A kitchen remodel touches almost every system in the house: plumbing, electrical, ventilation, flooring and sometimes structure. Decisions made before demolition keep the project moving and help prevent costly changes midway.
Start with how you use the kitchen
Before looking at finishes, think about daily life. Who cooks? How many people are in the kitchen at once? Where do kids do homework, and where does mail pile up? Do you entertain often? Your answers guide the layout, storage and seating.
Settle the layout
Moving a sink, range or wall has a bigger effect on cost than most finish choices. Decide early whether the existing layout works or whether you want to change it. If a wall might come out, find out whether it's load-bearing and what runs through it.
Choose appliances before cabinets
Cabinet sizes depend on the exact appliances. Pick your range, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and hood early, so the cabinet plan fits them. Some appliances need dedicated electrical circuits or gas lines, which affects rough-in work.
Plan ventilation
A range hood works best when it's ducted to the outside. Its location and duct route should be planned with the cabinets and the structure above, not added at the end.
Think about lighting and outlets
Layer your lighting: general ceiling light, task lighting under cabinets and accent lighting where you want it. Plan outlet locations around how you'll actually use the counters and island.
Allow for lead times
Cabinets, countertops, special-order tile and some appliances can take weeks to arrive. Countertops are usually measured after cabinets are installed. Knowing these timelines helps you plan when the kitchen will be out of service.
Set up a temporary kitchen
Most families live at home during a kitchen remodel. A temporary setup with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and a place to wash dishes makes the weeks without a kitchen far easier.
Older homes need extra care
If your home was built before 1978, painted surfaces may contain lead. Renovation work that disturbs them should follow lead-safe work practices.
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