Kitchen Remodel Austin 2026: Planning Guide for Homeowners

If you’re dreaming about a kitchen remodel in Austin for 2026, December is the perfect time to start planning. The more decisions you make now—from cabinet style and layout to countertops and paint—the smoother things go once demolition day arrives.

We recently shared a quick reminder in our latest Google Business Profile update about why early planning matters for kitchen projects in Austin. You can see that overview here: Kitchen remodel planning for 2026 (Google Business Profile update). This blog takes that idea and walks through the details step by step so you can feel confident moving forward.

Why Plan Your 2026 Kitchen Remodel Now?

Contractor schedules, material lead times, and your own calendar all play a role in when a kitchen remodel actually happens. By planning in late 2025, homeowners in Austin , Round Rock , Cedar Park , and Leander are able to:

• Lock in preferred timeframes (spring and early summer fill up fast).
• Make design decisions without feeling rushed.
• Spread out costs between design, materials, and construction.
• Schedule around travel, school breaks, or busy seasons at work.

Some items, like custom cabinets or specialty countertops, can carry several weeks of lead time. Starting now means those pieces arrive when your project is ready for them, not the other way around.

Step 1: Clarify Your Scope

Before you start choosing tile and hardware, it helps to decide what kind of project you’re planning. Most 2026 remodels fall into one of three categories:

• Cosmetic refresh: Cabinet painting, new hardware, updated lighting, and possibly a new backsplash while keeping your existing layout.
• Cabinet-focused remodel: A mix of cabinet painting, cabinet refacing, or new cabinetry, often paired with new countertops and backsplash.
• Full renovation: Layout changes, new cabinetry, updated flooring, lighting, and sometimes shifting appliances or plumbing.

If you’re not sure which level fits your home, our earlier article, Should You Replace or Reface Cabinets in Your Austin Kitchen Remodel? , is a helpful place to start when you’re weighing painting, refacing, or full replacement.

Step 2: Set a Realistic Budget Range

Every home and layout is unique, but it’s easier to make decisions when you have a budget framework. Many Austin homeowners planning for 2026 fall into one of these broad ranges:

• Light refresh: Primarily cabinet painting, minor carpentry repairs, and new hardware.
• Mid-range remodel: Combination of cabinet painting or refacing, new countertops, backsplash, and lighting.
• Full remodel: New cabinetry, premium countertops, updated flooring, lighting, and layout modifications.

Materials and scope are what drive cost more than anything, which is why we spend extra time on selections up front. If you want a deeper dive into how materials and design choices affect investment, our post Kitchen Remodel Austin: 2025 Design Trends to Know is a great companion to this planning guide.

Step 3: Think About Layout and Function

A beautiful kitchen that doesn’t function well will always feel a little frustrating. As you plan for 2026, pay attention to how you currently use your space:

• Are you constantly walking around the island to get from sink to fridge?
• Do you never use a built-in desk or awkward cabinet run?
• Is there enough landing space around your range and sink?

Sometimes small layout tweaks—like converting cabinets to deep drawers, widening an island, or removing a rarely-used cabinet section—have a big impact without requiring a full reconfiguration.

Step 4: Plan Cabinets, Countertops, and Backsplash Together

Cabinet color and style set the tone for the entire kitchen, but they look their best when coordinated with countertops and backsplash. When we design 2026 projects, we like to review these pieces as a group so the room feels cohesive:

• Cabinet finish: Painted, refaced with new doors, or fully new cabinetry.
• Countertops: Quartz, granite, or quartzite depending on the look and maintenance level you want.
• Backsplash: Classic subway, specialty tile, or full-height slab to highlight your range wall.

By planning these elements at the same time, you avoid mismatched undertones and last-minute compromises after materials are ordered.

Step 5: Create a Timeline for Your 2026 Kitchen Remodel

Here’s a simple month-by-month outline many homeowners follow when planning a kitchen remodel for the coming year:

• December–January: Gather ideas, define scope, and schedule consultations. Talk through cabinet options, layout ideas, and ballpark budget.
• February: Finalize design details, approve proposals, and place orders for cabinets, countertops, and tile.
• March–May: Typical window for demolition and installation. Actual timing depends on the scope of your project and our schedule.
• Summer and beyond: Enjoy your finished kitchen and tackle any smaller follow-up items.

The exact dates may shift, but this framework gives you enough room for thoughtful decisions without delaying your project into the following year.

How Austin Painting & Cabinets Helps You Plan

Remodeling can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to make every decision alone. Our goal is to simplify the process and guide you through each step. During a typical kitchen remodel, our team can help with:

• Clarifying whether cabinet painting, refacing, or new cabinets make the most sense.
• Choosing cabinet colors and door styles that fit your home and long-term plans.
• Selecting countertops, backsplash, and paint colors that work together.
• Coordinating schedule, trade partners, and communication so you always know what’s next.

You can learn more about how we approach kitchen projects on our kitchen remodeling services page , including how we combine cabinet work, countertops, backsplash, and interior painting into one cohesive plan.

Ready to Start Planning Your 2026 Kitchen Remodel in Austin?

If a new kitchen is on your list for 2026, a little planning now will make the entire process smoother and less stressful. Whether you’re leaning toward a light refresh or a full renovation, we’re here to help you understand options, timelines, and what will work best for your home.

Schedule a complimentary consultation to talk through your goals, rough budget, and ideal timing. Together, we’ll map out a plan so your 2026 kitchen remodel feels organized, realistic, and exciting.

Schedule your complimentary kitchen remodel consultation today.