It’s tempting to find a fantastic picture on Houzz – one that sums up your Chicago kitchen remodeling fantasy – and say, “There! That’s it! That’s exactly what I want.” In the world of design, that’s like giving a big, huge answer without ever hearing the question(s). Sure, there may be things you appreciate visually, stylistically and even functionally – but you aren’t seeing all the ins-and-outs that make that kitchen work for you (or not).

Bamboo and hardwood floors share many of the same characteristics – a warm, high-quality look, a smooth surface and multiple finish options. However, for all that it might look like hardwood, bamboo is actually a reedy plant, and that makes it notably different than its woody, tree-based counterpart.

The kitchen island is a versatile feature. It can stand alone, with a relatively bare countertop surface, waiting to be used as an expansive food prep area and/or dine-in eating spot. Or, it can serve as a prep area/dish washing station, armed with a sink and dishwasher.

Having a kitchen that opens up to the home’s busy family room is ideal on many counts. It allows parents to keep tabs on little ones (and/or bigger ones hanging out with friends), and it’s desirable for those who entertain on a regular basis.

Porcelain tiles were a kitchen mainstay throughout the 80s and 90s, and then they were swept away by the wave of luxury kitchen designs that heavily promoted natural stone slabs.

Important to note, however, is that porcelain tiles were popular for a reason – porcelain is extremely durable, nearly impervious to staining and is available in a wide range of colors.

The majority of the visuals in your Chicago kitchen remodel are vertical or horizontal. Of the horizontal planes – ceiling, countertops and flooring – countertops are the most notable because they take up the middle, closer to eye-level plane.

And, because countertops also serve such an important utilitarian function, choosing the right one for the long-haul is critical to the success of your new kitchen.

We’ve written in the past that function trumps form in kitchen design – and that’s true in many ways. When it comes to the form aspect of the puzzle, we think of the kitchen in terms of an artistic composition, and this composition includes things like a united, harmonious theme, focal point(s) balance, symmetry, contrast…and texture!

Are you replacing the flooring in your Chicago kitchen remodel? If so, you may find yourself debating between hardwood and bamboo options, the latter of which receives a fair amount of press as the result of its advertised sustainability – and durability.

If you have a house full of children, we recommend designing a kid-friendly kitchen. In most cases, this won’t entail any significant changes to your current kitchen dreams. Rather, you’ll glean those “little extra” tips that enhance the function and safety of your kitchen, while also making it a space where young fry can be more independent (hurray!).

The cabinet finish you choose will likely have the greatest visual impact of all the Chicago kitchen design features you select. Visitors’ eyes will spend more time looking at these vertical faces longer than they will the horizontal ones.