• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Gplus
  • Home
    • Get Started
    • Our Story
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
      • Meet Travis
      • Meet Stacey
      • Meet Jeneane
      • Meet Taylor
      • Meet Heather
      • Meet David
    • Testimonials
    • Publications and Awards
  • Cabinets
    • Cabinet Options
      • Walker Woodworking
      • Dura Supreme
      • Cabinets by Cabico
      • Metropolitan Woodworks Cabinets
      • Fabuwood Cabinets
      • James Martin
    • Browse by Room
    • Cabinet Accessories
      • Decorative & Functional Components
      • Decorative Cabinet Hardware
  • Inside the Showroom
    • Award Winning Showroom
    • Design in a Day
    • Interior Designer
    • Randy McNeilly
    • Resources & Partners
      • Cabinetry
      • Countertops
      • Decorative Cabinet Hardware
      • Decorative & Storage Components
      • Kitchen and Bath
      • The Galley Dealer
      • Graber
      • Grouthouse Solid Wood Surfaces
      • Furniture and Home
      • Karran Sinks
      • Kessick Custom Wine Cellars
      • Lighting Resources
      • Nora Fleming
      • Spatial Solutions
      • Stikwood
      • Stoll Industries
      • Tile Resources
      • Vintage Vinyl
  • Our Process
    • 7 Step Process
    • Our Services
      • Kitchen and Bath Design
      • Millwork
      • Install FAQ
      • Interior Designer
  • Contact Us
    • Service Areas
  • Blog
  • Where to Start
  • Happenings
    • May Events
    • June Events
    • Event Gallery
    • Five year anniversary
    • Grand Opening Gala
    • Community
980-404-9600
Greenbrook Design Center
  • Home
    • Get Started
    • Our Story
    • FAQ
    • Meet the Team
      • Meet Travis
      • Meet Stacey
      • Meet Jeneane
      • Meet Taylor
      • Meet Heather
      • Meet David
    • Testimonials
    • Publications and Awards
  • Cabinets
    • Cabinet Options
      • Walker Woodworking
      • Dura Supreme
      • Cabinets by Cabico
      • Metropolitan Woodworks Cabinets
      • Fabuwood Cabinets
      • James Martin
    • Browse by Room
    • Cabinet Accessories
      • Decorative & Functional Components
      • Decorative Cabinet Hardware
  • Inside the Showroom
    • Award Winning Showroom
    • Design in a Day
    • Interior Designer
    • Randy McNeilly
    • Resources & Partners
      • Cabinetry
      • Countertops
      • Decorative Cabinet Hardware
      • Decorative & Storage Components
      • Kitchen and Bath
      • The Galley Dealer
      • Graber
      • Grouthouse Solid Wood Surfaces
      • Furniture and Home
      • Karran Sinks
      • Kessick Custom Wine Cellars
      • Lighting Resources
      • Nora Fleming
      • Spatial Solutions
      • Stikwood
      • Stoll Industries
      • Tile Resources
      • Vintage Vinyl
  • Our Process
    • 7 Step Process
    • Our Services
      • Kitchen and Bath Design
      • Millwork
      • Install FAQ
      • Interior Designer
  • Contact Us
    • Service Areas
  • Blog
  • Where to Start
  • Happenings
    • May Events
    • June Events
    • Event Gallery
    • Five year anniversary
    • Grand Opening Gala
    • Community
  • Search
  • Menu

10 Design Tips for your Kitchen Remodel

Post by Stacey Walker. Stacey mostly works behind the scenes for Greenbrook Design, managing day to day operations, marketing, sourcing product and keeping the showroom beautifully designed. Stacey also does interior design & home styling for a select number of clients. Find out more about Stacey here.

TRICKS OF THE TRADE + DESIGN TIPS

Are you planning to remodel your kitchen? If so you are probably curious about what “hidden secrets” designers may know and what design tips they may have. Here I will share the inside scoop about what our design team recommends as their top ten secrets. First and foremost, we strongly recommend that you invest in quality cabinetry for your project. The cabinets are the foundation of a beautiful kitchen and they will stand the test of time, even if you need to replace appliances down the road. Do not sacrifice quality for your cabinets, you can always save for and install your dream appliances at a later date. Design tips shared below.

1. Define the work zones early.

I cannot overstate how crucial this is. Working with your designer, discuss how you plan to work in your kitchen and the flow of your prepping, cleaning, and entertaining styles. Planning unique zones for each task is ideal if possible, especially in a two-cook kitchen. Otherwise, you will be bumping into the other person all the time. We always recommend maximizing prep space on a center island by putting a prep sink on one end. This allows you to really spread out while prepping and to serve your guests family style.

Define work zones. This small kitchen has a well-defined work zone and plenty of counter-top space.

2. Plan storage for everything!

Once the layout is set I’d recommend planning a specific spot for all of the unusual objects in your kitchen. Lids can be problematic to store as well as crock pots, griddles, and odd shaped pitchers or cake stands. If you have extra room in a pantry or closet that may be ideal, but if not, your designer can help make sure to allow space in all of your cabinetry and assert the proper function of each to store things well.

Plan for storage. Featured image is a pan divider.

3. Integrate deep cabinets.

We always help our clients to utilize depth in their cabinetry as well as height and these design tips are a great way to do so. Incorporating refrigerator side panels has become a standard practice for our design process through the years. These panels serve to hide the side of the appliance and in addition, they accommodate for a deeper cabinet above the fridge, which translates into more storage. Additionally, we plan all of our side panels and tall cabinets to be at least 26” deep, so that the countertop dies seamlessly into the side of them, not protruding past the front of the cabinet.

Integrated paneled refrigerator, with integrated panels.

4. Use pantry and spice pullouts, one of our favorite design tips.

We incorporate at least two of these items into every kitchen we build, and have used a maximum of 12 in one kitchen. These inner cabinet mechanisms make accessing your items a breeze, allowing you to fully utilize all of the interior space easily. Being able to see all of the products you have allows you to plan meals accurately while avoiding food waste. In many deep cabinets, food items get pushed into the back of a cabinet hole and then end up not being used. Since pullouts bring everything out, the problem of forgotten expired food can be eliminated.

Tall Pantry pull-outs.

5. Hide appliances with integrated panels or closures, one of our popular design tips.

Appliance panels are becoming more and more popular in our installations and a great design tip. Covering up the dishwasher, refrigerator, and warming drawers in our clients’ kitchens give the cabinetry a seamless appearance and many homeowners appreciate that there is less maintenance required to clean smudges and fingerprints. It is also becoming increasingly popular to plan space for hiding the secondary appliances as well. Microwaves can be hidden with a pop-up door keeping countertops uncluttered when the coffeemaker, blender, and toaster are tucked away behind pocket doors. See how beautiful cabinetry makes statement by using this feature.

Appliance storage.

6. Plan ahead for optimal lighting.

It is frustrating to attempt any household project when you do not have adequate lighting, so this is one of our design tips that we suggest during our meetings. Since cooking is something you’ll be doing daily, while using sharp objects, it is imperative to plan abundant light for all of your work areas. Undercabinet lighting is a must and can easily be accommodated by our cabinetry designs. There are more and more options being developed, our designers can take you through recommendations based on your needs and the cabinet style you’ve chosen. It is also important to provide adequate lighting for any open glass display cabinets in the kitchen. We always put glass shelving into any cabinets with a glass front, so that the light can travel down through each shelf. These shelves can have either a polished edge or a wooden edge, depending on your preference.

Featured Display lighting and under-counter lighting.

7. Create a hidden charging station, one of our smart design tips.

In our society, every member of the family has their own devices, along with these devices comes the inevitable clutter and tangle of cords. Wouldn’t it be nice if all of that could be hidden? Tucking it away is the idea, so we recommend planning a charging station to be tucked within a drawer or cubby somewhere in the kitchen. For more ideas on this area of your kitchen see: charging up without creating clutter.

Each cubby has an outlet to store and charge devices.

8. Incorporate double-decker silverware and utensil dividers.

This is becoming a frequent request among our homeowners, since building this type of drawer allows you to double the space you utilize within the drawer. My husband’s favorite feature in our kitchen in the deep double-decker drawer where we have all of our cooking utensils above our saute and frying pans. Everything is so easy to get to when we’re cooking. Take a look at a historic farmhouse rehabilitation project where we used this technique.

Double-decker drawer.

9. Don’t forget a shelf above your tray storage.

This is often a missed area by many kitchen designers, but not by our design team. Depending on where you place your tray rack, over the refrigerator or double ovens, you may or may not have room for this. The room left above the slots for the tray divider may be minimal based on your ceiling heights. However, most of our clients have ceilings tall enough to allow for a shelf up above their trays. It is a space that will not be accessed very much, but can still be used for seasonal items of family keepsakes. Find out how about our design services and how we help you achieve your dreams.

Open shelves above refrigerator. Vertical pan divders are located above the double oven.

10. Coordinate the sink finish with your countertop selection

We used to almost exclusively recommend stainless steel as the “best” option for our clients, based on staining, durability, etc. In recent years manufacturers have vastly improved their other sink offerings: ceramic, cast iron, and fireclay materials have all been improved to last longer while still looking good. We recommend pairing a lighter colored granite or marble top with a lighter or white sink since they blend well, the sink will not become a visual focus when viewing the room. My sinks are rarely empty, so I definitely don’t want to show them off.

White sink complements this kitchen nicely.

A picture is worth a thousand words. If you want more design tips or ideas for your space, we would love to talk to you one on one about your particular project, call 980-404-9600 to schedule a design meeting or email us with any questions you may have. Be sure to check out this article by Life Rejoice on the 50 best paint colors for your kitchen.

Greenbrook Design, a kitchen and bath home center, is located in the charming Uptown Shelby area which is the perfect place to shop, taste local cuisine and enjoy great entertainment. While our Uptown district is not large, but we have some really unique and friendly places to visit. It is also just 25 minutes away from the Tryon Equestrian center. We are also only an hour from Hickory, Charlotte, Greenville, SC, and Asheville.  Come visit our charming small town with restaurants, stores, and entertainment that are sure to not disappoint.

Leave a comment, let us know what you think!

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Google+
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail

Did you enjoy this post?

If so, we invite you to sign up for our monthly newsletter for new post updates and featured projects from our designers.

Did I mention we only send these once a month?

Newsletter Sign-Up

Instagram

greenbrookdesign

Now offering virtual design meetings
Email 🖥 jan@greenbrookdesign.com for more info
Follow👉 @walkerwoodworking

Greenbrook Design
From install to completion, we love how this job t From install to completion, we love how this job turned out with our friends from New Old!
#greenbrookdesign
#kitchensofinsta
#newoldhomes
#openplankitchen
#kitchenproject
#kitchenupdate
#beautifulcabinets
#livingspaces
#farmhouseinspired
#rustickitchen
#modernfarmhousedecor
#installday
#designsolutions
#naturalwood
#homerenovations
#renovationproject
#renovationideas
#kitchenreno
Tired of fighting for counterspace? This long doub Tired of fighting for counterspace? This long double sink vanity quickly solves that problem!
#greenbrookdesign
#masterbathroomdesign
#bathroomvanity
#doublevanity
#whitecabinets
#bathroomlighting
#bathroomcountertop
#tilelove
#tilestyle
#masterbathroom
#bathroommirror
#countertops
#bathroomvanities
#bathroomdesigner
Another project almost done! #greenbrookdesign #ba Another project almost done! #greenbrookdesign #bathroomremodel #masterbath #bathroomreno #hometransformation #masterbathroomdesign #cltdesign #charlotteconstruction #bathroomvanity #kitchenandbathdesign #charlotteinteriordesigner #bathroomgoals #tilelove #tilestyle #soakertub #walkinshower #bathroommakeover
Barn doors can be glamorous! Custom doors made b Barn doors can be glamorous! 

Custom doors made by Walker Woodworking add character and charm to this walk-in closet located in the master bedroom of a client’s home. Did we mention that there are mirrors on the other side?
#walkerwoodworking
#barndoors
#charlotteconstruction
#closetdoors
#closetdesign
#design
#build
#install
#charlotteinteriordesign
#hangingdoors
#farmhousestyle
#interiordesignersofig
#whitebarndoors
#farmhousedesign
#mastercloset
#masterbedroomdesign
Maximizing minimal space is our specialty. Heather Maximizing minimal space is our specialty. Heather's client needed a kitchen that felt open yet functional for their daily routine. Adding the glass cabinet doors above the stove plus a glass shelf makes the space feel more open. Fun fact, the owner designed and built the light in the kitchen!
#greenbrookdesign
#creativestoragesolutions
#kitchenandbathdesign
#smallkitchendesign
#whitekitchen
#kitchenrenovation
#installday
#design
#build
#install
#kitchensofig
#kitchenlighting
#kitchenproject
#kitchenstorage
It is always an exciting day to see another projec It is always an exciting day to see another project installed and these reeded doors look absolutely amazing! In fact, all of these colors work so well together. Well done @georgiastreetdesign!
#greenbrookdesign
#reededcabinetry
#georgiastreetdesign
#cltdesign
#cabinethardware
#paintedcabinets
#charlotteinteriordesign
#designservice
#designinspiration
#detailsmatter
#charlottehomes
#brickwalls
#luxuryspaces
#tilestyle
#tileinspo
#tileinstallation
Just some behind the scenes of filming our 5 year Just some behind the scenes of filming our 5 year anniversary video. Have you watched it yet?
#greenbrookdesign 
#workanniversary 
#filminglocations 
#behindthecamera 
#showrooms 
#charlottesbackyardnc 
#smallbusinessowner 
#womanowned 
#movingfurniture 
#arranging 
#cltdesign
There are several great storage options available There are several great storage options available in this bathroom but they also effortlessly blend into the design creating a eleant space for everyone to enjoy.
#greenbrookdesign
#bathroomdesigner
#cltdesign
#bathroomsofinsta
#masterbathroom
#bathdesign
#bathroomvanity
#storagesolutions
#bathroominspiration
#bathroomdesignideas
#customstorage 
#blackandwhitedesign
Another job is just about complete and we love how Another job is just about complete and we love how it turned out. From a blank canvas to design rendering to now the (almost) finished product, this is why we do what we do!
Cabinets by Walker Woodworking are Framelss and the preimeter area is painted SW Revere Pewter. Swipe to see the rendering and the before photos.
#greenbrookdesign
#installday
#cabinetdesigner
#kitchendesigner
#swcolorlove
#sherwinwilliams
#paintedcabinets
#designrendering
#whitecabinets
#kitchenproject
#kitchenreno
#kitchengoals
#customcabinets
#kitchensofinstagram
#openplankitchen
#livingspaces
#kitchenupdate
Be inspired by one of Heather's favorite projects. Be inspired by one of Heather's favorite projects.
She enjoyed working with the client to maximize storage in the closet so that there was room for everything. An added feature included a “his” and “hers” double sided island with space to store his steam iron, shoe cleaning supplies with seating, and customized drawer dividers for jewelry, glasses, ties, belts, and watches. She also designed a creative use of space around an HVAC return to house his watch collection.
#greenbrookdesign
#customcloset
#masterbedroomdesign
#getorganized
#clutterfreeliving
#bedroomcloset
#closetdesign
#cltdesign
#paintedcabinets
#organizedhome
#homeorganizationtips
#closets
It’s all about the details…those last minute a It’s all about the details…those last minute adjustments can make all the difference.
#greenbrookdesign 
#photoshootday 
#photodetails 
#commercialphotography 
#revealday 
#photographerlife 
#kitchenremodel 
#kitchencountertops 
#openkitchen 
#kitchenphotography 
#takingphotos 
#kitchenandbathdesign 
#homephotography 
#detailsmatter 
#kitchenrenovations 
#kitchenislandinspo 
#kitchensofinsta
Whether it is large pendant lighting or elegant wa Whether it is large pendant lighting or elegant wall sconces, we have the options you need for the way you live.
#greenbrookdesign
#sconces
#personalizeyourspace
#lightfixtures
#designlighting
#kitchenandbathdesigner
#lightinginspiration
#walllights
#chandeliers
#decorativelighting
#modernlighting
#lightingsolutions
#lightingideas
#spotlightonmyhome
First Friday is here and we are excited to see eve First Friday is here and we are excited to see everyone!  Live music will be provided by Mason Cole so be sure to make plans to come because Greenbrook Design is the place to be for good times with good friends!
#greenbrookdesign 
#firstfridays 
#uptownshelbync 
#uptownevents
Beautiful patterns are at play with Graber blinds. Beautiful patterns are at play with Graber blinds. This is just a sample of the many available to you in various sizes and styles.
#greenbrookdesign
#graberblinds
#motorizedblinds
#romanshades
#windowtreatments
#homedecor
#designdetails
#makehomeyours 
#windowcoverings 
#curtaindesign 
#windowstyle 
#homebeautiful 
#designanddecoration
Anyone up for a little "lighting" round? Which one Anyone up for a little "lighting" round? Which one do you love?
#greenbrookdesign
#lightingideas
#homelighting
#kitchenislandlighting
#kitchenreno
#pendantlighting
#colorfulhome
#southernliving
#homeinteriordesign
#personalizeyourspace
#maketimefordesign 
#modernlighting 
#lightfixtures 
#homelighting 
#ìnteriorlighting 
#lightingsolutions 
#designlighting
Shiplap, Stone & Shelves Having a striking firepl Shiplap, Stone & Shelves

Having a striking fireplace can instantly uplift the look of your home. This fireplace surround is a major focal point in this home and is looking great during the install. Swipe to see the final result. 
Shiplap & Cabinets by Walker Woodworking.
#greenbrookdesign
#installday
#homerenovation
#fireplacedecor
#personalizeyourspace
#webelieveinhome
#naturalstone
#buildersofinsta
#southernliving
#tilestyle
#homebeautiful
#tileinstallation
#tileinspo
#designinspiration
#modernhomedesign
#tilelove
#luxurylivingroom
#highceilings
#openplan
#openplanliving
#cltdesign
#charlotteconstruction
Be inspired by some of our designer's favorite pro Be inspired by some of our designer's favorite projects like this one from Jeneane that she did with Kitchen Designs by Leah. Some of features she loved was the unique walnut beam design at the hood by Walker Woodworking and the two islands, one of which had a waterfall edge.
#greenbrookdesign
#favoritedesigns
#kitchenandbathdesigner
#womeninbusiness
#design
#build
#install
#cltdesign
#favoriteproject
#projectdetails
#designsolutions 
#walnutwood 
#customcabinets 
#kitchenlighting 
#kitchenislandideas 
#countertopslab 
#charlotteinteriordesign 
#luxurykitchen
Have you seen this hangout area from our upstairs Have you seen this hangout area from our upstairs neighbors at @uptownindigo_shelby and @steeplescityclub 
#greenbrookdesign 
#shelbync 
#openspaces 
#livingspaces 
#openfloorplan 
#charlottedesign 
#southernliving 
#naturallighting 
#brickwall 
#personaldesign 
#personalizeyourlife 
#maketimefordesign 
#moderninterior 
#ashevilleinteriordesign 
#modernhomedesign
It is national muffin day! Which kitchen would you It is national muffin day! Which kitchen would you like to cook up a batch of fresh muffins in? 
#greenbrookdesign 
#nationalmuffinday 
#castyourvote 
#whichkitchenwouldyou
We loved sponsoring the Women on Fire event #gree We loved sponsoring the Women on Fire event 
#greenbrookdesign 
#womenownedsmallbusiness 
#womenhelpingwomen 
#communitylove 
#shelbync 
#smalltownlife
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Visit Us in Uptown Shelby

Showroom Hours

  • Monday 9 to 5 pm
  • Tuesday 9 to 5 pm
  • Wednesday 9 to 5 pm
  • Thursday 9 to 5 pm
  • Friday 10 to 4 pm (First Friday’s extended hours 5 to 7 pm)
  • Saturday 10 to 2 pm

Make an appointment today for a design meeting!

112-1 N. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC
980-404-9600

 

GBD Logo

Visit Us in Historic Shelby

112 N. Lafayette St., Shelby, NC
980-404-9600

Dealer for

Walker Woodworking

 

Showroom

Call & schedule a showroom tour!
980-404-9600

Newsletter Signup

Greenbrook Design - powered by Enfold WordPress Theme
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Gplus
Mixing business with pleasure Featured Wellborn Remodel Project
Scroll to top