Chesterfield Kitchen Remodel
A Complete Kitchen Transformation in Chesterfield, MO
What happens when a kitchen that worked well enough twenty years ago no longer fits the way you live today?
That was the challenge behind this kitchen remodel in Chesterfield, Missouri. The original kitchen dated back to the early 2000s and, while it was still functional, the finishes, appliances, lighting and layout were ready for a substantial update.
The homeowners weren’t simply looking for new cabinets and countertops. They wanted to explore what the kitchen could become.
That meant taking a closer look at the pantry, appliance locations, kitchen island, lighting, storage and traffic flow before deciding what stayed, what moved and what needed to go.
Using our 4P Remodeling Process—Perfect Plan, Perfect Products, Perfect Price and Perfect Project—we explored multiple design possibilities before developing the final plan and bringing the new kitchen to life.
The Original Chesterfield Kitchen
The existing kitchen was original to the home and reflected many of the materials and design choices commonly used in the early 2000s.
The 42-inch wall cabinets featured white thermofoil-wrapped doors. White Corian solid-surface countertops covered the perimeter and island. While both had served the homeowners well, they were beginning to show their age.
Some appliances had already been updated, including a stainless steel freestanding refrigerator. Others were ready for retirement. The original kitchen still included a white glass electric downdraft cooktop along with a smaller 27-inch wall oven and microwave.
Lighting was another major limitation.
The entire kitchen relied primarily on three light fixtures: one over the sink, one above the island and another over the kitchen table. The result was a large kitchen without the layered lighting we would typically incorporate into a kitchen design today.
The tile backsplash and wood flooring had been updated more recently, but otherwise, the basic kitchen hadn’t changed much since the house was built.
Existing Chesterfield Kitchen Before Remodel
Completed Chesterfield Kitchen Remodel Images
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What Did the Homeowners Want to Improve?
Rather than jumping immediately to cabinet colors and countertop samples, we started by identifying the bigger opportunities within the room.
The project goals included:
- Creating a more functional kitchen layout
- Increasing usable cabinet and countertop space
- Enlarging the kitchen island
- Improving traffic flow around the island
- Updating the appliance package
- Improving kitchen lighting
- Taking better advantage of the tall ceilings
- Evaluating the existing pantry configuration
- Creating a more intentional focal point around the cooking area
- >Updating the overall appearance of the kitchen without losing sight of functionality
Most importantly, we wanted to determine whether the existing layout was really the best use of the available space.
That’s where the Perfect Plan begins.
Exploring the Possibilities: Two Kitchen Design Concepts
One of the advantages of planning a complete kitchen remodel is that you don’t have to assume the new kitchen should look like the old one.
During the initial design phase, we measured the existing space, documented the existing conditions and utilities, and photographed the kitchen extensively. That information allowed our design team to recreate the existing space and begin exploring alternatives.
Rather than immediately presenting one solution, we developed two substantially different kitchen design concepts.
The purpose wasn’t simply to give the homeowners two pretty pictures. We wanted them to see how different decisions about walls, pantry storage, appliances and the island could affect the entire kitchen.
Kitchen Design Option A: Improve the Existing Footprint
Our first design took a somewhat more conservative approach to the existing architecture.
We reconfigured the pantry walls to create additional usable space in the kitchen while retaining pantry storage. The revised layout also incorporated a desk or work area requested by the homeowners.
We repositioned the refrigerator farther back, which created additional clearance around the kitchen island and improved traffic through the room.
The island itself became larger, providing more workspace and making it a more important part of the kitchen.
Because the room has tall ceilings, we also wanted the cabinetry to take advantage of the vertical space. Wall cabinets extended to approximately 108 inches high. Rather than using stacked cabinets, this concept utilized taller single-door cabinets to achieve the height while helping manage the overall cabinetry investment.
For the cooking area, we introduced a professional-style 36-inch dual-fuel range with a wall-mounted hood, creating a much stronger focal point than the original downdraft cooktop.
The result was a dramatically updated kitchen without completely reinventing the surrounding architecture.
Kitchen Design Option B: Think Bigger
Then we asked a different question:
What if we weren’t constrained by the existing pantry at all?
Design Option B removed the pantry area as well as the closet near the garage entry. By changing those walls and relocating the kitchen entrance, we were able to significantly increase the usable kitchen space.
The island rotated to take advantage of the additional width and became an even more prominent centerpiece.
This concept also pushed the cabinetry and appliance design farther into the premium category. Stacked wall cabinetry extended to the ceiling, while a large decorative wood hood became the focal point over a 48-inch professional-style range.
Option B demonstrated just how dramatically the room could change if the homeowners were comfortable modifying more of the surrounding architecture.
Neither concept existed simply to be the “right” or “wrong” answer.
Instead, the two designs allowed the homeowners to compare priorities—storage, openness, appliance size, aesthetics, construction scope and investment—before deciding which ideas were most important to them.
Refining the Final Chesterfield Kitchen Design
Great kitchen designs rarely happen because someone draws one plan and everyone immediately says, “That’s it!”
This project was no exception.
After reviewing the initial concepts, we completed several additional revisions before arriving at the final design.
We continued exploring different configurations for the pantry, island, appliance locations and surrounding cabinetry. With every revision, the design became more closely aligned with how the homeowners wanted their kitchen to look, function and feel.
Once we established the final layout, we moved from Perfect Plan into Perfect Products.
Selecting Cabinets, Countertops, Appliances and Finishes
A successful kitchen remodel isn’t created by choosing each product independently.
Cabinetry affects countertops. Countertops affect backsplash choices. Appliance specifications affect cabinetry, electrical requirements and ventilation. Lighting affects how every finish looks when the kitchen is complete.
That’s why product selection is integrated into our design process.
For this Chesterfield kitchen remodel, the finished project incorporated custom cabinetry designed specifically for the space. The custom cabinet line also required detailed shop drawings so the cabinetry, trim, panels and related components could be manufactured and installed according to the final design.
Quartz countertops provided a durable new work surface, while the updated appliance package created a much more capable cooking environment.
New recessed and task lighting addressed one of the biggest weaknesses of the original kitchen and provided much better illumination throughout the space.
The goal wasn’t simply to choose more expensive products.
It was to choose the right combination of products for the design, budget and way the homeowners intended to use their kitchen.
Creating a Realistic Kitchen Remodeling Budget
Once the design and initial product specifications were established, we moved into the Perfect Price portion of our 4P Process.
Kitchen remodeling budgets can change as the design evolves.
A larger island may require more cabinetry and countertop material. Moving walls can affect electrical, plumbing, HVAC and flooring. Professional appliances can require different electrical circuits, gas connections or ventilation. Cabinet construction and finish choices can also substantially affect the final investment.
Instead of hiding those decisions inside vague allowances, we work to identify them during planning.
Whenever possible, we also develop alternate product or design options that allow homeowners to compare different ways of accomplishing the same overall goal.
Sometimes value engineering means selecting a different product. Other times it means simplifying a cabinet detail, changing an appliance, modifying part of the layout or investing more heavily in one feature while saving somewhere else.
The objective isn’t necessarily to create the cheapest kitchen.
It’s to create a kitchen where the homeowner understands what they’re buying, why it costs what it costs and where their remodeling dollars are going before demolition begins.
Preparing for Construction
Once the design, products, pricing and scope were approved, we moved into Perfect Project.
Before ordering materials, our team returned to the home for a detailed check measure to confirm dimensions and site conditions. It’s our version of “measure twice, cut once”—although kitchen remodeling usually requires considerably more than two measurements.
Because this project included custom cabinetry, detailed shop drawings were also prepared before the cabinets went into production.
Permits were obtained as required, and the construction schedule was coordinated around the cabinetry, countertops, trades, inspections and other materials needed to complete the kitchen.
This planning matters because a successful kitchen remodel isn’t just about how quickly someone can tear out the old cabinets.
It’s about having the right information, products, people and schedule in place to put everything back together correctly.
Construction Begins
With planning complete, it was finally time to turn the renderings into a real kitchen.
Demolition exposed the existing plumbing, electrical, ventilation and framing conditions that needed to be modified for the new design.
New framing created the revised wall and appliance configuration. Plumbing, electrical and mechanical work were completed before drywall went back into place.
The original downdraft cooking ventilation also required attention as the new kitchen transitioned to a different ventilation system.
Because portions of the layout changed while the homeowners retained their existing wood flooring, flooring had to be carefully patched where walls and cabinetry had previously been located.
Once rough work passed inspection, drywall was installed and finished, walls were painted and the room began to resemble the kitchen everyone had spent so much time planning.
Then came one of our favorite milestones: cabinet installation.
The custom cabinetry transformed the room quickly. With cabinets in place, the countertop template could be completed and the quartz countertops fabricated.
From there, the remaining pieces—backsplash, plumbing fixtures, appliances, lighting, trim and finishing details—brought the design together.
How Long Did This Chesterfield Kitchen Remodel Take?
From the first day of demolition through final cleanup, construction on this Chesterfield kitchen remodel took approximately 13 weeks.
Weeks 1–2: Demolition and Rough Construction
We protected the work area, removed the existing kitchen and completed demolition. New walls and framing were constructed as needed, followed by rough plumbing, electrical and mechanical work.
Required rough inspections were completed before walls were closed.
Weeks 3–5: Drywall, Paint and Flooring
After inspections, we installed and finished drywall and began painting.
Because the homeowners retained their existing wood flooring, we also repaired and patched flooring in areas affected by the revised walls and cabinetry.
Week 6: Custom Cabinet Installation
The new custom kitchen cabinetry arrived and installation began.
Once the base cabinets were properly installed, the countertop fabricator could complete the final field measurements and template for the quartz countertops.
Weeks 7–9: Countertop Fabrication and Additional Work
Quartz countertops require final measurements after the cabinetry is installed.
While the countertops were being fabricated, we continued completing miscellaneous work and prepared appliances and other components for final installation.
Week 10: Quartz Countertops
The new quartz countertops were installed, bringing the kitchen another big step closer to completion.
Weeks 11–12: Backsplash, Fixtures and Finish Work
With countertops in place, we installed the tile backsplash and completed plumbing connections, appliance installation, electrical trim-out, recessed lighting and under-cabinet lighting.
Painting, trim and final touch-ups were also completed during this phase.
Week 13: Inspections, Cleanup and Final Walkthrough
During the final week, we completed remaining inspections, addressed punch-list items, removed construction debris and performed our final walkthrough with the homeowners.
Thirteen weeks after demolition began, the kitchen that existed on paper was finally complete.
The Finished Chesterfield Kitchen
The completed kitchen bears little resemblance to the early-2000s space we started with.
What was once a dated kitchen with thermofoil cabinetry, limited lighting, aging appliances and an underutilized layout became a much more intentional space designed around the homeowners.
Custom cabinetry makes better use of the room’s height. The expanded island provides additional workspace and storage. Updated appliances improve cooking functionality, while the new ventilation system eliminates the limitations of the original downdraft configuration.
Quartz countertops, new lighting and carefully coordinated finishes complete the transformation.
But our favorite part isn’t any single cabinet, countertop or appliance.
It’s that the homeowners were able to see and evaluate the possibilities before construction started.
That’s exactly what our 4P Remodeling Process is designed to accomplish.
Planning a Kitchen Remodel in Chesterfield, MO?
Our Kitchen & Bathroom Design Center is located right here in Chesterfield, Missouri, near Spirit of St. Louis Airport.
If you’re considering remodeling a kitchen in Chesterfield, Wildwood, Ballwin, Town and Country or elsewhere in the St. Louis area, you’re welcome to visit the Design Center to explore cabinetry, countertops, tile, hardware and other remodeling products in person.
More importantly, our designers can help you determine what is possible within your existing space.
Your new kitchen doesn’t necessarily have to follow your old kitchen’s footprint. As this project demonstrates, exploring several possibilities early in the process can uncover opportunities you might never have considered.
Wondering What Your Kitchen Remodel Might Cost?
Every kitchen is different, but you don’t have to begin the process completely in the dark.
Use our online Kitchen Remodel Estimator to answer a few questions about your space, scope and product preferences and get a better idea of the investment associated with your project.
Get My Kitchen Remodel Estimate →
Or, if you’re ready to start planning with a designer:
Frequently Asked Questions About Kitchen Remodeling in Chesterfield
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Chesterfield, MO?
A kitchen that keeps the existing footprint and focuses primarily on replacing cabinets and countertops will generally cost considerably less than a project involving custom cabinetry, wall modifications, professional appliances and utility relocation.
The best way to establish a meaningful budget is to define the project scope first and then price products and construction around an actual design rather than relying on a generic square-foot estimate.
How long does a complete kitchen remodel take?
This Chesterfield kitchen required approximately 13 weeks of on-site construction from demolition through final completion.
Planning, design, product selection, ordering and permitting occur before construction begins.
Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen in Chesterfield?
As part of our full-service remodeling process, Thompson Price prepares the necessary project information and coordinates applicable permitting and inspections rather than leaving the homeowner to navigate the process alone.
Can you change the layout of my existing kitchen?
In fact, we encourage homeowners to explore layout possibilities before automatically replacing the old kitchen with a newer version of the same kitchen.
Depending on the home, we may evaluate moving appliances, changing pantry configurations, enlarging islands, adjusting doorways or walls, improving traffic flow and relocating utilities.
The feasibility and cost of those changes become part of the design and planning process.
Can I see different kitchen designs before deciding on a layout?
Yes. Exploring alternatives is an important part of our 4P Remodeling Process.
For this Chesterfield project, we developed two distinctly different initial concepts before refining the design through several additional revisions.
Seeing the alternatives in 3D helps homeowners understand the trade-offs between different layouts before making expensive construction decisions.
Does Thompson Price offer custom kitchen cabinets?
Custom cabinetry can be especially helpful when a kitchen requires unusual dimensions, cabinetry extending to tall ceilings, specialized storage or architectural details that aren't practical with standard cabinet sizes.
Can I visit your Chesterfield showroom before starting my project?
The showroom allows you to see cabinetry, countertops, tile, hardware and other products in person while discussing your project with our design team.
Appointments are recommended so we can make sure a designer is available to spend time discussing your project.
Where does Thompson Price provide kitchen remodeling services?
We also complete kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects at the Lake of the Ozarks.
