Many dated kitchens in Elizabethtown, PA do not need walls moved to work better. They need the space inside the walls planned better. That is where custom kitchen cabinets and countertops earn their keep. In a full kitchen remodel, the cabinet profiles, the storage inside them, the island and the countertops are designed as one plan, together with the layout, lighting and flooring, so the same room holds more and works harder every day.
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Elizabethtown has spent 20+ years in Lancaster County, working in historic colonials, farmhouses, contemporary suburban houses and Mount Joy townhomes. Below, we walk through two kitchens on our Gallery page where the space was replanned and the kitchen changed completely.
Why Custom Kitchen Cabinets and Countertops Are Planned Together
Cabinets decide where the counters, sink and island go, and the countertop ties the cabinet colors and finishes together. When both are designed at the same time, drawers can be sized for what you actually store, prep space can land where you actually work, and the countertop can finish the look instead of fighting it. That is the difference between a remodel and a replacement.
In practice, that means the design conversation covers more than door styles. We look at how you cook, where things pile up, which cabinets you never open because they are hard to reach, and how many people use the kitchen at once. The answers shape the layout inside your existing walls, the lighting over the counters and the flooring that runs underneath it all.
Start With the Storage Inside the Cabinets
Good kitchen storage is planned before anyone picks a door color. Make a quick list of what lives on your counters today and what you dig for in the back of a corner cabinet. Those items tell a designer where you need deep drawers, pull-outs, dividers and tall pantry space.
Built-in storage is one of the most common choices in a remodel. According to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, which surveyed 1,780 homeowners, 94% of renovating homeowners build specialty storage features into their cabinets, including drawers for cookie sheets or trays (55%), spice storage (41%) and cutlery organizers (38%).
If you plan to stay in your home for years, our post on designing a kitchen that ages gracefully covers storage that stays easy to reach as your needs change.
An Elizabethtown Kitchen: From a 1986 Layout to an Organizer’s Dream
Before: Our Elizabethtown homeowners had an original 1986 kitchen with dated, heavy-grained cabinetry and a cramped workspace.
The key design move: We reconfigured the layout for maximum storage and replaced the old cabinetry with sleek, minimalist profiles.
What was built: The new kitchen pairs that minimalist cabinetry with a deep double sink, polished fixtures and artisan backsplash tile. The finished space also supports a work-from-home lifestyle.
This is what storage-first planning looks like: the layout was reworked so the kitchen holds more and works harder. If that clean, simple look appeals to you, take a look at the warm minimalist kitchen for more ideas on keeping a minimalist kitchen comfortable.
Two-Tone Kitchen Cabinets and Quartz Countertops Built for Hosting
Before: This homeowner started with a dated all-white kitchen.
The key design move: We reimagined the existing footprint around one goal: hosting dinner parties.
What was built: A two-tone design with Showplace sage green lower cabinets and crisp white uppers, finished with Corian Quartz countertops and a patterned tile backsplash. The island was refined for buffet-style service, and a dedicated beverage bar with custom under-cabinet lighting completes the plan.
Two-tone kitchen cabinets work well here because the colors do a job. The green lowers ground the room, the white uppers keep it bright, and the quartz countertops tie both together. None of it required a bigger room, only a footprint planned around how the homeowner hosts.
What Homeowners Say About Working With Our Team
Linda B. of Elizabethtown, PA called the experience 5 stars, from the first contact to the final walk-through, and said everyone who came into their home to work on the kitchen held a high standard of craftsmanship. In Linda’s words, “Frank and the whole team were top-notch professionals.”
Theresa H. of Elizabethtown, PA said the team did a fabulous job on their kitchen and was wonderful to work with on the design from beginning to end. “Their craftsmanship is excellent.”
Jim W. was very happy with the work on their kitchen and baths: “Frank kept us informed throughout the process and was great to work with.” Jim also noted that Dee stayed late the night before Thanksgiving to make sure they would have use of their sink.
Our team holds a 4.8 Google Rating and combines small-town values with the resources of a national leader. You can read more about our Elizabethtown team.
See Your Cabinet and Countertop Options at Our Design Center
Choosing cabinets and countertops is easier in person. Visit our Design Center on South Market Street at 244 S Market St, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and walk-ins are welcome Monday to Friday. We are closed Saturday and Sunday.
Here is how a remodel moves from first visit to finished kitchen:
- Consult with a designer
- In-home survey
- Design and proposal
- Sign your agreement
- Pre-start conference meeting
- Dedicated project manager
- Final walkthrough and evaluation
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Elizabethtown is independently owned and locally operated by NALI Remodeling Services LLC under license from DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen. License: PA170181.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are custom kitchen cabinets and countertops chosen in a full kitchen remodel?
They are chosen together, after the layout and storage plan. In our hosting kitchen, the Showplace sage green lowers, white uppers and Corian Quartz countertops were picked as one palette, and the island was shaped for buffet-style service at the same time. Choosing them as a set keeps colors, finishes and work surfaces working together.
How can I get more kitchen storage without making my kitchen bigger?
Plan the storage first, then the cabinets. Our Elizabethtown homeowners with a 1986 kitchen had a cramped workspace, so the layout was reconfigured for maximum storage, and heavy-grained cabinets gave way to sleek, minimalist profiles. In our dinner-party kitchen, the existing footprint was reimagined rather than enlarged.
Do two-tone kitchen cabinets work in a kitchen used for entertaining?
They can, when the colors are planned with the countertops and the way guests move. In our dinner-party kitchen, sage green lowers and crisp white uppers sit under Corian Quartz countertops, with an island refined for buffet-style service and a dedicated beverage bar with custom under-cabinet lighting.
Can I stop by to look at cabinets and countertops without an appointment?
Yes. Walk-ins are welcome at our Design Center at 244 S Market St in Elizabethtown, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is a good first step before you consult with a designer, and you can call (717) 367-9753 if you have questions before you come in.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
If your kitchen feels dated or cramped, the answer may already be inside the walls you have. DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Elizabethtown can help you plan custom cabinets, countertops and storage as part of a full remodel that fits the way you live. Schedule a design consultation online or call us at (717) 367-9753. We proudly serve homeowners in Elizabethtown, Hershey, Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Lebanon, Mechanicsburg, Mountville, Marietta, Bainbridge and Palmyra.
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Elizabethtown
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