If you're looking to remodel your home, it makes sense to ensure the heart of it—the kitchen—looks as good as it possibly can. From finding the right combination of lighting to ensuring you have plenty of seating and storage, it's important to identify the must-have kitchen design ideas on your list before getting down to the details. Budget is also a major consideration; researching what fits your price range will help you select the right materials and styles.

Once the basics and budget are covered, you can start infusing personality into the space, from glossy backsplashes in playful designs to eye-catching drawer handles and sink faucets in the perfect metallic finish. Ahead, our best ideas for ensuring your kitchen remodel is a stylish success.

1. Add a Coffee Bar

A growing trend we're seeing is the incorporation of your very own coffee bar. This is the perfect addition for those who deeply enjoy the ritual of that morning cup of coffee—and for those who want to inspire themselves to stay home instead of swinging through the drive through. A coffee bar is something you build out in a nook or area that's adjacent to your kitchen, or you can work within the framework of your existing space. Fill your coffee bar with a high-quality coffee maker or barista system, all the coffee fixings, and of course your favorite mugs.

2. Create Clever Storage

You can never go wrong with added storage. "There are so many new and clever kitchen storage ideas that our clients love to utilize," says Amanda Reynal, interior designer and founder of Amanda Reynal Interiors. "From keeping plates in large drawers at a lower level to hidden coffee bars behind doors, there are many ways to maximize space." She adds that even in the areas behind doors, pull-outs can help with accessibility and still allow everything to be hidden.

3. Elevate Your Hardware

Putting an extra emphasis on the details is a way to create a more intentional-feeling space. For example, "hardware and 'faucetry' can elevate a kitchen to the next level," Reynal says. "Warm-toned metals such as brass have become more common, and there's also a wonderful selection of shapes and brushed finishes to choose from." From matte black to champagne bronze, check out the selection at your local plumbing and hardware vendor to see what's available, Reynal recommends.

4. Incorporate a Seating Nook

Whether you're working with a small kitchen space or you want to create another vignette to meet your family's dining needs, consider building out a high-functioning seating nook. You can build a corner seating fixture into the existing space or simply add a movable corner sectional. From there, a round table that fits snugly into the area will provide you with a new dining area.

5. Turn Up the Lighting

Reynal is big on lighting, and she recommends having a mix of styles within your space. "Typically, we light the island with pendants or multi-light chandeliers," she says. "Surface-mounted lights that are flush or semi-flush help light the ceiling as well as the area below it, which makes a room feel cheerful and bright." She also suggests using recessed lights, especially on a dimmer, if the kitchen is used for dining and entertaining. Under-cabinet lighting is also a must.

6. Prioritize Form and Function

This is especially important when it comes to the more utilitarian components of your kitchen, including your stove hood. We love how this sleek white stove hood holds its own above a subway tile backsplash but doesn't compete with the kitchen's more interesting features, like the dark island and exposed brick beam.

7. Add Personality with a Backsplash

Creative backsplashes are a great way to add an extra pop of personality to your space, whether you prefer a crisp, clean look made with quartz or something more adventurous, like a colorful glass tile. "I often choose a backsplash in a marble mosaic pattern to add interest and sophistication to a simpler kitchen," says Reynal.

8. Opt for Quartz Countertops

It's no secret that white marble is a sought-after kitchen stone, but it's also hard to maintain. Reynal has found a similar alternative in quartz.

While Reynal says that a natural stone countertop adds a living original element to the kitchen, engineered quartz options are a durable and attractive alternative. "This product can withstand high heat and doesn't scratch or stain easily, making it an extremely practical workhorse option," she says.

If you want the best of both, Reynal suggests using quartz on the perimeter countertops and a natural stone on the island in a coordinating or contrasting color.

9. Think About Flow

Are you altering your existing space to accommodate an open floor plan? If so, think about how you want your new kitchen to function. If your kitchen is where your family congregates and eats, then a large kitchen island with seating is necessary. On the other hand, if you want your dining space to be regularly utilized, you should think twice before spending time and money on a kitchen eatery.

Another major consideration is the layout of both your dining room and kitchen. The flow here should feel complementary and connected versus disjointed and incongruous.

10. Choose Panel-Ready Appliances

Another game changer in the kitchen is panel-ready appliances, which are available through most appliance companies these days. "Having an integrated look with cabinets and appliances all blending together makes a kitchen feel more like a room," says Reynal. "Ranges also come in many finishes and, in some cases, bright colors, which can add an original focal point to the room."