Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Started My Kitchen Renovation

Start with Your WHY (Before You Start Swinging a Sledgehammer)

Okay, real talk—before you buy that sexy matte black faucet or fall in love with a tile that costs more than your car payment, ask yourself: Why are we doing this?

No, seriously. WHY are you remodeling your kitchen? Is it because you need more storage? Better flow? A place to sit and sip wine while pretending you’re on a cooking show? All valid.

Think of your “why” as your North Star. Without it, you’ll be knee-deep in Pinterest boards and backsplash samples wondering how you ended up with a $9,000 range when you mostly microwave leftovers.

Sit down (with yourself, your partner, and your contractor) and answer the big questions:

• What’s not working in the current space?

• What do you need vs. what do you just want because it’s shiny?

• Are you hosting Thanksgiving or just making toast?

Once you know your WHY, it’s a lot easier to say “no” to wild splurges and “yes” to choices that actually serve your life—not just your Instagram feed.

Because a kitchen can look like a dream, but if you still can’t open the fridge without hitting the dishwasher, what was it all for?

2. What’s the First Thing to Consider When Starting a Kitchen Remodel?

Short answer? Everything. Long answer? Still everything—but in the right order.

Look, you can’t just walk into a tile store, fall in love with a Moroccan zellige, and expect your entire kitchen to magically coordinate around it. (Although, honestly… it is gorgeous.)

The first thing I do? Make a monster list. We’re talking:

• Flooring

• Cabinets

• Countertops

• Backsplash

• Cabinet hardware

• Fixtures (hello, faucet drama)

• Sinks

• Appliances

• Lighting

• Paint colors (for walls and ceilings—yes, ceilings matter too)

It sounds like a lot because it is a lot. But you know what’s more stressful? Trying to pick a cabinet finish after you’ve already committed to five other things that don’t match.

Now—if you’re thinking about changing the layout (like moving your stove, knocking down a wall, or finally creating that glorious island moment), START THERE. That decision affects every other thing on the list. It’s like picking the lead actor before casting the rest of the movie.

Plan the structure first. Pick the pretty stuff after. (And bring snacks. You’re gonna need ’em.)

3. What’s the Most Timeless Material You Can Use in a Kitchen?

If kitchens had a little black dress, it would be subway tile. Clean, classic, never goes out of style—even when trends are doing backflips.

Now, want to level up that timeless look? Say hello to marble. She’s elegant, a little high-maintenance (okay, very), but always stunning. And the two together? Chef’s kiss. Literally.

Want the best of both worlds? Try this:

• White marble (or quartz that looks like marble) on the counters.

• Classic 3x6 white subway tile on the backsplash.

It’s the design version of jeans and a white tee—simple, effortless, and always chic.

Or flip it: white quartz counters + a marble tile backsplash = still timeless, just with a subtle twist that says, “Yes, I have taste—and I read shelter mags for fun.”

Bottom line: you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to get a kitchen that looks good today and 20 years from now. Just pair the classics and let them do their thing.

6. What’s a “No-Take-Backs” Move in a Kitchen Remodel?

🚨 Warning: This one’s permanent. Once you move the plumbing… that’s it. You’ve crossed the renovation Rubicon.

If your house is on a raised foundation, okay—you’ve got a little wiggle room (literally). But if you’re like most folks in Southern California sitting on a concrete slab, moving plumbing is like trying to relocate a tree. With a jackhammer. It’s not impossible—but it’s definitely not casual.

Before you even think about moving that sink or shifting the stove across the room, ask yourself:

“Why?”

Does it tie back to your original goals? More space? Better flow? That dreamy island you’ve had pinned since 2019?

💡Here’s the secret: You can often completely change the feel and function of your kitchen without touching the plumbing. We’ve done plenty of before-and-afters where the layout improved dramatically—and all the pipes stayed exactly where they started.

So unless it’s mission-critical, maybe leave the plumbing where it is. Your wallet (and your sanity) will thank you.

4. What’s the Biggest Mistake People Make When Updating Their Kitchen?

Oh boy… where do I start? But if I had to pick just one? It’s the “I want a white kitchen because my last one was dark” syndrome.

Look, I get it. You’ve been living in a cave. You want light, bright, fresh! But here’s the thing: “all-white everything” can start to feel like a hospital break room if you’re not careful. It needs texture, personality, soul.

So yes, go white—but layer in warmth and contrast:

• Butcher block or reclaimed wood shelves? Yes.

• A bold paint color on the island? Love it.

• Literally any countertop that isn’t flat white? PLEASE.

Also, let’s talk about lighting. Specifically—pendants that are way too tiny.

Your kitchen island isn’t a dollhouse. If the light fixture looks like it came from the clearance aisle at a kid’s store, it’s not the vibe. My rule? If it’s not bigger than your head, it’s too small. Dramatic? Maybe. But so is a gorgeous pendant that actually fits the scale of the room.

Bottom line: don’t be afraid of color, texture, or making a statement. You’re designing a kitchen, not sanitizing a lab.

5. What’s the WORST Kitchen Material That Seems Like a Good Idea (But Will Secretly Ruin Your Life)?

Easy. It’s marble.

Yep. I said it. And guess what? I have it in my kitchen.

Look, I’m a carpenter. I build stuff. I also design stuff. I should’ve known better. But marble? She’s pretty. She’s fancy. She whispered sweet nothings to us in the showroom and we caved. Installed honed marble countertops like a couple of suckers in love.

Cut to: me chasing people around the kitchen with coasters like a lunatic.

“Don’t put that wine glass down!”

“That lemon juice is going to scar it forever!!”

Turns out, marble is gorgeous, but also fragile, moody, and high-maintenance—basically the diva of the stone world. She stains, she etches, she sulks.

Eventually we found this magical UV coating that made it behave more like quartz (bless), but I’ll be honest—it was a journey.

If you want the marble look without the marble meltdown, go with quartz or porcelain. They’re low-maintenance, durable, and won’t make you lose sleep over a stray coffee ring.

Unless you enjoy stress-cleaning every time someone touches a surface, marble might not be your ride-or-die. Learn from my mistakes. Save your sanity.

7. Why Should You Care About Resale When Remodeling Your Kitchen?

Because friend, let me tell you—the kitchen will either sell your house… or sabotage it.

You’ve heard “the kitchen is the heart of the home,” right? Well, from a real estate perspective, it’s more like the dealbreaker in disguise. You could have cathedral ceilings, ocean views, and a wine cellar—but if the kitchen screams “1994 builder grade,” buyers will be out faster than you can say “linoleum.”

The truth is, a good kitchen isn’t just nice to have—it’s required if you want to get top dollar. It’s the first room buyers run to, and trust me, they will open those cabinets and silently judge your life choices.

The good news? Updating your kitchen is one of the few reno projects that actually pays you back. People will fork over more cash for a home with an updated, functional, “I could host brunch here” kitchen.

So when you’re picking appliances, tile, countertops, cabinets—think long game. Go timeless, go neutral (but not boring), and maybe don’t get those neon green lower cabinets just because they “spark joy.”

Unless your goal is to stay forever, design with resale in mind. Future You (and your listing agent) will thank you.

8. What’s One Thing Homeowners Should Definitely Leave to the Pros?

Class, take out your notebooks because this is going on the test:

PLUMBING and ELECTRICAL.

Aaaand yes, they’re tied for first place in the “Please Don’t DIY This” Olympics.

I don’t care how many YouTube videos you’ve watched or how confident Uncle Bob is with a wire stripper—this is not extra credit. This is code compliance, safety, and basic survival.

Plumbing? One wrong move and suddenly you’re the proud owner of an indoor swimming pool.

Electrical? Let’s just say sparks should never fly in your kitchen unless you’re lighting birthday candles.

Both require permits, inspections, and licensed professionals who actually know what they’re doing—and won’t accidentally burn down the house while installing a dimmer switch.

So repeat after me, kids:

🔌 Electricity = call a pro

🚿 Plumbing = call a pro

🛠️ Assembling IKEA furniture? Fine, you’re on your own.

Don’t learn this lesson the hard way. Hire the right people, and save the DIY spirit for painting an accent wall or labeling the spice rack.

9. If You Could Only Make One Change in Your Kitchen, What Would It Be?

Oh darling, paint the cabinets. It’s like giving your kitchen a fresh coat of soul.

I mean, the cabinets are the largest canvas in the room—why leave them sad and beige when they could be bold and breathtaking? Whether you go moody navy, calming sage, or daring coral (you rebel), a little color can transform your whole kitchen vibe. Instant drama. Minimal mess. Maximum impact.

Now, if your cabinet doors are giving “1990s laminate sadness,” there’s always refacing—which is like a facelift, but for furniture. The bones stay the same, but the outside gets a total glow-up. New doors, new drawer fronts, and voilà!—a whole new masterpiece, without demolishing the frame.

Sometimes refacing is even cheaper than painting, which, frankly, is wild but we love a surprise plot twist in art and design.

So if you’re itching to make a big change without gutting the place? Grab a brush—or call the cabinet refacing pros—and get ready to turn your kitchen into a gallery-worthy space.

(Just don’t paint them neon yellow unless you’re really committing to the avant-garde vibe.)

10. What’s the Most Common Material Ordering Disaster in a Kitchen Remodel?

Oh honey… where do I not begin?

But if I had to pick one repeat offender, it’s this: appliances not fitting into the cabinets. Yep. It’s the kitchen version of “trying to squeeze into jeans you bought online.”

Here’s the deal—appliances go in last, but they need to be picked out first. Why? Because the entire kitchen layout is basically designed around your fridge, stove, and that fancy dishwasher you swore you wouldn’t splurge on… but did anyway.

Now, in a perfect world, manufacturers’ “specs” (aka the measurements) are 100% accurate. In reality? They’re more like “guidelines”… sometimes rounded, sometimes vague, sometimes just boldly optimistic.

So what happens? The cabinets get built, the appliances show up—and suddenly the oven is too wide, or the fridge sticks out like it’s trying to escape the kitchen.

Moral of the story:

Double check the specs. Triple check the specs. And if you can, get those appliances delivered before the cabinets go in. That way you’re building around real, solid things—not a dream and a PDF from the internet.

Because trust me, nothing kills the kitchen mood faster than realizing your brand-new range doesn’t actually fit in the range space.

11. Anything Else to Add? Oh, Absolutely. Grab a Pen.

Look, I’m a manager—of projects, people, and occasionally my own emotions during remodels—so trust me when I say, the details matter. Here’s a quick list of things I always remind clients (and sometimes shout into the void):

📌 Your local tile shop is your best friend. Go. Touch things. Stare at grout samples until your eyes blur. It’s better than picking something online and realizing it looks like bathroom floor tile from 1987. Ask me how I know.

📌 You don’t have to use knobs. Shocking, I know. Want handles on everything? Go for it. Want a mix of knobs and pulls? Live your truth. There’s no kitchen hardware police—only design freedom and a lot of opinions.

📌 Collect kitchen inspo like it’s your side hustle. Save those Pinterest pics, but don’t just admire them—study them. What specifically do you love? The wood tone? The layout? The dreamy lighting? Write it down, print it out, highlight it if you have to. Then share it with your contractor like a vision board that demands respect.

📌 Lighting. Is. Everything.

• Recessed lights in the ceiling = yes.

• Pendant lights over the island = yes.

• Under-cabinet lighting = YES, times ten.

You spend half your kitchen life there after dark, so let’s not make it feel like a scene from a horror movie.

So yes, plan carefully, communicate clearly, and don’t skimp on the lighting or the snacks. You’re managing a lot. But if you do it right, the kitchen of your dreams is just a punch list away.