Top Kitchen Remodeling Tips from our Miami Designers

Considering a kitchen upgrade? Kitchen remodeling is a big undertaking, so as interior designers, we want to give you tips to make it well worth the time and money. 

Reasons to remodel might vary, such as updating outdated styles, making it functional to your needs, increasing energy efficiency, and harmonizing your kitchen design with the rest of your home. If any of these fit your needs, it’s time for a kitchen refresh!

With numerous decisions to make, collaborating with an interior designer is always recommended. We’ll help you turn your dream kitchen into a functional and fun hub with updates to areas such as:

From small tweaks to a complete overhaul, we’ve done it all for clients around Florida. Now, we’d like to inspire you! Outlining our top kitchen remodeling tips, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Top 8 Kitchen Remodeling Tips from our Miami Designers

1. GOALS AND PRIORITIES OF THE SPACE

The first step is to create your wish list. Think about your typical day in the kitchen, what appliances you use most and which ones you would prefer if you had a choice. Do you have breakfast or light meals in the kitchen? If so, what would be the ideal seating arrangement? Do you entertain in the kitchen? If so, what’s the best setup for hosting?

If your kitchen is open to a formal living or dining area, you may not want your sink exposed. While some compromises may be necessary, defining your “non-negotiables” will be incredibly helpful when determining your scope of work, budget, and design.

With that in mind, list your goals for the kitchen remodeling project, including not only what you want to keep but also what you wish to change. If you consider all aspects from the beginning, you may find simple ways to incorporate your wish list.

As we always say, “Dream big!” We’re with you every step of the way.

2. PLAN AHEAD AND DEFINE YOUR BUDGET

Next, set your budget. You may already have a number in mind, but if not, start by listing the main appliances, upgrades, and labor costs to get a rough estimate. Be sure to leave some wiggle room for unexpected expenses. Establishing your budget early will help prevent overspending and guide your design choices.

Kitchen Remodeling Budget Checklist

Appliances

Consider the specific pieces you need, their ideal sizes, and whether they will have panel fronts (allowing the cabinet finish to be applied for a seamless look). Also, determine whether they will be gas or electric and if additional gas or electrical supply will be required.

TIP: In some cities, especially in South Florida, kitchens requiring a gas connection may need a special service contract. This can often be handled by the homeowner and may save time if arranged early in the process.

Common appliances to consider include items such as:

• Refrigerator
• Freezer
• Beverage drawers and/or wine fridge
• Microwave
• Steam oven
• Warming drawer
• Dishwasher
• Ice maker
• Stove
• Oven
• Sink
• Faucet
• Water filter
• Air fryer
• Specialty appliances such as a pizza oven or dedicated wine storage

TIP: A typical challenge we see is when clients fall in love with certain appliances without considering their delivery times, connection requirements, or how they fit within the design. It’s always good to plan these details in advance to avoid complications. – Mauricio Castrillon – CH Construction

Millwork

If you don’t have a designer, you’ll need to decide whether to go with custom millwork crafted by a local carpenter or cabinetry produced by a kitchen company. Some companies manufacture overseas, while others offer locally made options in a more production-like setting.

Countertops

There are many options for countertops. For that reason, we recommend choosing a durable material. Some popular choices include:

• Quartzite or marble
• Engineered quartz surfaces such as Compac, Cambria, and Caesarstone

3. SET A TIMELINE

Depending on the scale of your project, your kitchen remodel could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Setting a clear timeline will help keep the project on track and allow you to plan accordingly. If you’re living in your home during the remodel, it’s important to be specific about certain dates so you can anticipate any household limitations and plan around them. This is crucial not only for your peace of mind but also for the designers, builders, and other professionals involved.

4. WORK WITH PROFESSIONALS

For a successful kitchen remodel, it’s essential to have a strong team behind you. Start by selecting an interior designer, who can recommend a trusted general contractor and reliable kitchen supply companies. Not only will your designer help you create your plan and budget, but they’ll also provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the entire process to help you avoid costly mistakes and keep things on track. This includes ensuring that all local building codes and permits are followed.

If you don’t have a designer, we recommend starting by finding a few general contractors. Many are willing to visit your home without commitment and offer valuable insights into your space. They may also have a kitchen company they’ve worked with and trust.

Working with a kitchen company offers many advantages. Most of these companies have spent decades perfecting hardware, layouts, and mastering convenience through various techniques.

Choosing a company that specializes in kitchen design is key to creating a space that makes daily routines easier and meets the client’s needs. A good briefing is crucial for the project’s success because it helps the professional understand the client’s habits and practices. By knowing these needs, the designer can create a personalized and ergonomic design that combines style and function, making everyday kitchen life more practical and enjoyable. – Mauricio Duran – Florense Miami

Choosing a custom kitchen company also has its benefits. When working with a local millworker to customize your kitchen, you have the opportunity to choose any color you’d like and add personalized details. Here some examples:

In this kitchen remodeling, we added a unique texture as trim and a reveal across the millwork, then custom-painted it in the color of our choice.

In this custom kitchen, we were able to add details such as the wood trim around the stove and hood.

5. DEFINE KITCHEN LAYOUT AND CLEARANCES

The next step in your kitchen remodel is to define the layout and clearances of the space. Since the kitchen is a highly functional area, large appliances, cabinets, and seating should serve as the foundational elements of the layout. As a starting point, refer to this quick guide on Kitchen Dimensions and Materials.

As we mentioned before, kitchens are increasingly being incorporated into common areas, so you may need to consider privacy solutions when entertaining. In this home, for example, we created a custom privacy wall using millwork built locally by our trusted millworker, Artec.

6. SMART LIGHTING

You need all three types of lighting in the kitchen: task, general, and accent. Achieving the right balance is essential for both effectively using the space and enjoying it.

With your interior designer, you’ll create a layered lighting scheme that includes both highly functional overhead lighting and ambient fixtures. Start with this list of basic lighting tips, and consider smart solutions. Now that many fixtures come with energy-efficient technology, it makes sense to invest in lighting that saves money and minimizes energy usage.

7. PRIORITIZE DURABILITY AND MAINTENANCE

Renovating any space, particularly one as heavily trafficked as a kitchen, goes way beyond aesthetics. When it comes to materials, finishes, and appliance designs, it’s important to know how they perform over time.

You might love the look of one hardware finish, but realize within days that it scratches easily, or shows dirt and stains. To avoid the heartache of this dilemma, prioritize not only durable but also easy-to-clean hard surfaces. This is another example of why it’s so beneficial to work with an interior designer who is familiar with finishes during a kitchen renovation.

Now that you know the basic kitchen remodeling tips we use, it’s time to put them into practice. Our Miami team is ready to both guide you and help turn a boring kitchen into your favorite room in the house. Explore our most recent kitchen design projects here and contact us when you’re ready to get started!

8. EXISTING KITCHEN

When you have an existing kitchen that you love but that’s missing a bit of personalization, decorative lighting or even wallpaper is a great way to showcase your style.

“We’ve worked with clients whose kitchens were in good condition, but the color scheme didn’t match the new style of their home. For example, in the photo below, we added wallpaper to the existing kitchen of this Brickell apartment to better align with the rest of the design. As can be seen, it was a great way to elevate the space!

We’ve worked with clients whose kitchens were in good condition, but the color scheme didn’t match the new style of their home. In the example below, we added wallpaper to the existing kitchen of this Brickell apartment to better align with the rest of the design, and it was a great way to elevate the space!

You may find that the existing kitchen is gorgeous, but it just doesn’t have enough space. Here’s an example where we extended the kitchen by adding a wine fridge and a bar area to the right.

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