Kitchen Advice

What should you figure out before renovating a kitchen?

Start with what works, what doesn’t and what you need the kitchen to do better. Then put the connected decisions in the right order.

Start with the current room

Notice where the kitchen fights you: traffic, storage, prep space, seating or appliance locations. That’s more useful at the start than picking a finish.

What works well today?
Where does traffic cross the work areas?
Which everyday items lack a practical home?

Start with three big decisions

Layout

Consider movement, work areas, adjacent spaces and what should stay connected.

Cabinetry + storage

Identify what needs to be stored, how often it is used and which storage problems matter most.

Counters + work surfaces

Think about where preparation happens and how clear surface relates to the layout.

The other choices follow the plan

Layout usually deserves attention before finishes. It can affect cabinetry, appliances, plumbing, lighting and work surfaces. A useful plan keeps those relationships visible without requiring every answer at the start.

Write down what you still need to figure out

Use the Kitchen Decision Planner to note current conditions, priorities, connected decisions and open questions.

Open Kitchen Decision Planner Return to Kitchen Planning

Talk through your project with Matt

When the room, priorities and open questions are clearer, they provide a useful starting point for a conversation with Matt.

Talk to Matt About Your Kitchen