Kitchen renovation in Kirkwood, MO
Kirkwood, MO, homeowners love their homes for a reason: the character, the tree-lined streets, and the walkability to downtown. But the kitchens in many of these historic bungalows, Victorians, and mid-century ranches are decades behind the rest of the house. We renovate Kirkwood kitchens to match the charm that brought you here in the first place.
Why Kirkwood homeowners choose Aleto
Kirkwood is often called the “Queen of the Suburbs” for good reason. It’s one of St. Louis County’s most established communities, with 85 designated landmarks, nine local historic districts, and a downtown anchored by the 1893 Kirkwood Train Station. The homes here range from Victorian-era frame houses with wrap-around porches to mid-century ranches in neighborhoods like Barrett Brae and Sugar Creek. What they have in common is character, and kitchens that haven’t kept up with it.
Aleto Construction Group has been renovating homes in Kirkwood and throughout St. Louis County since 1955. We understand the construction methods behind Kirkwood’s historic housing stock, the structural considerations of opening up older floor plans, and how to work within the guidelines of the Kirkwood Landmarks Commission when a property falls within a designated historic district. As a design-build firm, our design and construction teams work together from day one, keeping everything under one roof.
We’ve earned back-to-back HBA Designer of the Year awards (2023 and 2024), the HBA Remodeler of the Year award, and over 35 industry honors throughout our 70-year history. In a community like Kirkwood, where people walk their neighborhoods, talk to their neighbors, and notice the work being done on their block, reputation matters more than advertising.
What a kitchen renovation in Kirkwood can include
Every kitchen renovation is different, but here are the elements we work with most often in Kirkwood homes:
Layout reconfiguration
Opening up closed-off kitchens common in Kirkwood’s older homes, improving the work triangle, and creating an island or peninsula space where the original floor plan didn’t allow for it
Custom cabinetry
Maximizing storage in Kirkwood’s often compact kitchen footprints with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, built-in pantries, and specialty drawers designed for how you actually cook
Countertops & surfaces
Quartz, granite, marble, and butcher block selected for durability and style, with profiles that complement the home’s existing character
Appliance integration
Panel-ready refrigerators, pro-grade ranges, and smart storage solutions that make the most of every square foot in Kirkwood’s smaller kitchens
Lighting design
Layered task, ambient, and accent lighting to brighten kitchens that often lack adequate natural light, especially in older Kirkwood, MO homes with smaller windows
Flooring
Premium options that connect to the original hardwood floors found throughout most Kirkwood homes, maintaining a consistent look from room to room
Preserving character details
Matching existing trim profiles, built-in details, and architectural features so the new kitchen feels like it belongs in the house rather than bolted onto it
Plumbing & electrical
Upgrading aging plumbing, replacing knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring, and bringing older Kirkwood homes up to current code while the walls are open
Kitchen renovation for Kirkwood’s distinct neighborhoods
Kirkwood’s housing stock spans more than a century of architecture. Each era brought a different idea of what a kitchen should be, and understanding what you’re working with is the first step toward getting it right.
Downtown & Jefferson-Argonne Historic District
The oldest homes in Kirkwood surround the downtown core, including the Jefferson-Argonne district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Colonial Revivals, Tudor Revivals, Craftsman bungalows, and Victorian-era frame houses are the norm. The kitchens are typically small, closed off from the dining and living rooms, and built with materials and layouts from the early 1900s. Renovating these kitchens means balancing modern function with historic character: opening up the layout while preserving original trim, built-ins, and architectural proportions. If your home is a designated Kirkwood landmark or is within a local historic district, our team is experienced in working with the Landmarks Commission review process.
Barrett Brae & Sugar Creek
These mid-century neighborhoods are among Kirkwood’s most sought-after. Barrett Brae is a designated local historic district known for its cohesive mid-century modern architecture: open floor plans, large windows, and a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Sugar Creek offers similar-era ranch homes on decent-sized lots with a tight-knit community feel. Kitchens in both neighborhoods tend to have galley or L-shaped layouts with original cabinetry from the 1950s-1960s. The single-story construction makes structural changes more straightforward, and the existing mid-century architecture pairs well with a clean, contemporary kitchen design.
Meramec Highlands & Greenbriar Hills
Meramec Highlands was originally developed in the late 1800s as a summer retreat, and its eclectic mix of turn-of-the-century cottages and larger family homes set on hilly, winding streets gives it a character unlike anywhere else in Kirkwood. Greenbriar Hills offers traditional two-story homes and ranches with a country club community feel. Kitchens in these neighborhoods vary widely in size and condition, but many share the same issue: dated finishes and layouts that no longer match how the family actually uses the space.
Kirkwood-Specific Considerations
Kirkwood takes historic preservation seriously. There are 85 designated landmarks and nine local historic districts, and any exterior alterations to a designated landmark or property within a historic district require review by the Kirkwood Landmarks Commission and a Certificate of Appropriateness. Interior kitchen renovations typically don’t trigger this process, but projects that involve window changes, additions, or exterior modifications will. Older homes may also present challenges with knob-and-tube wiring, lead paint in pre-1978 construction, and aging plumbing that should be addressed while the walls are open. Our team handles the City of Kirkwood permitting process and any Landmarks Commission coordination.
What our clients are saying…
“Aleto made our dream home come true and they made the four months renovation period smooth, pleasant, and seamless. Mike was a dream contractor – he kept in communication with us every single day. We received daily updates and he responded immediately to any and all messages we sent him. They hired the best workers, they worked with the best companies, and we could not be happier with our finished project. We recommend Aleto 100%.”
Mary – Houzz Review
Featured kitchen project
A kitchen that reflects the home’s true potential
HBA 2024, Kitchen of the Year
A cramped, one-cook kitchen expanded into a gathering space with custom inset cabinetry, a spacious island with breakfast bar, glass cabinetry, a beverage refrigerator, and stunning quartz countertops. Meticulous millwork honors the home’s historic character while bringing the kitchen into the present.
View this project →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Kirkwood, MO?
Costs depend on scope, materials, and the size of the kitchen. A cosmetic refresh with new countertops, backsplash, and lighting can start in the mid-five figures, while a full renovation with layout changes and custom cabinetry typically ranges from mid-five figures to six figures. Older Kirkwood homes that need wiring, plumbing, or structural upgrades may add to the investment, but addressing those issues during a renovation is far more cost-effective than doing it separately. We provide a detailed estimate before any work begins.
Can you open up a closed-off kitchen in a historic Kirkwood home?
Yes, and this is one of the most common requests we get in Kirkwood. Many of the older homes near downtown, in Jefferson-Argonne, and throughout the historic districts have kitchens that were designed to be hidden from the rest of the house. We assess the structural requirements, determine which walls are load-bearing, and create an open layout that improves daily function while preserving the home’s architectural character.
Do I need Landmarks Commission approval for a kitchen renovation?
Interior renovations generally do not require Landmarks Commission review. However, if your project involves changes to windows, exterior walls, or an addition that’s visible from the street, and your home is a designated landmark or within one of Kirkwood’s nine local historic districts, you will need a Certificate of Appropriateness. Our team can help you determine whether your project triggers this process and coordinate the review if needed.
How long does a kitchen renovation take in Kirkwood?
Most kitchen renovations take six to twelve weeks for construction, depending on the scope. Older Kirkwood homes that require structural modifications, electrical upgrades, or custom cabinetry with longer lead times may extend the timeline. We build a detailed project schedule before construction begins so you know exactly what to expect.
How do you match new kitchen work to the existing character of an older home?
This is something we pay close attention to in Kirkwood. We match trim profiles, replicate existing molding details, and select materials and finishes that feel consistent with the home’s architecture rather than fighting against it. The goal is a kitchen that looks like it was always meant to be there, not one that feels like a renovation was done around it.
More Home Renovation services in Kirkwood, MO
Renovating more than just the kitchen? Explore our other services available in Kirkwood, MO:
Whole home renovation
Transform your entire living space — updating layouts, finishes, and systems so everything works together.
Learn more →
Bathroom renovation
Convert dated bathrooms into spa-like retreats with custom tile, modern fixtures, and intelligent layouts.
Learn more →
Additions & dormers
Room additions, second stories, dormers, and sunrooms that look like they’ve always been there.
Learn more →
Ready to renovate your Kirkwood kitchen?
Your kitchen should be the best room in your house, not the one you’re constantly working around. Tell us what’s not working, and we’ll take it from there.
A UNIQUE PARTNER FOR YOUR UNIQUE VISION
For new construction, renovation, simple repurposing, or grand reimagining, Aleto brings decades of experience and creativity to every project, large or small. You have something special in mind, and we have a knack for helping you bring your vision to life with all the quality, personality, and professionalism it deserves.
We’re a family-owned company with creativity in our DNA. Curious? Get to know us a little better.
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