Remodeling Your Kitchen? Choose Floors or Cabinets First and Get It Right

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, one of the biggest early decisions is determining whether to start with installing new floors or new cabinets first. Both impact the look, workflow, and functionality of your kitchen, so it's an important choice to get right.

Choosing Functionality Over Design

Before diving into the design elements of your remodel, first take time to consider how you want the kitchen to function on a day-to-day basis. Prioritizing functionality in the early planning stages will ensure the finished kitchen truly works for your needs.

Assess How You Use the Kitchen

Think about how your family uses the kitchen currently. Do you mainly reheat leftovers, or are you passionate home cooks who love to experiment with new recipes? Do the kids do homework at the kitchen table every evening? Is it the hub for family gatherings and entertaining friends?

Understanding your kitchen activities helps tailor the design for your lifestyle. For avid cooks, ample counter space and high-end appliances may be a priority. For busy families, easy clean-up features and durable surfaces help the kitchen withstand heavy daily use.

Evaluate Storage Needs

Take stock of how you currently use your cabinets, pantry, and other storage spaces. Consider what's working and what could be improved. Do you end up with overflowing cabinets because space is maxed out? Or is everything hidden away behind closed doors?

Carefully evaluating your storage needs will help inform cabinet design. Solutions like pull-out shelves, lazy susans, and specialty organizers can help maximize every inch.

Consider Appliances

Appliances are centerpieces of any kitchen, so choose them strategically based on how you cook and dine. Make a list of the types of appliances you need - stove, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc. Then determine the right size and features for your family.

For instance, avid bakers may want a double oven with convection settings. Frequent entertainers might opt for a built-in beverage center or wine fridge. There are many high-end appliances to suit diverse needs.

Weighing Pros and Cons of Floors vs. Cabinets

The debate about whether to start with new floors or cabinets comes down to the unique benefits and drawbacks of each approach. What works best for your kitchen depends on your goals and priorities.

Benefits of Starting with New Floors

Beginning your remodel by installing new floors offers some clear advantages:

• Floors can be precisely measured before cabinet installation for a custom fit.
• Fresh new floors are protected from damage during other demolition and construction work.
• A wide range of flooring materials like tile, hardwood, and laminate can be installed without restriction.

Challenges of New Floors First

However, there are also some potential downsides to tackle if starting with floors:

• You'll be without a functional kitchen during the floor installation phase.
• A temporary rental kitchen may be needed if the process takes several weeks.
• Existing subfloors could become damaged during demolition.

Advantages of Cabinets First

In contrast, beginning with installing new cabinets offers alternative benefits like:

• Immediate usability - new cabinets and countertops allow some kitchen functions during the rest of the remodel.
• It's easier to visualize the final kitchen design with cabinets in place.
• New flooring has protection from construction debris during later work.

Drawbacks of Beginning with Cabinets

However, there are also some compromises to starting with cabinets first:

• The floor may need to be pre-measured less precisely without cabinets as guides.
• New cabinets risk damage from other demolition and installation work.
• Flooring choices could be limited by need to go under existing cabinets.

Key Factors to Consider Your Priorities

With the pros and cons of each approach in mind, think about your specific goals, constraints, and preferences to determine the better starting point.

Cooking Needs and Kitchen Usage

How you cook and use your kitchen should guide priorities. Avid cooks may want cabinets and countertops installed first for usability. Families mainly needing a basic functional kitchen may go for new floors first.

Budget and Total Timeline

Your budget may dictate options. Starting with floors risks a higher cost for temporary cooking arrangements but allows custom cabinets. Opting for cabinets first may enable sticking to your budget but limit flooring options.

Your total timeline for the remodel will also impact the sequence. Those needing a completed kitchen ASAP may choose cabinets first to allow basic functions sooner.

Phasing the Project

Consider whether you can phase the remodel over time. Doing cabinets first allows use of the kitchen after Phase 1. Floors first means no usable kitchen until all work is done.

Flooring Material Preferences

Starting with floors is best if you have your heart set on natural stone, ceramic tile, or a floating floor that needs a flat subfloor. With cabinets first, flooring may be limited to glued down wood or vinyl planks.

Custom vs. Stock Cabinets

For maximum precision, custom-built cabinets benefit from installing floors first. But opting for ready-made stock cabinets makes going cabinet first more feasible.

Developing the Optimal Timeline

Understanding the typical sequence of a kitchen remodel project helps you plan an efficient timeline aligned with your goals.

Typical Sequence of Steps

While order can vary, most kitchen remodels follow this general sequence of steps:

1. Planning and Design: Finalize the layout, finishes, materials list, and design details.
2. Demolition: Remove old cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting and tear down walls as needed.
3. Install New Floors OR New Cabinets: Order of these two steps is a key decision, as discussed.
4. Install Countertops: After cabinets are in, measure and install new countertops.
5. Update Lighting and Plumbing Fixtures: Improve lighting scheme and install new sink, faucet and appliances.
6. Finishing Touches: Add final details like painting walls, installing backsplash tile, adding trim and moldings.

Order of Operations Options

Tweaking the typical sequence to best suit your kitchen remodel may involve:

• Floors first for precise cabinet measurements.
• Cabinets first for immediate usability.
• Combination where some cabinets get installed early then flooring goes in.

Accelerating the Timeframe

Options to condense the schedule include:

• Pre-purchasing cabinets, appliances and materials with long lead times.
• Overlapping preparation work like demolishing the old kitchen while new cabinets are being built.
• Hiring multiple crews to work on different phases simultaneously.
• Limiting the scope by doing a cosmetic refresh instead of a full renovation.

Communicating your ideal timeline to contractors early on allows them to advise the most efficient approach.

Creating a Functional and Beautiful Kitchen

With your cabinets and floors installed as the foundation, exciting details come together to create your dream kitchen.

Selecting Cabinets and Countertops

Put thought into the look, durability and functionality of cabinets and counters:

• Research door styles like shaker, inset or slab. Consider finishes from paints to stains to laminates.
• Countertops like quartz and granite add visual appeal. But butcher block offers function for avid cooks.
• Incorporate specialty pull-outs, organizers and drawers tailored to your storage needs.

Adding Backsplash and Lighting

Consider backsplash tile patterns and colors that complement your cabinetry. Strategically place task lighting, pendants and accent lighting. Dimmer switches create ambiance for dining.

Pulling It All Together

Finally, harmonize all the elements for a cohesive look:

• Paint or wallpaper walls to enhance the cabinet and flooring tones.
• Incorporate glass doors or open shelving for display space.
• Add moldings, trimwork and plant life for finishing touches.

Keep the overall style consistent from floor to ceiling, while still highlighting unique design details.

Determining whether to start your kitchen remodel with installing floors or cabinets has pros and cons to weigh. Focus on your functional needs, budget, timeline and style preferences to decide what works best.

While a major decision, take it one step at a time. Thoughtful planning at the start of your remodel sets you up for success in creating your dream kitchen.