Kitchen Remodeling-Tips

Homeowners remodel their kitchens for a whole slew of reasons. Maybe you are looking to increase the value of your home before putting it on the market. Perhaps your appliance have started making strange noises and it’s time for an update. Or maybe your lifestyle has changed and you prefer a more open, informal atmosphere to spend more time with your family. Whatever your reason for remodeling may be, one crucial element to consider is how you can optimize your kitchen space.

The kitchen is arguably the most used common area amongst all residents of the home so it’s important to make sure if the whole family is around, there’s enough space for everyone. There’s nothing worse than tripping over the dishwasher or poking your side on the corner of a table to get through. Ouch! We have all been there before.

So, where do I begin?

Starting a new home project can be intimidating, especially in an area of the home that is used so much. If you’re a homeowner, you may be asking yourself, “Where do I even begin?” The answer may sound simple but assess your current environment . If you have a separate room for your dining area, are you looking to remove a wall to connect the dining area to the kitchen? If you already have an open concept, start by taking inventory of everything you have e.g. appliances, utensils, plates, and so on.

Island

Nowadays, homeowners and residents are using separate dining rooms as home offices instead of eating dinner or hosting large gatherings during holidays. If you do not currently have an open concept, removing the wall between your kitchen and dining room will drastically increase the size of your kitchen space and allow for better traffic flow. This is great to consider if you have a smaller home and want to build an island. An island can be used to replace a formal dining table and proves to be a simple, yet effective, space saving solution. Islands are fantastic for busy families who want to enjoy a quick bite with each other or to communicate more efficiently. They’re also a good option to store your microwave and garbage can if there is a base cabinet. This way your microwave won’t be taking up precious space on your countertop and the trash won’t be stinking up the place!

Cabinets

It is important to take stock of all the items that you intend to use in your kitchen. What do you really need? Once you’ve determined you only need one or two peelers (instead of five) you can eliminate the excess. This way, when you’re redesigning your kitchen every item will have its own “home” for maximum organization and accessibility. In addition to islands, you can capitalize on storage space by installing taller cabinets over your stove top depending on your ceiling height. Historically, cabinets used to be 30” but as the needs of the modern household are changing, cabinets can range anywhere from 36” to 42”. Not only will you have more space to store your belongings but it will also make your kitchen look more high-end.

If you are thinking about renovating your kitchen, it’s important to consider you and your family’s needs upfront. Make sure you assess what you will be keeping versus throwing away to design the most useful space for your needs. The most sought after homes nowadays are those with an open concept because of the illusion of higher square footage, convenience of communicating with guests and loved ones, and optimizing storage space for all of your belongings.

Do you have a question about home renovations or redesign? Just ask Susan!

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YOUR PROJECT A-TEAM: Selecting the Right Home Improvement Partners

By proadAccountId-422147 • June 23, 2026

Embarking on a home improvement project is an investment of time, energy, and finances. The process is creative and exciting but also intimidating. The requirements to meet and decisions to be made can be overwhelming! Success depends largely on the professionals you choose to advise you, manage the project and execute the plan. Whether you’re restyling a room or two, renovating a kitchen, remodeling a bathroom, undertaking a major renovation or building a custom home, homeowners struggle with the same questions: How do I know who to trust? What is a fair price to pay? How can I be sure the work will be high quality? Will we communicate well? Will I feel comfortable having these people in my home for weeks or months? After years of working with homeowners and project teams, I’ve learned that selecting the right architect, contractor, and (yes) interior designer is just as important as selecting the right finishes or creating the perfect floor plan. The best partnerships are built on trust, transparency, expertise, and shared expectations. Here are practical steps you can take to find and vet the project partners who are right for you. Personal recommendations from people you know remain one of the most valuable resources available. Ask friends, family, neighbors, and local professionals about their experiences. Nothing beats honest word of mouth and testimonials. Two-ways conversations cultivate a deeper appreciation of that project’s idiosyncrasies and challenges and how the partner managed them. Online reviews can also be very helpful, but don’t focus solely on star ratings. Look for consistent themes in the feedback. Did the company communicate well? Did they finish on time? Were unexpected issues handled professionally? Interview multiple candidates. Even if the first company you meet seems impressive, interview at least three qualified professionals or organizations. Every team has a different approach, personality, and process. Pay attention not only to their answers but also to how they listen and address your unique concerns. The best partners first ask thoughtful questions about your goals, budget, lifestyle, and priorities before proposing solutions. Understand pricing beyond the bottom line. I can’t tell you how many clients share their buyer’s remorse after choosing solely based on the lowest bid. A proposal that may seem less expensive can end up costing more if it excludes important services, skimps on quality materials, or excludes project management, permits, and contingency planning. Conversely, the highest price doesn’t always guarantee the best outcome. When reviewing proposals, ensure you’re comparing apples to apples. Prepare a side-by-side line-item comparison. What is included in the proposal? What assumptions were made? How are changes handled? What factors could affect final costs? A fair price is one that delivers value, quality, and a predictable process—not simply the lowest number. Additionally, a trustworthy partner will be as transparent as possible, answering all your questions with professionalism. If your guts tells you something is “off”, listen to your instincts. (More on this below.) Verify credentials and experience. Verify licenses, insurance, certifications, and professional affiliations. Ask how long they have been in business, and request examples of projects similar in scope to yours. A developer who excels at building new homes may not be the best fit for a historic renovation. Likewise, an interior designer, though experienced and renowned, may not be ideal for your remodeling project if their deeply ingrained style doesn’t align with your vision. Ask their references: Was the project completed on budget? How were problems handled? Was communication timely and clear? Would you hire them again? What would you do differently? These conversations often reveal the realities of working together day-to-day. Technical expertise is critical, but chemistry matters too. Your project team will be in your home (often when you’re out), discussing finances, solving problems, and making hundreds of decisions with you over the course of the project. If communication feels uncomfortable during the interview stage, it likely won’t improve once construction begins. Choose professionals you “vibe” with and who make you feel heard, respected, and confident. In sum: Top 10 Criteria for Selecting Home Improvement Partners Experience with Similar Projects - Look for professionals who have successfully completed projects comparable in size, scope, style, and complexity. Communication Skills – Clear, consistent communication prevents misunderstandings and keeps projects moving forward. Reputation and References – Strong client testimonials and referrals often predict future performance. Transparency - Reliable professionals openly discuss pricing, timelines, risks, and expectations. Professional Credentials – Verify licenses, insurance, certifications, and industry memberships. Project Management Process – Ask how schedules, budgets, subcontractors, and change orders are managed. Design and Technical Expertise – Review portfolios and examples of completed work to evaluate creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. Financial Stability – Established firms with strong business practices are better positioned to deliver consistent results. Compatibility and Trust – You’ll spend significant time working together. Mutual respect and trust are essential. Commitment to Quality – Ask how quality control is maintained throughout design, engineering, procurement, and construction. The best home improvement projects are rarely the result of luck. When you work to find a team that combines expertise, transparency, communication, and integrity, you’ll gain more than a contractor, architect, or interior designer—you’ll gain advisors who can help transform your vision into spaces that work. Build your trusted team and projects that come after will be a piece of cake! Your home deserves nothing less.