Many homes across Metro Phoenix have great bones, prime locations, and incredible potential… yet still feel closed off, dated, or disconnected from how people live today. Modernizing a home should be about rethinking flow, light, comfort, and functionality in a way that fits the desert lifestyle. As a Scottsdale-based, full-service design-build remodeling company, Kitchens by Good Guys has spent years helping homeowners transform older spaces into contemporary, livable homes through a clear, intentional process, and we're pleased to lay out our secrets, complete with an easy-to-follow chart.
Kitchens by Good Guys is a full-service, white-glove home remodeling company based in the Phoenix, AZ area. We perform design-build luxury whole-home renovations, kitchen transformations, spa-quality bathrooms, and custom interior features. View our remodeling project gallery for examples of our beautiful, completed projects.
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Modern design in this context refers to so much more than stark minimalism or cold, ultra-trendy finishes. Some homeowners lean toward desert contemporary, others prefer a transitional look with simple lines, and many want a blend of both. When we mention modernizing a home, we're discussing intentional simplicity paired with warmth, comfort, and livability. A modernized Phoenix home feels open and bright, flows effortlessly from space to space, and supports how you live day to day.
Because of our desert climate and lifestyle, modern homes here often emphasize natural light, indoor-outdoor connection, and materials that feel clean yet grounded. These are often open-concept layouts that replace closed-off rooms, kitchens designed for both cooking and gathering, and bathrooms that feel more like private retreats than purely functional spaces. Modernization may also include upgrading systems behind the walls, lighting, insulation, windows, and energy-efficient features, to make the home more comfortable and efficient year-round.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when modernizing is jumping straight into finishes or construction without a clear plan. Successful remodels, especially whole-home, kitchen, and bathroom transformations, follow a defined sequence that removes guesswork, reduces stress, and leads to better results.
Kitchens by Good Guys guides clients through a proven remodeling roadmap that takes them from early vision to everyday enjoyment. Each stage builds on the last, ensuring that design decisions are thoughtful, construction runs smoothly, and the final result feels cohesive rather than pieced together.
| Stage | Focus | What Happens Here |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Discover | Vision & Goals | You meet with the Kitchens by Good Guys team to clarify your goals, lifestyle needs, and what feels outdated in your home. We align on priorities, style direction, and realistic expectations before moving forward. |
| 2. Design | Planning & Visualization | We translate your ideas into a clear plan with layouts, 3D renderings, and curated material selections. |
| 3. Build | Execution & Craftsmanship | Our design-build team brings the plan to life with organized scheduling, skilled craftsmanship, and clear communication throughout construction. |
| 4. Refine | Personalization & Modern Features | We finalize the details that define modern living, such as custom cabinetry, LED lighting, upgraded surfaces, and thoughtful design features that elevate everyday use. |
| 5. Live | Enjoyment & Transformation | Your home is complete and ready to enjoy, now brighter, more functional, and designed for how you live today. A final walkthrough ensures every detail meets expectations. |
Without a clear vision upfront, projects often drift, leading to scope creep, budget stress, or a finished space that doesn’t fully support how you live.
This phase focuses on understanding the why behind your remodel. Homeowners work through questions like:
What feels outdated or frustrating about the home today?
How do you want the space to function differently?
Are you remodeling for entertaining, daily comfort, aging in place, or long-term value?
Kitchens by Good Guys helps homeowners translate ideas into a clear direction. We walk through goals, lifestyle needs, and style preferences while providing honest insight into what’s realistic for Phoenix homes, especially older properties with strong structure but dated layouts.
Once the vision is clear, it's time to transform goals into a thoughtful, buildable roadmap.
Design work typically includes:
Optimizing layouts for flow and openness
Creating 3D renderings to visualize the finished space
Selecting cabinetry, finishes, lighting, and materials that work together cohesively
Modern remodels often involve structural changes, lighting plans, and multi-room coordination. Professional design helps prevent costly mid-project changes, ensures accurate budgeting, and creates a harmonious look across kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas.
Once the design is finalized, the focus shifts from planning to precision.
The build phase typically includes:
Ordering materials and coordinating lead times
Permitting and scheduling trades
Executing demolition, framing, and installation
Ongoing quality checks and progress updates
Modern remodels often involve structural changes, electrical upgrades, and detailed lighting plans. A design-build approach keeps design and construction aligned, reducing delays, miscommunication, and costly revisions.
Kitchens by Good Guys oversees every phase of construction with a dedicated team and clear communication. Our clients have visibility into schedules and progress, and our craftsmen focus on clean execution and consistent quality throughout the home.
This stage is where your home truly begins to feel modern. With the structure and layout complete, attention turns to the details.
Common upgrades include:
Semi-custom cabinetry with clean profiles
Under-cabinet and accent LED lighting
Large, multifunctional islands
Open-concept transitions between spaces
Integrated storage and pantry solutions
Personalization often continues with:
Curbless or zero-entry showers
Floating vanities and custom tilework
LED mirrors and layered lighting
Electric fireplace feature walls
Updated doors, baseboards, and designer fixtures
Modern design relies on consistency. Thoughtful details ensure the home feels cohesive from room to room, rather than like a series of disconnected updates.
With construction complete, your modernized home is ready to be lived in and enjoyed.
Homeowners often notice:
Better flow and openness
More natural light
Improved storage and functionality
Spaces that support entertaining and everyday living
A final walkthrough ensures every detail meets expectations. Once complete, the home reflects the original vision, modern, functional, and designed for long-term enjoyment.
The cost to modernize a home in Metro Phoenix can vary widely depending on the scope, size, and level of customization involved. A focused kitchen or bathroom modernization may start in the mid–five figures, while a full whole-home remodel often ranges from the mid–six figures and up.
Several factors influence cost:
Size and age of the home
Structural changes (removing walls, reconfiguring layouts)
Cabinetry, finishes, and material selections
Plumbing, electrical, and lighting upgrades
Level of customization versus standard solutions
See our complimentary remodeling cost guide for more detailed information.
Not necessarily. Many homeowners start by modernizing high-impact spaces like the kitchen, primary bathroom, or main living areas. Updating layouts, lighting, and finishes in these spaces can dramatically change how the home feels overall.
That said, whole-home remodels often create the most cohesive results, especially in older Phoenix homes where finishes, flooring, and layouts vary from room to room. The right approach depends on your goals, timeline, and how long you plan to stay in the home.
While every home is different, the areas that typically deliver the greatest return, both financially and functionally, include:
Kitchens (layout, storage, lighting, and appliances)
Bathrooms (especially primary suites)
Open-concept living areas
Flooring and lighting updates throughout the home
In many cases, yes, but it depends on the scope of work. Smaller kitchen or bathroom remodels may allow homeowners to remain in the home with some temporary inconveniences. Larger whole-home remodels, or projects involving extensive structural work, may require partial or full relocation for a period of time.
This is typically discussed early in the planning phase so expectations are clear and accommodations can be planned accordingly.
Timelines vary based on complexity, size, and material lead times, but most whole-home remodels take several months from construction start to completion. The full process, including planning, design, selections, and construction, often spans longer.
Modern homes balance clean lines and simplicity with warmth and texture. Instead of relying on bold trends, successful modernizations focus on:
Thoughtful layouts and flow
Layered lighting rather than a single light source
Neutral, timeless materials paired with subtle contrast
Consistency across spaces
Yes, especially for modern remodels. Modern design often involves structural changes, integrated lighting plans, and careful coordination across multiple spaces. Professional design helps:
Prevent costly changes during construction
Ensure accurate budgeting and scheduling
Create a cohesive look across the entire home
Many older Phoenix homes have strong architectural bones but outdated layouts or finishes.
Updates often involve:
Opening up spaces while respecting original proportions
Updating finishes while maintaining warmth
Improving functionality without overcomplicating the design
With design-build, one team manages both design and construction under a single, coordinated process. This creates better communication, fewer handoffs, and more accountability.
Traditional remodeling often separates design and construction, which can lead to misalignment, delays, or budget changes if plans aren’t fully build-ready.
If you’re considering a modern kitchen, bathroom, or whole-home remodel in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, or the greater Metro Phoenix area, Kitchens by Good Guys is here to guide you every step of the way. Our design-build process brings clarity, craftsmanship, and a white-glove experience to homeowners ready to transform how their homes look and live.
Contact us today to begin your modernization journey.