Personalized Cooking Spaces: Tips for a Tailored Kitchen Remodel

sage green kitchen cabinets with parquet flooring and a persian rug — Featured Partner Post

If your kitchen has shabby cabinets, dingy flooring, or inadequate storage space, then a makeover is probably on your wishlist. While renovation can be a significant expense, it’s also an investment that will last longer and increase your home’s resale value.

The kitchen, often termed the ‘heart of the home,’ has evolved over the years, not just as a place for cooking, but as a central hub for family gatherings, informal meals, heartfelt conversations, and more. As such, personalizing this space to reflect the tastes, needs, and lifestyles of its occupants becomes essential.

With the professional help of Excel Builders in Delaware, these real-life kitchen remodeling tips below will help you get started.

Personalized Cooking Spaces

a dark blue island with quartz worktops and statement lighting in the kitchen

A kitchen designed with personal touches and preferences resonates more with the inhabitants. It becomes a space where memories are created, recipes are passed down, and traditions are celebrated. When we connect emotionally with a space, it elevates our everyday experiences within it.

Everyone uses their kitchen differently. Some might need a spacious counter for baking, while others might require specialized storage for gourmet ingredients or tools. Personalizing your kitchen ensures that it’s tailored to your cooking habits, making the entire process more efficient and enjoyable.

Finally, personalized cooking spaces allow you to create a kitchen that aligns with your design preferences, whether it’s modern minimalism, rustic charm, or a blend of styles. Such a space doesn’t just serve its functional purposes but also becomes an extension of your personality, making it a visual treat.

1. Create a Floor Plan

An L-shaped kitchen with navy blue island — An L-shaped kitchen is perfect for an island

An efficient floor plan is the first step to creating a kitchen with a touch of your personality. It is best to take time with your floor plan design as it is not always easy to change at a later date.

Consulting your contractor for possible floor layouts or checking pictures online can spark your creativity to save time. Typically, the layout of your kitchen will be determined by room design.

There are five common types of kitchen designs;

The U-shaped: Also known as a “C-shaped kitchen,” a kitchen layout that features three walls or sections of cabinetry and countertop space that are joined at the ends, forming the letter “U.” This design utilizes three walls or areas, maximizing available space and providing ample storage and working surfaces.
The G-shaped: The G-shaped kitchen is a modified version of the U-shaped kitchen layout, with the addition of a fourth “leg” or section that often functions as a peninsula. This design creates a “G” shape, as the name suggests. The G-shaped kitchen can offer even more countertop space and storage than its U-shaped counterpart, while also providing the option for a more defined dining or serving area.
The L-shaped: The L-shaped kitchen is a popular and versatile kitchen layout that utilizes two adjoining walls to form the shape of an “L.” This design maximizes the corner space and is ideal for both small and larger kitchens, offering an open and unobstructed space.
Galley kitchen: The galley kitchen, often referred to as a “corridor” or “parallel” kitchen, is characterized by its narrow, straight design with two opposing walls or lines of cabinets and countertops facing each other. This layout mimics the compact, efficient kitchens found on ships or aircraft, hence the name “galley.”
Single-wall kitchen: A single-wall kitchen, as the name suggests, is a kitchen layout where all the cabinets, appliances, and workspaces are lined up along one single wall. This design is often found in studio apartments, lofts, and other small spaces where conserving floor space is crucial. The single-wall layout represents simplicity and functionality in its most basic form.

a sage green kitchen with white metro tiles

These reliable layouts are still applicable to today’s lifestyles. The U and G-shaped kitchen layouts are ideal for bigger kitchens and allow for several users at the same time.

The single-wall or straight kitchen is perfect for smaller spaces and can be effective without compromising functionality.

If your kitchen has more length compared to width, the galley kitchen is a perfect layout for you. It consists of two cabinets facing each other forming a galley between them. They’re economical in space but highly inefficient.

You should also consider whether your kitchen has enough room for an island. The U-shaped or L-shaped kitchens are perfect for this as they tend to be larger spaces with an island being the focal point.

2. Keep a Consistent Style

a pale blue kitchen with wooden worktops and a butler sink — If cool colors are used throughout your house, use them in your kitchen

Your kitchen is the heart of your home. Maintaining a consistent style throughout your home, including the kitchen, creates a harmonious flow and a sense of unity.

Establish a Color Palette:

Choose a primary color palette and stick to it throughout the home. For example, if you’re going for neutral tones like beige, gray, and white, ensure these colors are prevalent in each space.
It’s okay to add accent colors, but they should complement the primary palette. In rooms where you want a pop of color, use it sparingly, such as in throw pillows, art, or kitchen backsplash tiles.

Maintain Flooring Consistency:

Using the same flooring throughout can seamlessly connect spaces. If different flooring is essential, like tiles in the kitchen and hardwood in the living room, try to ensure they’re in a similar color family or tone.

Repeating Elements:

Repeated use of certain materials or finishes can tie spaces together. For example, if you have brass fixtures in your kitchen, consider using brass handles or accents in other rooms.

Consistent Architectural Features:

Features like molding, skirting boards, and door styles should remain consistent to ensure a flowing transition from room to room.

Furniture Style:

Choose a general style for furniture, whether it’s mid-century, contemporary, rustic, or any other style. This doesn’t mean every piece must match perfectly, but there should be a clear, consistent theme.

3. Understand Your Budget

a galley style kitchen with large arched windows

When it comes to personalizing your kitchen, the sky may be the limit in your mind. But once the remodeling process begins, your wallet becomes a factor to worry about. Working with Excel Builders can be helpful in estimating a fair budget. Below are some tried-and-true budgeting tips you can implement:

Calculate work you can do yourself
Research average costs
Break down the costs such as cabinetry and hardware, appliances, flooring, and countertops
Allocate your budget to every remodeling aspect
Get multiple quotes
Set aside some amount for surprise expenses (contingency fund)
Avoid unnecessary extra expenses
Review return on investment, especially if you are looking to sell your home

4. Consider Bold Kitchen Cabinets

a bold yellow kitchen — If you have a small galley kitchen, why not go bold and paint the cabinets yellow!

Cabinets, whether lower or upper, make a statement in your kitchen and add an aesthetic appeal. Simple wood cabinets or white cabinets can make your small kitchen appear bigger, but make sure you personalize your cabinets to fit your personal style.

Bold kitchen cabinets can make a dramatic statement and transform the look of your kitchen. Whether you’re drawn to vivid colors, dark hues, or unique materials, bold cabinets can be a central design feature. Here’s how to consider them for your kitchen remodel;

Evaluate Your Space

Smaller kitchens can feel even more cramped with dark or very bold colors. However, they can also benefit from a striking pop of color on the upper or lower cabinets alone.
Larger kitchens can better handle bold colors on all cabinetry but be mindful of the overall feel and balance.

Choose the Right Shade

For a timeless look, consider deep blues, forest greens, or even charcoal. These can be bold yet sophisticated. For a modern twist, you might choose brighter shades like teal, orange, or even vibrant yellow.

Contrast or Complement

If you’re going for bold lower cabinets, you might choose a neutral or lighter color for the upper cabinets to balance things out. Bold colors can be paired with neutral countertops and backsplashes, or you could choose to complement them with equally bold choices for an avant-garde look.

Material and Finish

The type of finish on your cabinet can affect its boldness. Glossy finishes reflect light and can amplify color, while matte finishes offer a subdued, sophisticated look.

Consider different materials like bold-patterned veneers or even metal cabinets for a different kind of bold statement.

Test Before Committing

Purchase a sample door in the bold color or finish you’re considering. Seeing it in your space, with your lighting, can help you determine if it’s the right choice.

Alternatively, use removable wallpaper or vinyl sheets to get a feel for the color on a larger section of your current cabinets.

Consider the Long-Term

Bold choices are often trendy, so think about the longevity of your decision. Will you still love these cabinets in 5-10 years?

Accessories and Hardware

Hardware can either accentuate or downplay bold cabinets. Sleek, minimalist hardware might allow the color to take center stage, while ornate, metallic hardware could offer a nice contrast.

5. Add a Backsplash

a wooden kitchen with a nature inspired backsplash

The backsplash is an excellent opportunity to introduce character, color, texture, and visual interest to a kitchen. If you’re looking to make a statement with your backsplash, consider these eye-catching options:

Bold Color Tiles: Opt for tiles in a bright or unexpected color, contrasting with your countertop and cabinetry.
Patterned Tiles: From intricate Moroccan designs to modern geometric patterns, there’s a world of unique designs available.
Metallic Tiles: Tiles in copper, stainless steel, or brushed gold can bring a shimmering, luxe quality to the kitchen.
Mirror or Glass Tiles: These can dramatically reflect light and make the space feel more expansive. Antique mirror tiles can give a vintage, distressed look, while clear glass tiles in bold hues offer a modern appeal.
Large Format Tiles: Instead of traditional, smaller tiles, use larger tiles for a contemporary feel.
Natural Stone Slabs: Rather than individual tiles, use a single slab of marble, granite, or quartzite.
Raw Edge Tiles: Tiles with raw or uneven edges can give a rustic, artisanal feel to the space.
Mosaic Tiles: Small tiles combined to create an intricate design can be a piece of art in itself.

When selecting a statement backsplash, ensure it aligns with the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. While it’s essential for the backsplash to stand out, it should also harmonize with other elements in the space.

Lastly, consider the maintenance required for your chosen material, especially in areas prone to splashes and stains.

Kitchen remodeling is a good chance to create a personalized space for you and your family. It’s where family and loved ones converge for hearty laughter and sharing stories while enjoying a meal.

You can add a sizable table and create a breakfast nook to start the day off with your family. If you want to learn more about how you can turn your kitchen personalization dreams into a reality, check out experienced contractors on excelbuilders.com in Delaware.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a very small commission if you click through and make a purchase. These links help to pay the editorial costs of writing a blog. For more information, please read my full affiliate disclosure here.

I also use Artificial Intelligence Image generators to create some of my images. These are to show you examples of my ideas and inspiration when I cannot produce the real images myself.

Personalized Cooking Spaces: Tips for a Tailored Kitchen Remodel