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If you’ve ever stepped into your kitchen and felt like something just isn’t working, you’re not alone. For many families, the kitchen is the most used space in the home, and over time, the space can start to feel outdated, inefficient, or just not suited to your lifestyle. That’s where a thoughtful kitchen remodel can make a big difference!

At Lake Country Builders, we have plenty of experience remodeling kitchens for real families—people with busy schedules, growing kids, and a need for spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful. 

Functional Upgrades That Make a Big Impact

Every kitchen remodel is unique, but we’ve found that some upgrades consistently improve how families use their kitchens. Deep drawers, for example, provide far more accessible storage than traditional cabinet space. Instead of digging through cluttered shelves, everything is within easy reach. 

Pull-out trash and recycling centers keep messes hidden yet convenient, while charging drawers or tech stations help reduce counter space clutter and keep everyone’s devices powered up and out of the way.

Quartz countertop materials are another favorite. They’re stylish, durable, and resistant to stains and scratches—ideal for households where the kitchen works hard every day. Lighting throughout the entire space also plays a huge role in a successful remodel. Adding task or under-cabinet lighting can brighten prep areas, highlight design details, and make the whole space feel more welcoming.

In many of our projects, especially those involving young families, we also look at how the kitchen space connects to the mudroom or entryway. Improving that flow—where backpacks, grocery bags, and muddy boots often pile up—can make a bigger impact than you’d think!

Do you want to design a kitchen where you can age in place? Check out this blog!

Reworking Layouts in Older Homes

When remodeling older homes, updating the kitchen layout can be both the most challenging and the most rewarding part of the process. We always start by listening. How does the family use the kitchen? Where are the pinch points? What’s currently working, and what absolutely isn’t?

From there, we look at how the layout can evolve. Sometimes it’s about removing a wall to create a more open connection between the kitchen and dining or living spaces. Other times, it’s reconfiguring appliances or pathways to reduce bottlenecks and improve traffic flow. 

In older homes, we often run into structural limitations like load-bearing walls, outdated plumbing, galley kitchens, or uneven floors. Our team works hand-in-hand with architects, designers, and structural experts to find creative solutions that maintain the home’s original character while making it more functional for today’s living.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every home has a story, and every remodel should respect that while creating a modern kitchen.

Trends We Love—That Actually Work

Kitchen trends come and go, but we’re especially excited about some that combine style with practicality:

• Antique-Inspired Larder Cabinets: With built-in organization for spices, dry goods, and even hidden charging stations.

• Mixed Metal Finishes: Brass, copper, and antique nickel cabinet hardware add personality without sacrificing timelessness.

• Bold, Earthy Color Palettes: Think forest greens, deep blues, and warm neutrals are all having a moment (and are a lot easier to keep clean than the all white look of a few years ago).

• Built-In Herb & Microgreen Gardens: Fresh, functional, and perfect for the home chef!

• Butler Pantries & Sculleries: Extra storage and prep space, tucked just out of sight.

• Smart Storage Walls: Sensor-activated or AI-enabled storage that remembers where things go—especially great for aging in place.

Family-Friendly, Timeless Materials

When choosing finishes for a kitchen renovations, we always look for the sweet spot between durability and a timeless design. Quartz countertops are a clear favorite—they offer the elegance of natural stone with none of the maintenance. For flooring, we often recommend white oak hardwood or luxury vinyl tile (LVT), both of which offer long-lasting beauty and hold up well to spills, pets, and everyday wear and tear.

A Real Life Kitchen Remodel 

One of our favorite recent projects—the Lien kitchen remodel project—illustrates just how impactful the right updates can be. This kitchen was originally dark, cramped, and closed off from the rest of the home. The layout didn’t flow well, and storage was a constant struggle. For a family juggling school drop-offs, work, and nightly dinners, it just wasn’t functional.

We completely reimagined the entire kitchen, opening up the floor plan by removing a wall and bringing in more natural light. Additionallt, we installed deep, wide drawers for storing pots, pans, and small appliances, and added a custom pantry that now keeps snacks and staples organized and accessible. We also added a built-in beverage station to streamline the family’s busy mornings—turning a once-cluttered corner into one of the client’s dream kitchen!

Ready for Your Kitchen Remodel?

Whether you’re starting from scratch or just tired of working around a dysfunctional layout, a kitchen remodeling project can dramatically improve how your home works—and how you feel in it. 

If you’re ready to start planning your own kitchen transformation, we’d love to help you bring your vision to life.