Renovating your kitchen in Wilmington, Delaware, is about more than just aesthetics. It’s about creating a space that suits your lifestyle, adds value to your home, and simplifies your daily life. Whether it’s a cramped kitchen in need of a better layout or a spacious but impersonal room, a successful renovation can radically transform how you use your home.
Types of Kitchen Layouts and How to Style Different Spaces
Before diving into materials and finishes, understanding your kitchen’s layout helps determine what’s possible. Each configuration has strengths worth maximizing.
It works well in narrower spaces. Consider vertical cabinets reaching the ceiling and light-colored finishes to prevent a tunnel effect. Open shelving on one side can add breathing room without sacrificing function.
It offers flexibility for both small and medium spaces. This setup naturally separates cooking from dining areas, making it ideal if you want a small breakfast nook.
It provides maximum counter space, wrapping three walls with cabinetry and work surfaces. These layouts excel for serious home cooks but require careful planning to avoid a closed-in feeling.
It blends cooking spaces with living areas. Matching your kitchen finishes with adjacent room elements creates visual continuity that makes the whole area feel larger.
Add a connected island to an L or U-shape, creating a natural boundary without walls. They’re perfect for homes where full islands won’t fit but you still want that casual dining counter.
Full-Service Kitchen Remodeling Services in Wilmington DE
A complete kitchen improvement in Wilmington DE involves multiple trades and careful coordination. Here’s what goes into transforming your space from start to finish.
Before anything new goes in, old materials come out. This starts with an initial consultation to assess what’s staying and what’s going. Proper demolition means protecting your home’s structure while removing cabinets, countertops, and fixtures.
You’ll get 2D and 3D drawings that show exactly how your new kitchen will look and function. Floor plans detail where appliances, cabinets, and work zones will sit. Tailored design means your specific needs drive every decision, whether that’s more prep space, better storage, or accommodating multiple cooks.
Cabinets define your kitchen’s personality and functionality. Custom cabinet fitting ensures every inch gets used efficiently, even in awkward corners or around windows. Cabinet layout design balances storage needs with visual appeal. Hardware selection might seem minor, but the right pulls and knobs tie everything together while making cabinets easier to use. Wall-mounting with safety anchors keeps upper cabinets secure, and soft-close drawer and door mechanisms add a touch of luxury that also protects your investment from constant slamming.
Countertops take daily abuse, so material choice matters. Granite offers durability and natural beauty. Quartz provides low maintenance and consistent patterns. Butcher block adds warmth but needs more care. Whether you’re replacing worn surfaces or upgrading to something more functional, proper installation ensures longevity.
Kitchen floors endure spills, dropped utensils, and constant foot traffic. Material options include tile for durability and easy cleaning, luxury vinyl for comfort and water resistance, or hardwood for timeless appeal. Installation involves proper substrate preparation so floors don’t crack or shift. Repair and replacement services address damaged sections without redoing the entire floor when possible.
Backsplashes protect walls from cooking splatters while adding visual interest. Material selection ranges from classic subway tile to glass, stone, or even metal. Tile layout and cutting require precision, especially around outlets and windows. Grouting and sealing prevent moisture infiltration. Edge trimming and finishing give clean lines where the backsplash meets counters and cabinets.
Good lighting transforms kitchens. Under-cabinet strips illuminate prep areas. Pendant lights over islands add ambiance. Recessed ceiling fixtures provide overall brightness. Plumbing relocations let you move sinks or add pot fillers. Electrical updates support modern appliances and create convenient outlet placement. Installation, repair, and replacement of these systems require licensed professionals who understand code requirements.
New appliances deserve proper installation. Microwaves need secure mounting and electrical connections. Dishwashers require both plumbing and electrical hookups, plus leveling for proper drainage. Ovens and ranges need gas or electrical work, plus proper venting. Refrigerators need sufficient clearance and sometimes dedicated circuits. Toasters and smaller items need accessible outlets. Chimney installation ensures cooking fumes exit your home rather than setting off smoke detectors.
Fresh paint completes the transformation. Whether you’re painting walls, ceilings, or adding an accent color, this step brings everything together. Finishing touches include installing switch plates, adding trim where needed, and that final cleaning that makes your new kitchen ready to use.
Our Step-by-Step Kitchen Remodeling Process
A kitchen remodeler from B&B Contracting will come to your home in Wilmington, DE, and sit down with you to talk about what you want out of your new kitchen. They’ll want to know how you use your kitchen, what’s driving you crazy about the way it is now, and what features are absolute must-haves for you.
With all the measurements in hand, it’s time to start designing your new kitchen. You’ll get to see what different layouts might look like, pick out the style, material and finishes that fit your personality and budget, and choose all the fixtures and hardware that’ll make your kitchen shine.
Getting a transparent estimate from the get-go means you know exactly where your money’s going, and you can make informed decisions about where to splurge and where to save.
If your project involves any major structural changes, plumbing relocations, or electrical work, you might need to get a building permit. Don’t worry, this is just a normal part of the process – it’s all about making sure your home is safe and up to code.
Once all the permits are in place, it’s time to get to work. The crew will start by clearing out the space, and then they’ll put up protection to keep dust and debris contained to the work area.
Bringing the Elements Together: The cabinets go in first, carefully leveled and secured. Then the countertops get installed, cut to exact spec and properly supported. Once the heavy cabinets are in place, it’s time to do the flooring. And finally, the tile work adds a beautiful backsplash that ties everything together.
Putting the Finishing Touches On: Next up, the lighting fixtures get installed and tested. Then the paint goes on the walls and ceiling. And, of course, the hardware gets put on the cabinet doors and drawers. Finally, all the electrical and plumbing connections get checked to make sure everything is working like it should.
The Final Walk-Through: Before calling it a wrap, you’ll do a thorough walk-through with the crew. This is your chance to make sure everything is just right, that all the appliances are working as they should, and that you know how to take care of your new kitchen.
Why You Should Choose B&B Contracting For Kitchen Renovation
Having worked in this area for years means that we have local building codes down pat, know the reliable suppliers to turn to, and have built relationships with inspectors that help us avoid delays and ensure everything meets the requirements.
We know that renovation projects can be a source of stress, so we communicate regularly. You’ll get daily or weekly updates on progress, upcoming phases, and any decisions that need your input. No surprises, no wondering what’s happening in your home.
Kitchen remodels create a mess. We put up dust barriers to protect the rest of your home and keep the work area clean and organized. We even sweep up the space at the end of each day.
Our project timelines are based on realistic estimates, not wild guesses. And if things do get delayed due to unexpected issues like material backorders or rain, we’ll be the first to let you know, with a revised schedule to boot.
At B&B Contracting, we’re committed to quality work that meets our high standards. That’s why we offer warranties on both materials and labor. If something goes wrong, we’ll be there to fix it without any hassle or additional charge. That’s the mark of a professional contractor.
FAQs
Minor updates like new countertops and paint might take one to two weeks. Full renovations involving layout changes, new cabinets, appliances, and flooring typically run six to eight weeks. Custom cabinetry can extend timelines since pieces are built to order. Weather, permit approval, and material availability affect schedules.
Most homeowners do stay home, however you’ll lose kitchen access, meaning reliance on microwaves, slow cookers, or eating out. Dust and noise happen during work hours. Our home improvement contractors can set up temporary sink stations in other areas if water access is critical. Many families find the inconvenience manageable for the end result.
Quartz leads for busy households. It resists stains, doesn’t require sealing, handles heat reasonably well, and comes in countless colors. Granite offers natural beauty and heat resistance but needs periodic sealing. Both handle daily use better than laminate or tile. For families with young kids, avoiding hard-to-maintain materials like marble makes daily life easier.
Replacing a kitchen cabinet is necessary when layouts need changing, boxes are damaged, or you want completely different storage solutions. If your current layout works but looks tired, refacing delivers a fresh appearance at lower cost.
Porcelain tile dominates kitchen floors for good reason because these are water-resistant, durable, and come in styles mimicking wood, stone, or traditional patterns. Ceramic costs less but chips more easily. Natural stone like slate or travertine adds character but requires more maintenance. For backsplashes, ceramic or glass tiles work well, offering easy cleaning and design flexibility.
Bosch builds reliable dishwashers known for quiet operation. KitchenAid makes solid ranges and refrigerators backed by good service networks. Whirlpool offers dependable performance at mid-range prices. For high-end options, Wolf and Sub-Zero deliver professional-grade performance with premium price tags to match.
