What You Need to Know Before You Start a Kitchen Remodel 

Before you make any choices, get inspired and do your research. Start out by taking our style quiz to pinpoint your aesthetic then do some additional research. Pinterest, design books and magazines are great places to start to figure out what you like and what you don’t. Beyond aesthetics, there are logistics to think about too. What’s your budget? If you have no idea what the price range might be, our kitchen estimator asks all the right questions to give you a rough idea of cost.

Another list to make? One that details all your gripes with your current kitchen set up. The best way to problem solve is to start by addressing all of the challenges your current kitchen presents. Cabinet placement, lack of organization or awkward shelf heights are just a few examples to think through. A kitchen remodel offers you the chance to realize your dream design from a creative and practical angle—so it pays to invest in quality materials, premium finishes and a layout that you truly love.

Another important tool is measurements. Knowing what to measure and the best way to get precise measurements is an important part of the planning process. It gives a more accurate price estimate and design plan. We offer two ways to work with a designer, so choose from an in-store or online experience—either way, our design services are completely free. Beyond planning the kitchen layout, our experts can also suggest colors, styles, finishes and any other design element you might have questions about.

If you’re worried about measuring yourself, Lowe’s offers cabinet measurement services as part of our installation quoting process.

Always start by considering your storage needs. What’s working to keep pots, pans, small appliances and kitchen tools organized now? What isn’t? From built-in drawer organizers and Lazy Susans to pull-out storage for pots and pans to an in-drawer charging station, your needs can help dictate your cabinet design since most of our cabinets are made-to-order. We’ll work with you to ensure that your storage needs are met and perfectly fit the dimensions of your kitchen.

Lowe’s offers full overlay and partial overlay cabinets. Full overlay means that the door sits over the entire cabinet frame while partial overlay shows off the cabinet frame, putting room between the doors.

In terms of style, a modern Shaker-style is still incredibly popular. The cabinet offers enough classic appeal and versatility, while still feeling elevated and interesting. Choose from a variety of colors and styles; white will always be a kitchen staple but there’s a real movement back toward more stripped-down, organic wood tones and warmer neutrals.

If you’re looking for more colorful kitchen cabinets, make a statement with black or navy. They add drama while still remaining versatile. Another paint color that’s trending upwards is sage green. People love its connection to nature and how versatile it is with a variety of colors and finishes.

Don’t forget about cabinet hardware, it’s a finishing touch for your kitchen. The beauty of the kitchen is that you have more freedom to mix and match metals and finishes than you do in a small room like a bathroom. A pairing that’s trending up is matte black hardware and gold. With so many options to choose from, keep the finish temperature in mind. Cool metals work well with other cool metals, while warm metals pair nicely with other warm metals. Black hardware can mix and match with either.

Meet one of the hardest working surfaces in the kitchen — your kitchen countertops. Beyond looking good, your kitchen counters need to be functional and durable. Investing more in a durable surface is worth it when you spend a lot of time cooking and entertaining. Here are some of the surfaces that are trending today. Choose your favorite and use our custom countertop design tool to get an idea of the cost for your own remodel.