Design Notes
A kitchen remodel is one of the most exciting investments you can make in your home. It’s also one of the projects that requires the most planning.
From choosing cabinetry and countertops to determining the best layout, appliances, lighting, flooring, and finishes, there are countless decisions involved in creating a kitchen that looks beautiful and functions well for everyday life.
Whether you’re remodeling an outdated kitchen or planning the kitchen for a newly purchased home, starting with a clear plan can make the entire process smoother.
At Greenbrook Design, we believe a successful kitchen remodel begins long before demolition day. Here are some of the most important things to consider when planning your new kitchen.
Start With How You Use Your Kitchen
Before choosing cabinet colors or countertop materials, think about how your household actually uses the kitchen.
Ask yourself:
- How many people regularly cook at the same time?
- Do you entertain frequently?
- Do you need seating at the island?
- Do you need more pantry storage?
- Are small appliances taking over your countertops?
- Do you prefer open shelving or concealed storage?
- Would specialized cabinetry make everyday tasks easier?
A beautiful kitchen should also be functional. Understanding how you use the space helps your kitchen designer create a layout tailored to your lifestyle.
Determine Your Kitchen Remodeling Priorities
Most homeowners have a long wish list when they begin a kitchen remodel. Separating your “must-haves” from your “nice-to-haves” can help guide decisions throughout the project.
Your priorities might include:
- More cabinetry and storage
- A larger kitchen island
- Better lighting
- Updated countertops
- Improved traffic flow
- Additional seating
- A walk-in or cabinet pantry
- Better organization
- New appliances
- A dedicated coffee or beverage station
Creating this list early can also help you determine where to invest the largest share of your remodeling budget.
Think Carefully About Your Kitchen Layout
The layout is one of the most important elements of kitchen design.
A new kitchen doesn’t necessarily have to follow the same footprint as the existing space. Depending on your home, changing the layout may dramatically improve functionality.
Popular kitchen layouts include:
L-Shaped Kitchens
An L-shaped kitchen utilizes two adjoining walls and can work particularly well in open-concept homes.
U-Shaped Kitchens
A U-shaped kitchen provides cabinetry and countertops on three sides, creating excellent storage and workspace.
Galley Kitchens
Galley kitchens use two parallel runs of cabinetry. When designed correctly, they can be extremely efficient.
Kitchens With Islands
Kitchen islands continue to be one of the most requested features in remodeling and new construction.
An island can provide additional storage, seating, food preparation space and even room for appliances.
The best layout isn’t necessarily the trendiest one. It’s the layout that works best for your home and lifestyle.
Make Cabinetry a Priority
Cabinetry is one of the largest visual and functional elements in your kitchen.
Your cabinets determine how much storage you have, how organized your kitchen can be, and much of the overall design style.
When selecting kitchen cabinetry, consider more than the door style and paint color.
Think about storage solutions such as:
- Deep drawers
- Tray dividers
- Pull-out trash cabinets
- Spice storage
- Roll-out shelves
- Utensil organizers
- Pantry cabinets
- Appliance storage
- Corner cabinet solutions
- Vertical storage
Custom cabinetry can be especially beneficial when you’re trying to maximize every inch of available space.
Instead of designing your lifestyle around standard cabinet dimensions, custom cabinetry can be designed around the room and your specific needs.
Choose Countertops for Beauty AND Lifestyle
Countertops are another major component of kitchen remodeling.
While appearance matters, durability and maintenance should also play a role in your decision.
Popular countertop materials include quartz, granite, quartzite, and other natural stone options.
When comparing materials, consider:
- Maintenance requirements
- Stain resistance
- Heat resistance
- Durability
- Cost
- Available colors and patterns
- How the material coordinates with your cabinetry
It’s helpful to view cabinet, countertop, backsplash, and flooring samples together rather than selecting each material independently.
Don’t Forget About Lighting
Lighting can completely transform a kitchen.
A well-designed kitchen typically incorporates multiple layers of lighting.
Ambient lighting provides general illumination throughout the room.
Task lighting provides additional light over workspaces such as countertops, sinks, and cooking areas.
Accent lighting highlights architectural or design features.
Pendant lighting over an island can also become an important decorative element.
Under-cabinet lighting is another feature worth considering during the design stage. It’s much easier to plan electrical needs before cabinetry installation than after the kitchen is complete.
Create a Cohesive Color Palette
One of the most enjoyable parts of kitchen remodeling is selecting the finishes.
Your kitchen may include cabinetry, countertops, backsplash tile, flooring, hardware, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and wall colors.
The key is making sure these materials complement one another.
Instead of selecting every element separately, create an overall palette for the room.
For example, your cabinetry might serve as the foundation while countertops and backsplash provide texture and movement. Hardware and lighting can then provide contrast or warmth.
A kitchen designer can help you see how these selections work together before installation begins.
Plan for Storage You Don’t Have Now
One of the best opportunities in a kitchen remodel is to fix the storage problems you’ve lived with for years.
Think about the items currently cluttering your countertops or the items in difficult-to-reach cabinets.
Where will they live in the new kitchen?
Consider creating designated storage for items such as:
- Stand mixers
- Coffee makers
- Baking sheets
- Cutting boards
- Pots and pans
- Small appliances
- Spices
- Cleaning supplies
- Recycling
- Pet supplies
Thoughtful cabinetry design can make the kitchen significantly easier to use every day.
Think Beyond Today’s Trends
Kitchen design trends can be wonderful sources of inspiration, but your kitchen is a long-term investment.
Before committing to a highly specific trend, ask yourself whether you’ll still love it several years from now.
Timeless materials, quality cabinetry and thoughtful layouts provide a strong foundation.
Trendy elements can then be incorporated through items that are easier to change, such as hardware, lighting, paint colors, stools, and accessories.
We are honored to share that Greenbrook Design has been featured in the January/February 2026 issue of Kitchen & Bath Design News, appearing on page 66. Being recognized in one of the industry’s most respected national publications is an incredible milestone for our team and a testament to the craftsmanship, creativity, and collaboration behind every project we design and build.
Taylor Walker presented with the 30 under 30 award at KBIS – Kitchen and Bath Industry Show.
Our very own hometown talent, nationally recognized photographer Randy McNeilly, has earned multiple prestigious awards for his exceptional artwork—proudly on display in the Greenbrook Design showroom.
