Your kitchen should be the heart of your home – not that room you avoid because the layout drives you crazy. At BBCDC Construction & General Contractors, we get it. Whether you're working with a narrow galley kitchen in a Capitol Hill rowhouse or blessed with space in a Georgetown colonial, we know how to make DC kitchens work better and look amazing.

We bring building science smarts and real craftsmanship to every kitchen project in the District. Because let's face it – a beautiful kitchen that doesn't function well is just an expensive headache.

Understanding Your Kitchen's Potential

Every DC kitchen has a story. Maybe yours is crammed into a Victorian rowhouse in Dupont Circle, or maybe it's hiding in the lower level of a Cleveland Park home. Either way, we start by really getting to know your space – what works, what doesn't, and what drives you absolutely nuts every single day.

Those galley kitchens in historic rowhouses? They need more than just new cabinets. We look for ways to steal light from adjacent rooms, find storage in places you didn't know existed, and create a layout that doesn't make you feel like you're working in a hallway. And for those English basement kitchens all over Shaw and Columbia Heights – we've got tricks to make them feel bright and welcoming, not dark and dungeon-like.

Want to open things up? Creating open-concept spaces in old houses takes know-how. Our interior renovations team makes sure any walls we remove aren't holding up your house (kind of important!) while getting you that flowing space that actually works for how people live today.

The Kitchen Design Process

First things first – we need to know how you really use your kitchen. Are you the type who's making homemade pasta on Sundays? Do you throw big dinner parties where everyone ends up in the kitchen anyway? Or maybe you just need a spot where the kids can do homework while you're trying to get dinner on the table?

We use 3D modeling so you can actually see your new kitchen before we tear anything out. This is huge when you're dealing with DC's quirky dimensions where standard cabinets fit about as well as... well, they don't fit. You'll see exactly how everything comes together – no surprises, no "I thought it would look different."

Choosing materials in DC isn't just about what looks pretty. Our summers are sticky, winters are all over the place, and materials that work great in Arizona might fail here. We'll steer you toward finishes that can handle real life – because that gorgeous countertop won't look so great with permanent coffee stains.

Timeline-wise, DC permits can be... unpredictable. Depends on your neighborhood's historic status, what we're doing, phase of the moon (kidding, sort of). We handle all the DCRA paperwork and know how to keep things moving. Still takes time though – better to know that upfront.

Cabinet Solutions for Every Kitchen

Cabinets make or break a kitchen, especially in DC where every inch counts. Off-the-shelf cabinets in a DC kitchen? Good luck with that. Custom solutions let us use every bit of space – from floor to ceiling storage in tight spots to clever corner cabinets that actually let you reach your stuff.

In those compact Adams Morgan and U Street kitchens, we get creative. Pull-out pantries that fit in skinny spaces, drawer organizers that make sense, interiors that maximize every cubic inch. We might run upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling with crown molding that matches your original trim – extra storage plus it looks like it belongs.

Cabinet style should match your home's vibe. Federal-style rowhouse? Maybe painted cabinets with raised panels and classic hardware. Modern Navy Yard condo? Let's talk sleek, handleless designs with LED lighting built right in. Our finish carpentry crew makes sure every detail is perfect – because sloppy cabinet work will bug you every single day.

Hardware matters more than you'd think. Good hardware makes cabinets work better and last longer. Soft-close everything is pretty much standard now – your neighbors will thank you, especially in those open floor plans where kitchen sounds carry everywhere.

Countertops and Work Surfaces

Your countertops take a beating every day, so picking the right material is crucial. Quartz is huge right now in DC, and for good reason – looks great, practically indestructible, doesn't need babying. Perfect for busy folks who want a nice kitchen but don't want to think about it constantly.

Natural stone like granite or marble? Beautiful, unique patterns, but they need more TLC. And with DC's water (which can be pretty hard on certain stones), you've got to choose carefully. We'll walk you through the real-world pros and cons based on how you actually cook and live.

Edge profiles and details turn a functional counter into something special. Waterfall edges on islands are having a moment. Traditional ogee edges work great in historic homes. We make sure these details play nice with your cabinets and overall design – it's all got to work together.

Islands and peninsulas are game-changers for workspace and hanging out. In rowhouses where full islands won't fit, peninsulas give you extra counter space and breakfast bar seating without blocking traffic. Bigger kitchens? Islands become command central – prep sink, device charging, homework spot, party central. Whatever you need.

Kitchen Flooring That Performs

Kitchen floors have a tough job – spills, drops, endless foot traffic, and they still need to look good. In older DC houses, we often find floors that aren't even close to level. We fix that foundation stuff first, because new flooring on a wonky subfloor is just asking for problems.

Water-resistant flooring has come a long way from ugly vinyl. Now you've got luxury vinyl plank that looks just like hardwood, porcelain tiles that could pass for marble, engineered hardwood with tough finishes. We help you pick flooring that gives you the look you want with the performance your kitchen needs.

Where kitchen meets living room in open floor plans, transitions matter. We create smooth transitions that protect floor edges and look intentional, not like an afterthought.

Backsplashes and Wall Treatments

Backsplashes do double duty – protecting walls from spaghetti sauce explosions while looking good. Subway tile is classic for a reason – works everywhere from Georgetown federals to modern condos. But we're seeing lots of people go bigger – large format tiles, natural stone, even metal backsplashes for something different.

Full-height backsplashes that go all the way up to the cabinets or ceiling make a statement and are super practical. Especially behind the stove and in corners where grease likes to collect. We seal everything properly so it stays looking good and cleans up easy.

Getting the color balance right between backsplash, cabinets, and counters takes an eye. We help you figure out whether you want everything to blend quietly or make a bold statement. Smaller kitchens usually benefit from lighter colors that bounce light around, while bigger spaces can handle drama.

Appliances and Kitchen Systems

Professional-grade appliances are popular with DC's serious home cooks, but they need planning. Your electrical panel might need upgrading, ventilation has to actually work, and everything needs to fit without making the kitchen feel cramped.

Small kitchens can still have great appliances. Counter-depth fridges keep things streamlined, drawer dishwashers fit where regular ones won't, combo microwave-convection ovens do double duty. We help you figure out what features really matter versus what's just nice to have.

Ventilation is tricky in rowhouses where you can't always vent outside. We design solutions that actually remove cooking smells and moisture while working within condo rules or historic requirements. Sometimes that's a powerful recirculating system, sometimes it's creative venting that doesn't mess up your home's exterior.

Plumbing updates often come along for the ride, especially in older places with original pipes. New supply lines, proper shut-offs, faucets that look good and save water – we coordinate all of it. Those pull-down spray faucets and touchless options aren't just fancy, they make cooking easier and cleanup faster.

Lighting Your Kitchen

Good kitchen lighting isn't one big ceiling fixture and calling it done. You need layers – general lighting to see, task lighting to work, accent lighting for ambiance. We usually start with recessed lights or flush mounts that give overall light without taking up visual space (important with DC's lower ceilings).

Under-cabinet lighting is a must for food prep. LED strips or pucks kill the shadows on your counters and look great dimmed for evening. We hide all the transformers and wiring so you just see nice, even light.

Pendants over islands and peninsulas do double duty – task lighting plus style points. Getting the scale right matters. Too big and they overwhelm, too small and they look silly. And if you've got amazing city views? We make sure your lighting enhances them, not competes.

Kitchen Islands and Peninsulas

Custom islands transform how kitchens work. Extra prep space, storage for days, spots for people to gather – we design islands that fit your kitchen's proportions and your specific needs. Wine storage, microwave drawer, built-in cutting board – whatever makes your life easier.

Getting the seating right takes planning. Proper overhangs for different stool heights, knee space that works for kids and adults, positioning so people can chat without being in the cook's way. It's trickier than it looks.

Power and USB outlets are huge now that kitchens are also charging stations and homework central. We put outlets where you need them but they don't mess up the clean lines – pop-ups in islands, hidden strips along the backsplash. Function meets form.

Specialty Kitchen Features

Today's kitchens often include special features that match how you live. Coffee stations with their own water lines and bean storage are big with DC's caffeine addicts. We design these to work like mini cafes while blending with your cabinets.

Wine storage ranges from simple racks to full-on temperature-controlled units. For serious collectors, we can create displays that show off your bottles while keeping them at the right temp and humidity. Even a basic wine fridge built into the island makes a difference.

Pantry organization maximizes whatever space you've got. Walk-in pantries get the full treatment with custom shelving and drawers. Reach-in pantries benefit from pull-outs and adjustable shelves so nothing gets lost in the back. No pantry? We can work pantry storage into your main cabinets with special interior fittings that keep everything organized.

The BBCDC Kitchen Remodeling Process

Our process keeps your project running smooth from start to finish. We plan everything out front – anticipating problems, setting realistic timelines, keeping surprises to a minimum. During construction, we keep you in the loop without overwhelming you with every tiny detail.

Living through a kitchen renovation isn't fun, but we make it as painless as possible. We'll help set up a temporary kitchen if we can, protect the rest of your house from dust, and work around your schedule as much as possible. Our crews show up when they say they will, work efficiently, and clean up at the end of each day.

Quality control happens constantly, not just at the end. Our project managers check work at every stage, catching issues before they become problems. This attention to detail during construction means your finished kitchen doesn't just look great on day one – it keeps looking great.

Transform Your Kitchen Today

Ready to love your kitchen again? Whether you're updating a historic Woodley Park gem or bringing a Capitol Hill rowhouse kitchen into this century, BBCDC Construction & General Contractors brings the skills, experience, and attention to detail that makes the difference between okay and amazing.

Call BBCDC Construction & General Contractors at (202) 350-0344 to schedule your kitchen consultation. Let's talk about turning that kitchen that drives you crazy into the kitchen you've always wanted. From design through installation, we're your partner for kitchen remodeling throughout DC and the whole DMV region.