Can you believe the holiday season is just a few weeks away? That means you’re hopefully making initial preparations for any gatherings. Of course, now is also a popular time to remodel the kitchen.

At St. Croix Cabinet Solutions, we can help create the kitchen of your dreams and wow guests when they arrive. Here are nine remodel ideas worth considering, as referenced from Better Homes & Gardens:

Design wide walkways

The ideal path in a kitchen should be at least 36 inches wide. More specifically, paths within the cooking zone should be about 42 inches wide for a one-cook kitchen and slightly wider for a two-cook setup. Homeowners should also remember to adjust kitchen islands and peninsulas accordingly.

Narrow walkways can really take away from the beauty and functionality of a remodeled kitchen. If you’re at all concerned about how to go about creating wider walkways, ask a professional.

Account for accessibility

You obviously want your kitchen to look beautiful once you’re finished with this project. What’s more important, though, is functionality. For example, is the refrigerator accessible to those walking by and anyone working in the cooking areas?

Kid-friendly designs also fall into this conversation. When working with the kitchen remodeling contractors, make sure the cooktop is away from high-traffic areas. That way your kiddos stay safe in this space.

Determine the right height for the microwave

What would you say is the best height and location for a microwave? Well, for adults, 15 inches above countertop level usually works well. The last thing you want to do is bend down or stand on your tiptoes when using the microwave, so definitely take this into consideration.

Figure out the island’s function

Some homeowners rarely use their kitchen island because it doesn’t offer much in terms of function. Don’t let this be you after completing your remodel. If you want to cook and eat on the island, plan enough space so the cooktop is separated from the dining area.

A functional kitchen island is especially important if you’re hosting holiday gatherings this year. The more space you have available for meal preparation, the less cramped your kitchen will be when guests arrive.

Be mindful of the countertops

This ties back to the aforementioned island discussion. If you cook regularly, then more counter space is an absolute must. During the design phase, ask about having additional room between the range and sink.

Extra countertop space might seem trivial at first thought. However, trust us when we say it makes things so much easier in the kitchen over time.

Organize the range accordingly

How nice would it be to not have to open a bunch of cabinets and drawers every time you cook? It’s possible with a well-organized oven range. Start by placing a shelf beside or behind the range to keep cooking oils, spices, and utensils handy.

As explained in the BHG article, you can even place S hooks on the side of the range hood to hang frequently used pots and pans. Not only does this level of organization help with cooking, but it also frees up space in cabinets and drawers.

Make recycling a breeze

Trying to be more ‘green’ once your kitchen renovation is complete? Then equip a cabinet with containers for plastic, glass, and metal. If your family accumulates lots of magazines and/or newspapers in a short period of time, store them in a space drawer.

Install multiple electrical outlets

Think about how electrical outlets are currently set up in your kitchen. Is a great deal of creativity required just to plug something in? For your kitchen redesign, install several outlets along the backsplash and on the island.

This ensures you’ll have electricity whenever you need it.

Establish a focal point

The kitchen tends to be the busiest room of the house, especially at dinner time. Once you’re pleased with the functionality, move on to the aesthetics. Our recommendation here is to find one focal point that takes the eye away from splashy tile, bright cabinets, and busy countertop patterns.

Pro tip when establishing a focal point in the kitchen: Complement this area with other quieter, eye-pleasing details.

The Leaders in Cabinet Refacing

Here at St. Croix Cabinet Solutions, we understand the stress of the holidays. If you’re hosting a gathering these next few months, you obviously want to make everything perfect. So why not start with a kitchen makeover?

Our kitchen remodeling contractors in Hudson have been doing transformations for years. Unlike the other guys, we don’t simply settle for a “one-size-fits-all” approach. At St. Croix Cabinet Solutions, our contractors always have your budget and needs in mind.

Whether you’re interested in wood floors, luxurious countertops, or modern cabinets, you can count on St. Croix to get the job done right. As you can see from the rest of our site, we specialize in cabinetry. St. Croix is the No. 1 choice for replacement cabinets, cabinet refacing, and cabinet refinishing.

As a family owned and operated business, St. Croix emphasizes craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. Never will we use salesy tactics to trick you into buying something you don’t even need. Our team will respect you, your family, and your property.

This is the perfect time of year to complete that kitchen renovation. So why not turn to the cabinet experts for assistance?

See what St. Croix Cabinet Solutions can do for your family. Call us now.