Revitalize Your Raised Ranch Home With A Stunning Kitchen Remodel

Outdated kitchens can make a raised ranch home feel dark and disconnected. By opening up the space and upgrading fixtures, you can create a stunning, contemporary kitchen perfect for entertaining or family meals.

A kitchen remodel increases enjoyment of your home and adds value. With smart planning and design, you can have the kitchen of your dreams.

Determine Your Goals and Set a Realistic Budget

Start by thinking about how you want to use your new kitchen. Do you love to cook and want more prep space? Do you frequently host large gatherings? Understanding your needs and lifestyle will inform the design.

Next, set a realistic remodel budget. Get quotes from contractors to determine expected costs. Prioritize must-haves like new cabinets and countertops over upgrades like a built-in espresso maker.

Figure Out How You Cook, Eat, and Live

Analyze how your family uses the kitchen day-to-day. Do you need more than one work zone for multiple cooks? Is a large island essential for casual dining? Do you prep lots of meals at once? Factoring in how you already use the space will ensure it suits your lifestyle.

Also consider how you entertain and what you'd like to do in the future. For frequent dinner parties, include space to gather and chat. Ample countertops make buffet service easier.

Set Realistic Budget and Priorities

Be thorough when determining your budget. Get quotes from contractors on the full scope of work. Prices vary greatly based on location, materials, appliances, and labor.

Once you know expected costs, prioritize updates. Focus first on elements like cabinets, counters, and flooring that are essential to function and provide the most impact.

Choose the Right Kitchen Layout and Create an Open Concept

For many raised ranch remodels, opening up the kitchen visually is a top priority. Strategically removing walls and adding a kitchen island can completely transform the space.

Carefully think through the new layout to optimize your cooking workflow. Maintain the convenient kitchen triangle between the sink, fridge, and stove.

Remove Walls and Doorways to Open Up Kitchen

Evaluate which walls in your kitchen are load-bearing vs. non-load bearing. Removing non-load bearing walls is an affordable way to open the space.

You may also want to take down walls between the kitchen and adjacent rooms like the dining room. This improves flow and allows easier entertaining.

Add a Kitchen Island

Islands instantly provide more prep space and storage. Add stools for casual dining. Position your island to delineate work zones.

Optimal island size depends on your space, usually 30-40 inches deep and 4-10 feet long. Ensure at least 42 inches of walkway around the island.

Select Durable and Stylish Countertops

Countertops see heavy use and should be resistant to stains, scratches, and heat. But they also make a design statement.

Popular options like granite, marble, and quartz all have pros and cons. Select a material that fits both your budget and aesthetic.

Pros and Cons of Popular Countertop Materials

Granite is a natural stone prized for its beauty. It's very durable but requires periodic sealing. Quartz counters are engineered stone that resist staining. Marble looks luxe but scratches and stains easily.

Butcher block offers a timeless look. It requires maintenance like oiling to prevent drying out. Long-lasting laminate counters are budget-friendly.

Choose Color, Edge, and Finish

Look for a counter color and pattern that complements your cabinetry and flooring. A standard flat edge works well or get decorative with a beveled or ogee edge.

Finishes like honed or polished change the look as well. Polished gives a glossy appearance while honed has a subtle matte finish.

Update Cabinets for Storage and Style

When renovating a raised ranch kitchen, updating cabinets makes a huge impact. Refacing with new doors and drawers provides an affordable option.

Carefully plan your cabinet layout to maximize storage and accessibility. Include specialty organizational features where you need them.

Replace or Refinish Existing Cabinets

Assess the condition of your current cabinets. If structurally sound, refacing just the doors and drawers can update the look at less cost.

For more customization or to correct issues like water damage, full cabinet replacement may be the better option. This allows you to modify the footprint as well.

Choose Cabinet Footprint and Layout

Standard cabinet depths are 12 or 24 inches while heights range from 30-42 inches. Plan your configuration to make the best use of available space.

Place frequently used items in the optimal ergonomic position. Include a food pantry for dry goods storage if possible.

Select Door Style and Finish

Cabinet door styles set the tone of your kitchen's look from traditional to contemporary. Choose a finish like stained wood, painted, glazed, or laminate.

Hardware makes a statement too. Opt for knobs, long pulls, or handles in brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, or satin brass.

Include Organizational Features

Roll-outs, pull-outs, partitions, and spice racks keep items accessible and prevent clutter. Use corner cabinets effectively with lazy susans.

For frequently used small appliances, include specialized storage like slide-out trays or a mixer lift that raises mixers to counter height.

With strategic layout changes, luxurious surfaces, and storage solutions, you can transform your dated raised ranch kitchen into a breathtaking entertainer’s kitchen or chef’s paradise.

Investing in a customized remodel allows you to truly make the space your own. Work with contractors to create a modern kitchen that suits your family's lifestyle and adds functionality, beauty, and value to your home for years to come.