Kitchen Design and Remodeling in Chicago

Our full-service, design-build process transforms outdated Chicago & North Shore kitchens into refined, highly functional spaces where layout, cabinetry, construction, and finishing details are seamlessly integrated and meticulously managed from start to finish.

A Better Way to Design and Remodel Your Kitchen in Chicagoland

One team. One process. Design through construction, fully managed.

Our kitchen remodeling services in Chicago and the North Shore include layout planning, cabinetry design, materials and finish selection, appliance integration, lighting design, and full construction management. Each element is developed together to ensure a cohesive, functional kitchen that aligns with how you live.

What Our Clients Experience

  • A structured process with one team guiding everything from concept through construction
  • Handpicked selections and clear recommendations, so choosing feels easy, not exhausting
  • 3D visualizations before construction for confident decisions
  • Clear scope and documentation before construction begins, minimizing surprises and time under construction
  • Alignment between decisions and your investment level
  • A remodeled kitchen that functions as well as it looks, built around your daily routines

Who We Are

  • A Chicago + North Shore design-build firm established in 2010 
  • Known for communication-first, client-centered process
  • 5/5 rating across review sites from past clients
  • Consistent winner of the Houzz Best Of awards in both the Design and Service categories (including 2026)
  • Featured on HGTV, Better Homes & Gardens, Martha Stewart, and others

Layout & Space Planning

Better flow, smarter storage, and a kitchen layout designed around how you actually use your space. We plan every zone, from mealprep to cleanup, to improve circulation and maximize every inch.

Materials & Finishes

Curated kitchen materials and finishes that balance durability, beauty, and cohesion, so every element works together and stands up to everyday cooking, gathering & eating.

Lighting & Electrical

Lighting design that combine task, ambient, and accent lighting, enhancing how your kitchen looks and how it functions throughout the day.

 

Permits, HOAs & Project Management

A single, accountable team managing permits, HOA compliance, and trades licensing and insurance, from start to finish, so the process stays clear and low-stress.

Cabinetry & Storage

Kitchen cabinetry and built-ins designed for both performance and aesthetics, integrating storage, seating and appliances, while staying true to the architectural details of the home.

Construction & Installation

Well-planned, well-managed construction management. Timelines, materials, and trades are aligned before work begins to keep every part of the project aligned and streamlined.

Appliance Integration

We coordinate appliance selection and placement early, aligning performance needs with layout, cabinetry, and overall design intent.

Furnishings & Styling

Finishing touches that complete the kitchen, from banquette seating and above-sink window treatments, to countertop accessories that elevate the space and connect the kitchen to the rest of your home.

Layout & Space Planning

Better flow, smarter storage, and a layout built around how you actually use your kitchen. Every inch is considered to maximize form & function.

Custom Cabinetry & Storage

Fully designed cabinetry with smart, hidden storage solutions and built-ins.

Materials & Finishes

Cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring and hardware — curated and cohesive across the home.

Construction & Installation

Demolition through finish work — managed on schedule, on budget, and on spec.

Lighting, Electrical & Plumbing

Layered lighting, intentional outlet placement, smart features, and full trade coordination.

Appliances & Integration

Appliance selection and seamless integration into your layout and cabinetry.

Permits, HOAs & Project Management

All permit & HOA requirements handled. All trade licensing and insurance verified. One point of contact throughout.

Final Walkthrough & Closeout

Support through project completion, including punch list walkthroughs, final detailing, furniture & accessory selection.

Featured Chicago Kitchen Projects

Luxury transitional kitchen in Streeterville with single-wall layout, prep island seating, vertical blue-gray tile backsplash and contrasting counters

Streeterville Kitchen Remodel

This kitchen design-build project in the heart of downtown Chicago was part of a larger whole condo renovation. It features warm tones, custom millwork throughout the home, and a cohesive aesthetic that carries through to every room of the high rise.

Contemporary kitchen with sleek cabinetry, chevron tile backsplash, floating shelves, and brass fixtures. Modern minimalist design with neutral tones.

Evanston Kitchen Design

This kitchen renovation project was part of a larger remodel at a residence right off of Gross Point Road on the North Shore.  It features strong contrast between finishes, and a chevron backsplash pattern that creates visual interest, despite having limited color. 

Minimalistic kitchen sink

Edgewater Kitchen Renovation

This kitchen project on the north side of Chicago features a mosaic backsplash that extends behind cabinetry and into an open shelving corner of the kitchen. The shelves, combined with the rich wood grain of the kitchen island, contribute to a timeless look for this old home.

We are so pleased with the transformation of our condo. The team’s quality of work is exemplary, and their attention to detail is spot on.  Every aspect of the project, from the kitchen and bathrooms to the hardwood floors, was executed with precision and care. Communication throughout the process was very good—Erica and her team were consistently responsive, addressing questions and concerns promptly.

Jeanne

Gold Coast

Amazing team to work with! So many highlights: easy / fun to work with and great collaborators (awesome ideas and equally adept at absorbing our ideas), utmost professionals, excellent taste/aesthetics, ability to own process end to end and manage GC and all involved players, strong network, and most importantly…we absolutely love our kitchen and bar area.

Ashley

Lakeview

We are absolutely thrilled with the transformation of our home, thanks to Lugbill Designs thoughtful design and exceptional project coordination. From day one, Erica understood how central cooking and hosting are in our daily life. She translated that into a kitchen and living space that are not only beautiful, but deeply practical and built to last.

Eduardo

Rogers Park

Our Kitchen Design & Remodeling Process

Our kitchen remodeling process is designed to bring clarity and alignment from the earliest concepts through construction and final installation.

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Consultation

Our process begins with a complimentary in-home consultation. This kitchen consultation is an intentional process designed to understand how you live and what your kitchen needs to become. Together, we’ll define priorities, align on goals, and explore solutions that balance beauty and function within your investment range. During this visit, we gather the details needed to deliver clear, upfront kitchen remodel cost guidance. With clarity established from the start, we can move forward with purpose and confidence.

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Design

With a clear understanding of your aesthetic & everyday needs, we craft a comprehensive kitchen design plan, layering layout and material options that balance beauty, function, and investment. Our tech-forward approach allows clients to visualize their spaces before final decisions are made, ensuring every detail is perfect before moving onto the renovation phase.

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Planning

Behind every successful kitchen remodel are hundreds of coordinated decisions. We manage them all, developing the scope of work, technical drawings, securing trusted labor bids, and carefully ordering, inspecting, and preparing materials, so the process is streamlined and clear from start to finish.

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Construction

With everyone aligned, it’s time to bring the vision to life. The thoughtful groundwork from earlier stages sets the stage for a smooth, well-orchestrated kitchen renovation. Throughout the process, the LD team stays closely connected with regular calls, e-mails, texts, and on-site check-ins, to ensure everything stays on track. Weekly updates keep clients informed and confident, so every step feels organized, transparent, and stress-free.

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Installation

While construction wraps, we coordinate and oversee the final installation of furnishings and finishing details, including rugs, window treatments, artwork, and accessories. The result is an elevated kitchen, fully realized and ready to be lived in.

Erica-Lugbill-Interior-Designer

The best kitchen designers don’t just elevate the outcome. They simplify and streamline the path to get there.”

Erica Lugbill Design

Your Dream Kitchen, Elevated, and Brought to Life

Who We Serve

Kitchen Design-Build in Chicago and the North Shore, and Everything In- Between

We provide kitchen design and remodeling in Chicago and throughout the North Shore, including Evanston, Winnetka, Wilmette, and surrounding communities.

Chicago Kitchen Service Area

Here, kitchen remodeling often involves working within existing footprints, navigating condo HOA requirements, and a more intense focus on maximizing every square inch in tighter layouts. 

In Chicago, we serve:

The Loop, South Loop, Gold Coast, River North, Streeterville, Old Town, West Loop, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, Roscoe Village, North Center, Lincoln Square, Irving Park, Ravenswood, Andersonville, Uptown, Buena Park, Edgewater, Rogers Park, West Ridge

North Shore Communities

Here, projects often include larger-scale renovations, expanded layouts, and deeper kitchen integration with adjacent living spaces.

On the North Shore, we serve:

Evanston, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Northfield, Winnetka, Glenview, Glencoe, Northbrook, Highland Park, Highwood, Deerfield, Riverwoods, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff

We primarily take on kitchen remodeling projects in these two service areas. However, if your project is a good fit for us, we want to hear from you even if you are outside of this service area.  For example, we occasionally do work in Southwest Michigan, in lakeside communities like New Buffalo and Union Pier.

Get in touch to confirm if our kitchen design firm is a good fit for your renovation.

Lugbill Designs Kitchen Remodeling Service Area

What’s Included in a Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen remodeling projects typically include layout changes, cabinetry, countertops, appliances, lighting, plumbing, flooring, and finishing details. Our team manages each of these components as part of a fully integrated design-build process.

Given kitchen renovation involves multiple interdependent elements, layout, cabinetry, appliances, and construction, each decision our firm makes is developed in coordination with the others. This integrated approach helps prevent misalignment between design and execution, keeps the project moving efficiently, and ensures the finished kitchen feels cohesive, functional, and aligned with your home as a whole.

Lugbill Designs Kitchen Remodeling Service Area

FAQ

Common Questions About Kitchen Remodeling In Chicago

What’s the benefit of using a design-build firm instead of hiring separate contractors and designers?

A design-build approach streamlines kitchen remodeling by keeping design, construction, and project management under one team and one coordinated process.

Instead of managing separate relationships between a designer, architect, and contractors, you work with a single team responsible for the entire project.This approach helps ensure that design decisions are informed by construction realities from the start.

Budgets, materials, and timelines are considered early in the process, reducing costly revisions and miscommunication later on.

The result is a more streamlined experience for clients, clearer accountability, and a finished home where the design vision is carried through to the final installation.

What types of kitchen remodel projects do you take on?

We specialize in full-service kitchen design and remodeling, including complete renovations, layout reconfigurations, and projects that integrate the kitchen with adjacent living spaces. Many of our projects also extend into additional areas of the home when needed for a cohesive overall design.

Many of our projects combine multiple elements — architectural changes, custom cabinetry, material selections, and furnishings — to create a cohesive and thoughtfully designed home. Oftentimes, clients come to us with a wish list of projects, and we help prioritize in phases, based on priorities and budget.

Do you handle HOAs, permits and inspections?

Yes. Most kitchen remodeling projects in Chicago require permits, particularly when electrical, plumbing, or layout changes are involved. We manage all permitting, inspections, and HOA coordination as part of our fully managed kitchen renovation process, to ensure your remodel stays on schedule, code-compliant, and executed to a highest standard.

How long does a full kitchen remodel take?

Most kitchen remodeling projects take approximately 4-8 weeks of construction, depending on the scope of work. Projects involving layout changes, structural updates, or custom elements may take longer, and we outline a clear timeline before construction begins.

Prior to kitchen construction, expect design and pre-construction planning & sourcing to take 1-2 months.

Timelines vary based on the scope of the project. We create clear timelines upfront so you know what to expect.  We also ensure we’re doing everything possible to minimize time under construction.

Can I live in my home during a kitchen remodel?

In many cases, yes, but it depends on the scope of the project. Kitchen remodeling can disrupt daily routines, especially when plumbing, appliances, and cabinetry are removed. We help clients plan ahead and understand what to expect so the process feels manageable.

Do I need to have a clear vision or plan before starting a project with you?

No. Most clients come to us with general goals or inspiration, not a fully defined plan. Part of our role is to guide you through layout options, material selections, and design decisions so your kitchen comes together in a way that feels cohesive and aligned with how you live.

Whether you arrive with a detailed concept or just a starting point, our flexible design process is built to guide you toward a clear and confident direction.

How early should we get in touch?

It’s best to reach out several months before you’d like construction to begin. Kitchen remodeling projects involve design development, selections, permitting, and scheduling, so starting early allows for a more thoughtful and well-organized process.

Bringing a design-build team into the conversation early allows time to think through layout changes, design revisions, renovation scope, permitting requirements, and overall project planning before construction begins.

Also note that we’re often booked out several months. It never hurts to reach out early on, so we can get you a rough estimate to execute on when the time is right.

 

How much does a full kitchen renovation cost?

Most full-service kitchen remodeling projects start around $70,000, without appliances like the refrigerator, range, oven, or dishwashers.

Projects involving significant layout changes, custom cabinetry, and higher-end finishes typically exceed $100,000.

Final costs varying based on layout changes, cabinetry, appliances, and overall scope. We guide you through decisions early in the process so your design aligns with your investment level.

We provide customized estimates after an initial consultation to ensure accurate pricing for your specific project, prior to an agreement to work together.

Can you help with projects outside of the kitchen?

Yes. While many clients begin with a kitchen remodel, we often design and renovate adjacent spaces or additional rooms to create a cohesive overall home. Because our team handles both design and construction, we can scale the project to match your goals, even if that means helping you prioritize your whole-home wishlist in order to do things in phases.

From paint color updates to bathroom remodeling done in tandem with the kitchen, we can help.

What adds the most value in a kitchen remodel?

Layout improvements, high-quality cabinetry, and thoughtful lighting (eg. Under-cabinet LEDs) tend to have the greatest impact. A well-designed kitchen that functions efficiently and feels cohesive with the rest of the home typically delivers the strongest long-term value.