Decision Note3 min
Tall Pantry or More Counter Space? Follow the Groceries.
The cereal has a home. The chopping board does not. A pantry can solve the wrong shortage.
Weigh the options
kitchens
Kitchen renovations.
Better storage, a layout that flows, and a kitchen you enjoy using. From refacing to a full renovation.
- start here
- Layout
- choose together
- Materials
- starting at
- $9.9K+
A kitchen should make the ordinary parts of the day easier: somewhere to put the groceries, prep dinner, and sit without blocking a drawer. We help you work through the layout, cabinetry, surfaces, and installation. If you will stay home during construction, start with a plan for meals, dust, and access.
Burlington kitchen
The island got smaller. The kitchen got better.
- LayoutA shorter island kept the dishwasher and fridge route usable.
- StorageDeep drawers and a tall pantry replaced awkward corner storage.
- Living through itThe temporary kitchen needed a washing-up plan as well as cooking equipment.
Maya and Joel wanted a nine-foot island. They had saved the photo, picked the pendants, and more or less decided where everyone would sit. Then the proposed outline went onto the floor in tape. With the dishwasher open, Joel had to turn sideways to reach the fridge.
The revised island lost eighteen inches and gained deep drawers. A tall pantry moved to the end of the run. The room still had somewhere to sit with a coffee, but now someone could make toast while someone else unloaded the dishes. That was the improvement they would notice every morning.
The awkward week came between cabinet installation and the finished counters. They had planned for takeout; they had not planned for how much they would miss a proper sink. Moving the temporary washing-up station closer to the dining room made the last stretch easier.
Their favourite detail ended up being a wide drawer beside the stove. Every pot lid had a place. The pendants looked good too, but the drawer got mentioned first.
“We were so busy making room for the island that we forgot to make room for ourselves.”
the dust
Dinner should not come with drywall dust.
Plan containment before demolition: assess suspect materials, separate occupied rooms, protect the HVAC system, and capture dust at the source. Air cleaning supports that plan. Agree the debris route, daily cleanup, and conditions that require the household to leave the work area.
the cabinet install
Drawers should open without a negotiation.
Cabinets need a level, secure installation with clearances for doors, drawers, and appliances. Plan filler strips, end panels, toe-kicks, and the countertop support before installation. Those small details decide whether a good-looking kitchen is comfortable to use.
gallery
Find the details you like.
how we coordinate trades
The right trade at the right stage.
Kitchen work needs a coordinated sequence: demolition and any structural work, trade rough-ins, required inspections, cabinetry, counters, and finishes. The quote should identify who handles each stage and which selections must be ready before work starts.
Electrical and plumbing work need appropriately qualified providers and the approvals that apply to the scope. Confirm responsibilities in writing rather than assuming the kitchen contract covers every notification or inspection.
Not every kitchen needs new cabinet boxes. Compare refacing and replacement, or explore IKEA, semi-custom, and custom cabinets before settling the scope.
questions & answers
Things homeowners ask.
Can we stay home during the renovation?
Often, if safe access, essential services, and separation from the work can be maintained. Discuss dust containment, the debris route, temporary food preparation, and planned water or power interruptions before demolition.
How long will the kitchen be out of use?
The schedule depends on layout changes, permits, cabinet delivery, countertop templating, and inspections. Ask for the construction window and the expected period without a working sink or cooking area as separate milestones.
Is refacing worth considering?
Yes, when the boxes are sound and the layout works. Compare the complete cost of doors, hardware, repairs, finishing, and installation with replacement. Water damage or a poor layout can make new cabinetry the better choice.
What should I send with my inquiry?
Photos of the whole room, approximate dimensions, your location, and what frustrates you about the current kitchen. Include any drawings and tell us whether you plan to stay home during the work.
from the workshop
All workshop notesRead more on this work.
Decision Note3 min
Kitchen Drawers or Cupboard Doors? Bring Your Biggest Pot.
Full-extension drawers are lovely until the stockpot is taller than the drawer. Measure the awkward things first.
Weigh the optionsDecision Note3 min
Use the Kitchen Corner, or Leave It Alone?
Sometimes the best corner cabinet is no corner cabinet. That sounds wasteful until you open the drawers beside it.
Weigh the optionsLet’s make it work for your house.
Tell us about your kitchen renovations project. A few photos, your location, and the result you want are enough to get started. We can work through the unanswered questions together.