front tilt-out trays

83: Tray dividers

84: Spice racks or drawers

85: Wine rack or wine storage

86: Cutting board, serving trays, and cookie sheet storage

87: Do you need wheelchair access to your sinks?

88: Desk

89: Under cabinet lighting

90: Over cabinet lighting

91: Interior cabinet lighting

Considerations Related to Cabinetry

These will have an effect on the functional and aesthetic cabinetry considerations above and are a continuation of our checklist:

92: Location of plumbing: Do any of the plumbing (supply lines and waste) need to be moved to accommodate the cabinetry? Or does the cabinetry need to conform to existing plumbing? Will there be additional plumbing (e.g. for a pot filler faucet)? Does the gas supply need to be brought in or relocated? Will there be a new disposal?

93: Location of electrical: Does any of the wiring (including outlets and GFI) need to be moved to accommodate the cabinetry? Or does the cabinetry need to conform to existing electrical? 

There will be general lighting. Will there also be task lighting, under cabinet lighting, over cabinet lighting, in cabinet lighting, etc? Computer/phone charging station? Location of switches. Hiding or placement of outlets in cabinets/island/drawer.

94: Possible installation of an island or peninsula: Most built-in islands will require an electrical outlet. Consider pendant lighting over the island. The cooktop on the island? Sink in the island? Wine cooler in the island? Microwave in the island? Is a furniture type or rolling island appropriate?

95: Possible relocation of window(s): Will this be necessary? Consider a skylight or solar tube.

96: Selection and location of equipment & appliances: sink (double or single bowl, second sink, depth of sink), disposal, range (gas or electric), range exhaust (downdraft or updraft), range hood, microwave, cooktop (gas or electric), oven/double oven, warming drawer, refrigerator (built-in, standard, freezer (side by side, top/bottom, separate units), refrigerator drawers, ice maker, dishwasher, dishwasher drawers, trash compactor, wine cooler. Will any of them have decorative cabinet fronts? Appliance dimensions are critical to cabinet layout and design. TV location?

97: Selection of countertops: Material (laminate, granite, quartz, tile, etc.); color; style; edge treatment (self-edge, wrap edge, edge shape)

• Related post: Countertop Materials

98: Selection of kitchen sink: Under-mount or drop-in? What size? Will there be a separate veggie prep sink or island sink? What color? The choice will depend on the type of countertop selected. Cabinetry needs to be tailored to sink size

99: Selection of backsplash: Wall treatment between lower and upper cabinets. Will this be wallpaper, paint, tile, or the same material as the countertop?

100: Selection of plumbing fixtures: There are aesthetic and functional factors in the selection of faucets for the sink(s). Coordinate with cabinet hardware.

101: Selection of hardware: There are aesthetic and functional factors in the selection of knobs and pulls for the cabinetry. Need to coordinate with plumbing fixtures and appliance fronts. Material (metal, wood, plastic); size (length, diameter); shape; color; finger pull / U Channel cabinet doors (no hardware).

Organization and Project Binder

Just because a kitchen remodel is not as extensive as a whole house remodel, it is actually a very complex exercise and requires detailed planning. 

Again we emphasize the creation of a 3-ring binder system or getting a purpose-made Remodeling Project Binder Kit, like this. Click on the image link and check it out on Amazon: