Studies show that cooking relieves stress, as you have to engage all of your senses to prepare a meal—whether it be macaroni and cheese or an extravagant pie. Even better, you get to share the fruits of your labor with your loved ones.
That’s why many believe that cooking is an act of love.
We get it—having too many cooks (or clutter) in the kitchen isn’t ideal. Neither is not having an outlet that your mixer can reach, not being able to keep an eye on your kids while cooking, or simply just not loving the space you spend so much time in. After all, Americans spend about 400 hours in the kitchen every year.
So, how do you upgrade your kitchen to reflect your personal style, accommodate your family’s needs, and increase your home’s overall comfort and value? Shack Built is here to help, so we’ve put together this comprehensive checklist to guide you through your kitchen remodel in Leawood.
Nail Down the Why
✅ Understand your motivations for remodeling; and remember, it’s more than just a makeover.
Is your primary goal to make your kitchen more aesthetically pleasing, with plenty of open space to host guests? Are you wanting more counter space so that all of your kids have room to “help” bake desserts? Do you want to boost your home’s value before renting out a spare room or putting it on the market?
It’s important to be honest with yourself here, as these decisions will drive the rest of your choices, from your budget and timeline to the look and feel of your new kitchen.
Nail Down the What
✅ Don’t feel limited by your kitchen’s current layout. Now’s the time to get creative, but keep the “why” in mind.
As you start thinking about what it takes to bring your vision to life, try taking a step back and seeing the bigger picture. As specialists in kitchen remodeling in Overland Park, we recognize the importance of nailing the first design step—the layout—because it lays the foundation for the aesthetic and functional pieces.
Balancing Counter, Storage, and Entertainment Space
One of the biggest challenges growing families face is having ample space, and we’re not just talking about space to relax and entertain.
How often—and how much—do you cook? How much room do you need to prepare a meal? How much food do you store at home? How many appliances do you have or need? How many people use your kitchen at once?
All of these factors will help you determine how much counter and storage space you need to incorporate into your plans for a kitchen remodel in Leawood. Beyond walk-in pantries and gentle-closing cabinets, remember that you can also opt for floating shelves, rolling carts, and even hidden storage for things like your toaster.
Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to counter space. Remember to think about the shape and location of your counters—not just the size and material. You also need to leave space for your family to walk and lounge, so remember to keep balance at the forefront of your mind when planning your kitchen remodel in Leawood.
Many homeowners opt for a “magic triangle” layout, keeping their sink, stove, and fridge in a triangular shape for convenience. You may want to consider an L-shaped counter if you’re working with limited space, or an island with built-in storage and seating for a more social set-up.
Upgrade Your Plumbing
When mapping out the layout for your new kitchen, remember to consider the layout and location of your current plumbing. You can always move things around if it’s crucial to your vision or functionality, but remember that designing around the existing set-up is typically more cost-effective.
That being said, now’s a great time to upgrade your plumbing, replacing old pipes and rerouting them to prevent leaks, sewage backup, and other not-so-fun expenses. Just let us know if you’ve experienced any of these problems so we can make sure to address them.
Optimize Your Insulation
Don’t underestimate the value of energy-efficient improvements for your kitchen remodel in Leawood, as a few small changes can have big positive impacts.
Proper insulation is make or break when it comes to making your new space comfortable in any weather (and your energy bills lower) and reducing noise from outside and other areas of your home. Clients with improperly insulated kitchens have told us that the inside of their old cabinets—along exterior walls—get so hot that it melts chocolate. On the flip side, they get cold in the winter. That’s why you should also consider where things like your furnace and water heater are currently set up—designing around them or relocating and upgrading them as needed.
Research Your Materials
Not all materials were made equally. When choosing materials—from your countertops to your floors and everything in between—it’s important to consider their durability (not just their appearance). For example, when choosing a countertop, it’s important to understand how much heat the material can handle. Not all materials allow you to set a hot pan directly on them without causing serious damage.
High-quality materials may cost more upfront, but they’ll save you money and headaches in the long run by minimizing maintenance and increasing your home’s value. In your kitchen especially, choosing materials that can handle moisture is key.
Upgrade Your Appliances
Your oven, fridge, and other necessary appliances don’t have to be basic—they can elevate your kitchen’s aesthetic and functionality. Whether you’re looking to match your kitchen’s modern style with a sleek glass fridge or a rustic pizza oven, upgrading your appliances can make cooking more enjoyable and lower your energy costs.
Shine a Light on Your Work
Of course, you need to be able to see what you’re cooking, but there’s more to lighting than that. The style and placement of your lights will set the mood, creating a different feeling in the same space and highlighting different elements of your finished kitchen remodel in Leawood.
Maybe you want to shine a light on your new artwork—or your grandchild’s first family portrait—or create a cozy spot at the bar for after hours. Remember, you can incorporate natural lighting into your kitchen too—opening up the space in a new way (plus, giving you a view of your kids playing in the yard while you cook).
Nail Down the Who
✅ Of course, you should work with experienced professionals, but trusting who you work with is just as important.
Remember, these people will be in your home and around your family, so don’t overlook the value of honesty and transparency. Get to know your contractors before saying “I do” and signing a contract. Here, you can set boundaries for their team and your family to ensure a smooth, comfortable renovation experience for everyone.
At Shack Built, our team of certified contractors in Overland Park is what sets us apart.
→ How to Find the Best Contractors for Kitchen Renovations in Overland Park
Why You Should Work With a “Design-Build” Team
Starting a kitchen remodel in Leawood should be exciting, not stressful! Who you invite into your home and trust to bring your vision to life makes all the difference.
As a “design-build” team, Shack Built’s contractors and designers work together under the same roof. This takes the pressure off of you to communicate between a separate design and contracting team, keeping everyone on the same page and maximizing collaboration from start to finish.
Nail Down the How
✅ If you’ve gotten this far, it’s time to get into the dirty details—budgeting, timelines, and blueprints.
There is no “magic number” when it comes to budgeting, and you can’t get an accurate quote without sitting down with your contractors face-to-face. Your situation, from your timeline and budget to your vision and material choices, is unique, so don’t expect your kitchen remodel in Leawood to exactly match your mom’s or neighbor’s project.
Surprisingly, cabinets tend to be the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel—accounting for up to 29% of the final cost! Shack Built is dedicated to keeping your remodel experience stress-free, so we’ll determine the exact cost and timeline of your project during your consultation.
While most projects take between 8 and 16 weeks, it may take more if we’re adding square footage to your home.
Should your family move out during your kitchen remodel?
Most families don’t decide to move out during the construction phase of their kitchen renovations in Leawood. If you set clear boundaries and expectations between your family and contractors, staying home shouldn’t be an issue. That being said, it’s completely up to you.
KC’s Best Contractors Are In Your Corner
At Shack Built, we do things differently. We do things better.
We didn’t become Kansas City’s go-to contractors overnight—it took years of hard work. We’ve perfected our process, ensuring that you get the results and experience you deserve. That comes down to honesty and collaboration, the pillars of our building approach.
Whether you’re coming to us for a kitchen remodel in Leawood or other kinds of home interior renovations in Overland Park, you can expect the best. We take pride in our work, which is why we offer a year-long warranty and will make any adjustments for free to ensure your satisfaction.
Schedule a Consultation
No matter your vision, bringing it to life all starts with a consultation. Here, we’ll discuss the details of your kitchen remodel in Leawood and get to know you and your family’s needs and goals. From here, we can work together to make it a reality.
One that beautifully functions long-term.
As part of our commitment to transparency, detailed estimates are only provided after the design and pre-construction phase. Contact us today to start your project on your terms.
📲 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
Up Next: Making the Most of Basement Renovations in Overland Park
