The holiday season is just around the corner, bringing with it the joy of festive gatherings, shared meals, and a house full of loved ones. As you prepare to host family and friends, your home’s strengths and weaknesses will be on full display. This year, Kitchen Design Gallery is encouraging you to use this bustling time not just for celebration, but for observation.
The holidays offer a unique, real-world stress test for your kitchen and bathrooms. By paying close attention to how your home functions under pressure, you can gather valuable insights that will pave the way for a successful post-holiday remodel. Starting the planning process now means you can step into the new year with a clear vision and a solid plan, ready to build the space you’ve always wanted.
Turn Holiday Hosting into Homework
Think of your upcoming holiday parties as a live-action blueprint for your future remodel. As you cook, entertain, and clean up, keep a small notebook or a note on your phone handy. Every frustration and moment of ease is a clue to designing a more functional and beautiful home.
In the Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of holiday festivities. As you navigate the chaos of preparing a large meal, ask yourself some key questions:
- Is there enough counter space? Note where you constantly wish you had more room to chop vegetables, set down hot pans, or lay out a buffet-style spread.
- How is the workflow? Do you find yourself bumping into guests or family members while moving between the sink, stove, and refrigerator? This classic “work triangle” might need a complete rethink.
- Is your storage sufficient? Are you struggling to find a place for that large roasting pan or your stand mixer? Take note of overflowing cabinets and drawers that could be better organized with custom solutions.
- Does the layout encourage gathering? If you want guests to mingle in the kitchen without getting in the way, consider how an island with seating or a peninsula could improve the social dynamic.
In the Bathroom
Guest bathrooms and powder rooms also see a significant increase in traffic during the holidays. These spaces need to be both welcoming and efficient.
- Is there a traffic jam? If you have a single guest bathroom, do you notice a line forming outside the door? It might be time to consider adding a small powder room or reconfiguring a Jack-and-Jill bathroom.
- How does it feel? Is the lighting dim and unflattering? Is the vanity cluttered due to a lack of storage? Small changes to finishes and fixtures can make a huge difference in how a bathroom feels to you and your guests.
- Is it accessible? Consider older relatives or guests with mobility challenges. A walk-in shower, grab bars, or a wider doorway could make your home more comfortable for everyone.
By the time the last guest leaves, you won’t just have memories; you’ll have a detailed list of what you love about your home and what you’re ready to change.
Begin Your Research and Get Inspired
With your holiday observation notes in hand, the quiet weeks leading up to the new year are the perfect time to turn your ideas into a tangible vision. This is the fun part: dreaming about the details that will define your new space. Start exploring materials, styles, and finishes to discover what truly excites you.
Nothing compares to seeing and touching these materials in person. We invite you to visit the Kitchen Design Gallery showroom. Here, you can walk through dozens of kitchen and bathroom vignettes to experience different layouts and styles firsthand. Our showroom features thousands of product samples, allowing you to mix and match countertops, cabinets, and tiles to find the perfect combination for your home. Our expert designers are on hand to answer your questions and help you navigate the options.
Plan Now to Build After the Holidays
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is waiting until January to start planning their remodel. The design, selection, and ordering process takes time. By starting before 2026, you can get ahead of the new year rush and ensure your project is ready for construction right after the holidays.
Beginning the process now gives you several key advantages:
- A Head Start: Finalizing your design and material selections before the new year means we can place orders and schedule our craftsmen. This puts you at the front of the line, ready for demolition and construction to begin as soon as your holiday decorations are packed away.
- A More Relaxed Process: Avoid the pressure of making rushed decisions. Giving yourself a few extra weeks to plan allows for thoughtful consideration of every detail, ensuring the final result is exactly what you envisioned.
- Lock in Your Team: The best contractors and designers are often booked months in advance. By engaging with Kitchen Design Gallery now, you secure a dedicated team committed to bringing your project to life on your desired timeline.
Let’s start the conversation. Bring your ideas, your holiday notes, and your inspiration to our showroom. Together, we can design a kitchen or bathroom that isn’t just beautiful but is perfectly tailored to your lifestyle. Start planning today, and make 2026 the year your dream home becomes a reality.