Tacoma Kitchen Remodeling is an opportunity to put your stamp on one of the most-used rooms in your home. It can also increase your kitchen’s functionality and safety, especially if you upgrade to energy-efficient appliances.

A well-designed kitchen is one of the main factors that influences homebuyers when making a purchasing decision.

Whether you have an open floor plan or closed off room, the layout of your kitchen is the foundation of your design. It’s important to select a layout that fits your space, maximizes your workflow and works well with your personal style. But how do you go about selecting the best kitchen layout?

One of the most important considerations when choosing a new kitchen layout is how much counter space you’ll need. You want to ensure that you have enough space for all your food prep and cooking activities while also keeping in mind any entertaining needs. A good way to determine how much counter space you need is to use a free kitchen layout planner like RoomSketcher. This tool will allow you to experiment with different designs and see them in 3D before you make a decision.

If your kitchen is on the smaller side, consider a galley layout. These thin corridor kitchens are enclosed by two parallel walls and work well for tight spaces. Smart space planning can make a galley kitchen feel spacious and optimized for functionality.

Another popular option is an L-shaped kitchen. This layout combines two adjacent walls to create an “L” shape and can fit into almost any sized space. Like a galley kitchen, this layout works well for tight areas and can be made even more functional by adding a kitchen island.

For larger rooms, consider a U-shaped kitchen layout. This wraps around three walls to give you plenty of countertop and storage space and optimizes the workspace for multiple users. This layout can be made even more functional by using a peninsula or a floating island to add extra counter space.

Storage

A kitchen’s storage options make the difference between an efficient, 20-minute dinner or a chaotic mess that leaves you throwing in the towel and calling for takeout. From expandable drawer dividers to labeled chip clips, the right storage solutions can eliminate kitchen clutter and streamline your workflow.

When considering your new kitchen storage, consider reclaimed space such as ceiling cabinets, if you have the height for them. They’re a good way to make use of vertical space that’s often neglected and offer more flexible design possibilities than standard shelves.

Drawers are also more functional than basic shelving, especially for lower base cabinets. Wide drawers can create a lot of storage space in an easy-to-access location. And adding dividers to deep drawers keeps dishes, bowls, and utensils organized and makes them easier for kids to access.

Other unique kitchen storage elements include pull-out pan racks, pantry doors, and a built-in trash bin. Be sure to weigh your options and talk to your contractor about what will work best with your kitchen layout, cabinet style, and lifestyle.

Appliances

Whether you’re ready to splurge or hoping to remodel on a budget, it’s important to consider appliances early in the process. This is because kitchens are designed around them, including cabinetry, counters and backsplashes. Additionally, a refrigerator, range and dishwasher are a long-term investment, so it’s worth shopping around to find the best combination of quality, style and price for your home.

In addition to assessing how much space you have, it’s also essential to consider your cooking habits and culinary preferences when choosing new appliances. After all, a kitchen is more than just an area for food preparation—it’s where you cultivate your creativity, connect with others and feed those you love.

The right equipment can enhance your making and cooking, from a cooktop that offers a variety of options to a fridge with an extra-large capacity for those who enjoy entertaining. It’s also worth evaluating the latest trends in kitchen design and appliances to ensure your renovation is both functional and visually appealing.

For example, some homeowners prefer the simplicity of handleless cabinets and drawers that don’t require a traditional knob or pull. This allows for a clean look and makes opening the items inside a breeze. Meanwhile, there’s a growing popularity in using soft-close hinges on cabinet doors and drawers that provide a smoother, quieter and more durable closing experience than traditional hinges.

When choosing appliances, it’s also worth considering their energy efficiency, quality, size and warranty as well as any additional features you may want such as WiFi connectivity, a wine cooler, a stacked washer and dryer or a dishwasher with a built-in garbage disposal. However, it’s important to remember that over-customizing your kitchen may limit its appeal to future buyers.

Countertops

The countertop is the workhorse of a kitchen, so it should be both functional and beautiful. Countertops are available in a wide range of materials, from granite and quartz to laminate and soapstone. The key is finding the one that reflects your personal style and works with the other elements of your kitchen design.

While visual appeal is an important factor in choosing a countertop, you should also consider the material’s durability and maintenance needs. For example, marble countertops are attractive, but they can be damaged by hot pans and spills. On the other hand, quartz is durable and comes in many different colors and patterns.

If you prefer a more natural look, you can choose wood countertops. These come in a variety of species, including cherry, maple, hickory and walnut. They’re more sanitary than stone, since they can be sanitized with mild cleaning solutions. However, they can be susceptible to damage from cuts and scratches.

Tile countertops are an inexpensive alternative to other countertop options. They’re available in a variety of shapes and sizes, from classic squares to subway tiles and trendy hexagons, as well as in various materials, including porcelain, ceramic and natural stone. However, they can be difficult to keep clean due to grout lines that can collect dirt and debris.

A remodel can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. You can upgrade your entire kitchen, or simply change the layout or add features. If you’re not ready for a full-scale remodel, small changes can refresh the room and give it new life. For example, replacing the cabinet hardware or adding a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference in your kitchen’s overall look.

Flooring

Your kitchen is a rallying point for food storage and preparation and family or group dining, plus the room gets lots of foot traffic. Kitchens are also constantly exposed to moisture from sinks, dishwashers, cooking, ice makers/refrigerators and regular spills. This makes finding a floor that is durable and waterproof a key consideration.

Tile is still a popular flooring choice, especially in kitchens. It can be laid in a wide range of patterns, colors and textures, including groutless tile. The availability of tile that resembles hardwood or natural stone has also made it a very popular choice.

Laminate is another very popular kitchen flooring option. It can look like wood or stone and comes in a range of styles and price points. It is easy to maintain and offers good durability.

Vinyl flooring is not considered a quality flooring option but it is an economical and practical choice for many kitchens. It is available in a range of colors and designs, and can be easy to install. It is waterproof and if properly maintained, can stand up to lots of foot traffic.

Hardwood floors are a premium and stylish flooring choice that can add value to your home. It is a warm and comfortable flooring option and stands up well to heavy foot traffic. It is a beautiful addition to any kitchen design and is available in a range of color options.

Salvaged and reclaimed wood floors are also becoming more common. These are not only eco-friendly but they add character and a sense of history to the kitchen. They can also match or complement other wood features in the kitchen such as cabinetry and accessories.