7 Features of a Well-Designed Kitchen

Planning your new kitchen layout is key to ensure the space will work efficiently for you and your family. Since 1992, our team has been helping homeowners from East Portland to Mount Hood design and build their perfect kitchens. Today, we’re excited to share seven design tips to consider when planning your own, unique kitchen remodel.

1. Sufficient Storage.
One of the most important features for a functional kitchen is to consider your storage space. Carefully consider what you need to store away in cabinets and what items you’d like to have in storage. Take an inventory of those items, including their basic dimensions, and make a copy for you and your design team. Our team will help you determine the most beautiful and efficient space-saving kitchen design.

2. Durable and Elegant Counters.
Kitchen work surfaces need to be elegant and durable. There are many different surface types you can settle on; we’ve found the most common choices are quartz and granite. You can check out our guide on the two materials here. No matter what you choose, we’ll be there to help you find the right countertops for you!

3. Appliances Tailored to You.
Kitchen appliances should be planned so they are easy to operate, safe for everyone to use, and don’t compromise on features and style. If you’re planning on staying in your home long-term, you may want to consider appliances that support your needs now, as well as in the future. If this sounds like you, we’ve created a guide to help you select the right appliance for your family. Be sure to have your appliances selected before we meet to design your cabinets! Additionally, make sure to bring your appliance specifications with you to your cabinet appointment.

4. Layered Lighting.
Once your kitchen layout is planned, we suggest thinking about your lighting options. We think layered lighting in a kitchen is the best option. Many of our clients opt for a combination of canned, task, and pendant lighting – which adds depth and practicality to your space. We have a whole post about kitchen lighting if you’d like to read more about it.

5. Quality Fixtures and Hardware.
In past articles, we’ve talked about knowing where to splurge and save in your remodeling projects and we always recommend investing in quality fixtures and hardware. The hardware and fixtures in your kitchen are going to see a lot of use, so it makes sense to invest in quality items that will stand the test of time.

6. Durable Flooring.
The kitchen in the heart of the home and is a heavy traffic area, so your floors need to earn their keep! Some of our favorite options include tile or luxury vinyl planks (LVP). We recommend looking for something that’s easy to clean and waterproof – which is why LVP is our customers top choice when replacing flooring in their home!

7. Eye-Catching Backsplash.
Your kitchen backsplash can transform the look of your kitchen. It’s a great place to highlight if you want to make a statement or get creative in your space. No matter if you want your backsplash to stand out or blend in, be sure you use a durable material that’s easy to clean! We love the backsplash in our Wildcat Kitchen Remodel. Behind the cooktop is one large tile, it makes a statement in the kitchen and leaves the homeowners with less grout lines to scrub come cleaning day!

We hope these tips are helpful as you start planning you’re your dream kitchen. Feel free to download our free Kitchen Remodeling Guide to learn everything you need to know about remodeling your kitchen. We love making the remodeling process smooth for you and can’t wait to chat when you’re ready!