A Guide to Creating Your Ultimate Kitchen | Design Library

At Serda Remodeling, we specialize in custom kitchens, and there’s a lot to consider when creating your dream kitchen’s layout and finishes. Once you’ve settled on your preferred aesthetics like cabinet style, color, flooring, countertop, and accent lighting, it’s time to get into some of the less obvious details. Having an idea of the things you want to include will help you understand all of the costs up-front and keep your project on track. Use this guide to understand what’s available and what you’d like to bring to your space.

Start by thinking about what bothers you about your current kitchen layout. Does it feel closed-in? Is your sink too far from where you chop veggies? Do you hate walking around your peninsula to get from your pantry to your prep space? Are you sick of that eyesore of a garbage can? Do you have an empty corner that you don’t know what to do with? Is your pantry only half as big as you’d like it to be? With this information, your project manager can make recommendations about how you can reposition various fixtures to maximize the flow and function of your kitchen.

Custom broom closet added to maximize space

Removed a non-load-bearing wall and added pantry and island

Rolling Island creates storage and function while keeping an open walkway

Removed peninsula to create an coffee bar and open walkway

Once you’ve got an idea of the new layout, you can move on to the individual components in your custom cabinetry. You’ll get the most out of the renovation if you think about how you use your kitchen and what you’d like to store in various places. Maybe you’ve never had enough space to store all of your serving platters, and you want one of your lower cabinets to have a few extra shallow shelves for extra horizontal storage. Maybe you’ve never had a great spot for your crock pot or stand mixer. Perhaps you want drawers deep enough to store your mixing bowls. Maybe you want new broom closet or a cubby by the door to stop your family from leaving mail, keys, purses, and coats in your prep space. Get your must-haves in mind early so they’re incorporated into your layout and design plan.

Extra shelves for storing serving dishes

Custom built-in cubby for shoes, bags, etc

Many of our clients choose to maximize their space by including extras like a lazy susan in a corner cabinet, vertical storage for baking sheets and cutting boards above the refrigerator, special pull-out spice racks or utensil caddies, and a tilt-out panel by the sink to keep your sponge and scraper out of sight. (Check out the Kessebohmer line for more possibilities.) Islands are also excellent places to put a microwave (easy-access for kids!) and rubbish bins. Looking to have a special built-in item like a wine fridge? We can accommodate that too. We’ll need to know the model number of any built-in items as soon as possible, so we can include them in your cabinet plan and make sure they have the appropriate electrical and/or plumbing connections.

Extra-large storage space for large appliances, cutting boards, baking sheets, and cooling racks

Another thing to consider is the vent over your stove. Most of our clients choose one of three options. The first is a Vent-A-Hood insert with a custom-built cover made to match your cabinets. The second a metal hood in the size and style of your choice. The third is an over-the-range mounted venting microwave.

Custom Range Hood with Vent-a-Hood Insert

Over-the-range mounted venting microwave

Depending on your needs and the size of your kitchen, you might want to consider adding some extra plumbing fixtures. Adding a pot-filler to behind the range will allow you to fill a pot with water while it’s on the burner, rather than having to lug it over from the sink. In addition to a regular faucet, some clients choose to add a beverage faucet with a special filter to improve the quality of their drinking water. If you’ve got a large kitchen, a butler’s pantry, or even a sink that’s far from the prep area, consider adding a prep-sink to allow for easy washing of produce and cooking utensils. Visit DeltaFaucet.com, our preferred faucet dealer, for tons of options and ideas.

Delta Faucets Contemporary Wall-Mounted Pot Filler MODEL#: 1165LF-BL — Delta Faucets Contemporary Wall-Mounted Pot Filler **MODEL#: 1165LF-BL**

We also recommend knowing early on what kind and how many sources of accent lighting you’d like to have in your space because our electrician may need to add wiring right after demolition is complete. Nearly all Serda Remodeling projects include installation of recessed can lights as the primary light source, as well as some pieces for accent- or mood-lighting. Most clients opt for under-cabinet lighting which, in addition to visually warming up the space, can reduce reliance upon overhead lighting. Depending on the layout of the space, many clients also choose to have pendant lighting over the sink and/or island, and a chandelier over the dining table.

Kitchen featuring recessed can lights, under-cabinet lighting, lighted display cabinet, pendants and a chandelier

Lastly, think about what kind of extras you’d like to include to add personality to your space. While these may not be necessary from a design or function stand-point, about half of our clients want to add special accents like open shelving, wine racks, or display cabinets, and we’ll want to ensure they’re included in the plans to keep the project on track.

The Serda team is here to help you through this process, but only you know what will work best for your space and lifestyle. While it can be a lot to think about, it’s important to have these layout decisions made at the beginning of a renovation. It will help your project manager create an efficient plan to execute all of the necessary parts of your project and keep it on-time and on-budget. Most of all, it will help ensure you’ll get the most out of your new space.