The Coastal Reno: 5 Incredible, Built-In Kitchen Features
A couple of weeks ago, we revealed The Coastal Reno, our latest kitchen remodel with a coastal vibe. We completely renovated the kitchen from a dark, dated, and closed-off space to a beautiful open kitchen filled with natural light. (If you missed it, you can get caught up on this project here.)
Today, we’re sharing the 5 must-have kitchen features we included in our client Hannah’s home. If your kitchen is missing any of these, you may feel inspired to add them to your wish list!
1. Spacious Kitchen Island
This kitchen island is more than just a place for a couple of bar stools; it's the hub of the home. We designed the island to expand the work area with a large quartz countertop, room for seating, and a variety of built-in cabinet features.
Before (left) was the original and inconvenient breakfast bar. After (right) is an island with a large workspace and customized storage.
In our previous post, we detailed the process of removing a wall and turning the bulky breakfast bar into a stunning island. Now, when Hannah is at the sink, she can see the entire family room, the entryway, and out the front and back windows. She is part of the activity!
2. Upgraded Kitchen Cabinet Features
Kitchen cabinetry is Steve’s jam and specialty. As someone who loves to cook in his downtime (and he’s very good at it), he knows all the ins, outs, and little nuances that perfectly suit cabinet features to daily use and ease. Some of the key features in Hannah’s kitchen now include:
Wall cabinets are 10” taller than traditional sizing to provide another shelf.
A convenient pull-out trash can next to the sink. The garbage is now discreetly hidden instead of exposed in a free-standing can at the end of the counter.
Full-depth tray racks above the fridge for easy access, simple organization, and to keep that hard-to-use space fully functional.
Built-in pantry with rollout drawers to make use of every square inch of the space — even hard-to-reach items in the back!
And…more storage on the back of the island, including rollouts that are back- and knee-friendly!
You can discover more of Steve’s favorite kitchen cabinet features here.
3. Deep Drawers Conveniently Located Near the Oven & Stove
There isn’t a kitchen we touch that doesn’t have deep drawers instead of traditional cabinets. Why? Drawers save your back from bending down and peering into the back of the cabinet. They also keep you from losing items in dark, hard-to-reach cabinet corners.
Placement is equally important. In Hannah’s kitchen, we installed deep drawers right next to the range for storing large pots and pans. We also added two roll-out drawers right at hand height, perfect for items like utensils and spices.
4. Quartz Countertops
The finishes (materials) used in this kitchen needed to tie in the coastal vibe and be durable, as it is a high-traffic area. Our selections include quartz countertops that are clean, fresh, and much easier to clean compared to the tile countertops she had before.
5. Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Initially, our design didn’t include upgrading the floor, but when we moved the wall, a patch of bare floor was revealed. Then we realized the tile was discontinued, so we couldn’t patch it up. New floors, it is! We went with a durable LVP in a sandy, beach-inspired shade that stretched through the living area and dining room.
There you have it — a kitchen that looks beautiful yet simple at first glance but has functionality and durability built into every inch. That’s how we design kitchens that work for everyday life.
Ready to start your own renovation? Reach out to us here to discuss your project and see if we’re the right team for you.
Warmly,
Sarah & Steve