If you’re about to begin a luxury kitchen remodeling project, you’ll soon realize that the process is more than just upgrading a room. It’s an exciting multi-step process in which your dedicated design and remodeling team creates a functional, personalized space that suits your unique wants and needs.

As a first-time remodeler, you may not know what’s involved in the process or what an average timeline looks like. Here’s what you can realistically expect:

Planning and Design

Planning and design are two of the most important phases of the entire luxury kitchen remodeling project. This is when you work with designers, architects, or the key team of a design-build business to define everything you want to see in your transformed space.

You’ll often start with the layout and workflow, with your kitchen design based on the ‘kitchen work triangle’ rule. Next, you’ll move on to the style, where you’ll plan whether you want a classic, transitional, or modern kitchen.

With the help of your design team, you’ll also plan materials that will become the heart of your kitchen, like custom kitchen cabinetry, premium finishes, and natural stone. These will be paired with high-end appliance brands, based on your preferences and needs.

How long the planning and design phase takes depends on the size of the kitchen and how extensive the remodeling project is. Most take between two weeks and two months.

Budgeting and Contracts

Before your luxury kitchen remodel gets underway, you’ll need to think about the business you’ll employ to carry it out and the budget you have for the entire project. This is why homeowners think about what renovations increase home value the most. They want to be sure that spending money on their home will result in returns, should they decide to sell.

During this process, you’ll also finalize the last details like the scope of the work, timeline expectations, contracts and payment schedules, and itemized costs for labor, appliances, cabinetry, and other expenses. Remember to allow a contingency budget of 10-20%.

Permits and Approvals

While not all luxury kitchen remodels will require permits and associated approval, some can, and they can take around 1-6 weeks to receive. Permits are typically required for electrical and plumbing upgrades, structural changes, and gas line modifications. Fortunately, your remodeling team will handle all compliance documents for your peace of mind.

Demolition and Preparation

After weeks or months of planning, the day has finally arrived for demolition and preparation to get underway! Your chosen design/build company will start removing old cabinets, countertops, and appliances to make way for the new ones. Flooring, walls, and structural changes will also be planned.

Now is also the best time to create a temporary kitchen elsewhere in your home and limit kitchen access to keep mess and dust in one place. 

Construction

Now the fun really begins! Your luxury home building team will get to work bringing your dream kitchen to life. Typically, this happens in three phases: structural and systems, installation, and finishing details.

The structural and systems part of the construction process involves making any necessary adjustments to framing, roughing in plumbing and electrical, and making HVAC modifications. Next, custom cabinetry is installed, which would have previously been handcrafted, along with countertops in a luxury finish like quartzite or marble.

High-end appliances follow next, along with lighting. Many homeowners opt for ‘layered’ lighting, including task, ambient, and accent.

Finally, it’s the finishing details. Your design and build team install backsplashes, take care of painting or wall finishes, and add all hardware and fixtures.

Inspections and Handover

Your beautiful new kitchen is almost ready for you to cook up a storm! All that’s left to do is perform a walkthrough with your luxury remodeling and design team to ensure code compliance, safety, and craftsmanship quality. When you’re happy with everything related to your brand new kitchen, you’ll receive your warranties and care instructions. It’s time to start enjoying your beautiful space!

What Makes it a ‘Luxury’ Kitchen Remodel?

When you think about what renovations increase home value the most, kitchens undoubtedly appear at the top of the list. However, some types of renovations add more value than others. For example, an entry-level kitchen remodel adds some value, but a luxury kitchen remodel can add much more!

But what makes it a ‘luxury’ kitchen remodel? It comes down to the small details and the level of detail:

• Custom cabinetry and millwork – details that simply don’t exist in kitset cabinetry you buy from your local hardware store
• Integrated smart appliances and systems
• Premium materials with unique finishes
• Thoughtful lighting design
• Tailored storage solutions
• Anything custom and personalized that you would like for your space

Ready to Get Started? Contact Roxy’s Renovations & Design in Marietta, GA

Luxury kitchen remodeling can be one of the best things you can do for your home to increase its functionality, aesthetic appeal, and resale value. Are you ready to learn more about transforming your kitchen and start enjoying mealtimes? Contact Roxy’s Renovations & Design in Marietta, Georgia, today.

Our experienced design and build team will take care of your high-end kitchen renovation from start to finish, including assisting with the design process and handling the fit-out, final touches, permits, and more. Schedule a consultation with the Roxy’s team today.

When planning a high-end kitchen remodel or a brand-new luxury home build, there are so many things to consider. Storage space, appliances, walls, and floors are just some of the many considerations.

But think about the one thing that gets the most use in any kitchen: countertops. If you’re planning your dream remodel, you want countertops that suit your design preferences and last the distance.

So, what kitchen countertops are the best? And what is the best material for kitchen countertops? We’ll answer these questions and others in this helpful high-end remodel guide below.

Best Luxury Kitchen Countertop Materials

Your eye for detail can only take you so far when planning your high-end remodel. While you might know the aesthetics you prefer, you may not know which materials are more suitable for some areas than others, and what will require more or less maintenance.

Quartzite

Quartzite is a 100% natural stone that starts as a non-foliated metamorphic rock composed entirely of quartz. It forms when quartz-rich sandstone is subjected to high pressure and heat. If you want the beauty of marble but prefer something a little more robust in your luxury kitchen, quartzite ticks all the right boxes.

This natural stone is renowned for its toughness in a heavily used kitchen. It’s also harder than granite and highly heat-resistant, making it a great-performing stone. The only true downside is that it requires sealing.

Engineered Quartz

If you’re designing a modern luxury kitchen and need a beautiful, durable countertop for a busy home, engineered quartz is a great option. It’s low maintenance, non-porous, stain-resistant, and doesn’t require sealing. It’s also exceptionally practical while still looking high-end.

However, it’s worth noting that, unlike quartzite and other natural stone, engineered quartz isn’t as heat-resistant. 

Granite

Custom home remodeling is a great way to ensure your home is uniquely yours. When it comes to achieving that in a countertop, granite can be the answer. This stone has a unique character, as each slab boasts a one-of-a-kind pattern.

Alongside their unique finish, granite countertops suit classic and transitional luxury kitchens and are desired for their durability and heat resistance. However, granite countertops do require periodic resealing to maintain their durability. 

Porcelain Slabs

If you’ve approached luxury home remodeling experts renowned for their forward-thinking, they may discuss the prospect of porcelain slabs with you. Considered a next-generation favorite, porcelain slabs are ultra-thin, seamless countertops renowned for high-tech durability.

While they require expert installation, these countertops suit modern, minimalist luxury kitchens and are preferred for their resistance to scratches, heat, stains, and UV rays.

Soapstone

If you’re wondering what kitchen countertops are best for a designer, bespoke kitchen, soapstone is the answer. Every time you enter your kitchen with soapstone countertops, you can’t help but fall in love with the rich matte texture and how it develops a patina over time.

While soapstone is a soft surface and requires maintenance, it’s a preferred choice by luxury homeowners looking for something just that little bit different to truly enhance their meal preparation area.

What is the Best Material for Kitchen Countertops? A Comparison Chart

With so many options to choose from, it’s not always easy to make that final decision! This comparison chart may make the process easier:

Material	Durability	Maintenance	Heat Resistance	Cost	Key Advantage	Main Drawback
Quartzite	Very high	Medium	Very high	$$$$	Pleasant marble look and great strength	Expensive and requires sealing
Quartz	High	Low	Medium	$$$	Non-porous and easy-care	Sensitive to heat
Granite	Very high	Medium	Very high	$$-$$$	Durable with natural variation	Requires sealing
Porcelain	Very high	Low	Very high	$$$	Modern and resistant to everything	Requires experts for installation
Soapstone	Medium	Medium	High	$$$	Unique matte patina	Softer and can scratch

Luxury Design Features

Sometimes, it’s not until you imagine your kitchen in place that you work out which countertop material is going to suit your needs. Think about the luxury design features that will take pride of place, and let them guide the way.

Waterfall Islands

Waterfall islands are countertops that flow down the sides, creating a waterfall effect. These countertops work best with some materials more than others. Most property owners choose porcelain and quartzite.

Full-Height Slab Backsplash

Rather than installing tiles, a sheet of glass, or another backsplash behind your cooking and washing-up area, you could install a full-height slab backsplash. This creates a seamless, high-end look in any luxury kitchen. Quartz is a great option for aesthetic appeal.

Bookmatching

Bookmatching is a design technique in which two or more adjacent slabs of natural stone, such as quartzite, are opened up like a book and polished on the same side. The goal? To align the patterns or veining to mirror one another, creating a symmetrical, seamless, and dramatic effect. Bookmatching is regularly seen in hotels and ultra-luxury kitchens.

Thick/Mitered Edges

When you want your luxury kitchen countertop to appear thicker than it is, mitered edges are a great fabrication technique. This is where two pieces of stone are cut at a 45-degree angle and joined to create a thick, seamless 90-degree edge. Such a technique is luxurious, modern, and regularly used to achieve waterfall edges.

So, What Kitchen Countertops Are the Best?

Ask any kitchen remodeling professional, and they’ll tell you that everyone’s version of the ‘best’ kitchen countertop material is different, based on each homeowner’s unique preferences, goals, and needs.

You might choose granite if you want something that balances aesthetics with practicality, or quartzite if you’re looking for authentic luxury combined with performance. Many homeowners opt for quartz, a low-maintenance luxury option, and porcelain when they truly want a talking point in their entertainment space.

Not sure which option is right for you? Discuss your vision with luxury remodeling experts. You can weigh up the pros and cons of each material to determine the best choice for your home.

Ready to Design Your Luxury Kitchen? Contact Roxy’s Renovations & Design in Marietta, GA

You deserve a beautiful, functional kitchen that makes you happy every time you step inside. If you’re ready to get started on turning those dreams into reality, discuss your vision with the Roxy’s Renovations & Design team in Marietta, GA. We are thrilled to be helping you plan your luxury remodel.