Families are drawn to San Diego for various reasons, including its great weather, renowned attractions, charming neighborhoods, and over 70 kilometers of magnificent beaches. After years of enjoying their homes, residents who have lived in the city for a while may encounter a variety of problems with their properties. For those looking to update their homes to meet their family’s current needs and desires, we have prepared this list of the top kitchen designers serving San Diego, California. Each of these firms was selected based on their histories, accomplishments, and qualifications. They are also all adept at creating universal designs that are accessible and feature timeless styles that will last for decades.
Jackson Design & Remodeling
4797 Mercury St. San Diego, CA 92111
Founded by Todd Jackson, who entered the remodeling industry at the age of 20, Jackson Design and Remodeling (JDR) has created and enhanced a wide variety of residential properties throughout San Diego County. Jackson oversees an exceptional group of experts and professionals passionate about serving clients. Thanks to its efficient processes, this team has crafted numerous award-winning homes, earning six consecutive Better Business Bureau (BBB) Awards for Integrity and garnering GuildQuality’s highest accolades for an impressive 15 years. Several publications, including Architectural Digest, Modern Luxury, and Dwell Magazine, have also praised JDR’s work.
The Jackson team created this modern kitchen for retired homeowners who enjoy cooking and eating wholesome home-cooked meals. When designing the new kitchen, the firm made sure to take advantage of the breathtaking mountain vistas in its surroundings. In addition to being used as a breakfast nook, the area includes plenty of storage space and counter space big enough for meal preparation. The blue limestone beneath the island and the gentle, natural lighting above give the kitchen a unique personality and depth.
Marrokal Design & Remodeling
9474 Kearny Villa Rd. #205, San Diego, CA 92126
For the past forty years, Marrokal Design & Remodeling has been building houses and enhancing the daily lives of families by providing unique, in-depth solutions that are both practical and cost-effective. Gary Marrokal and Tom Capizzi, the company’s co-owners, supervise the team, treating each house as attentively as if it were their own. This approach has led to the development of impressive spaces that have surpassed client standards and solidified the firm’s strong reputation. The firm has therefore amassed an impressive list of accomplishments, which includes 7 Contractor of the Year awards, numerous Chrysalis Design awards, and features in Professional Remodeler Magazine and Qualified Remodeler Magazine.
Featured here is one project completed by Marrokal Design & Remodeling. The kitchen, which was previously cramped, outdated, and lacking connectivity with adjacent rooms, underwent a remarkable transformation. The Marrokal Design & Remodeling team skillfully removed the partition that separated the kitchen from the front seating area, creating a more spacious environment. The team also added a mixture of modern materials to update its design and create an inviting environment. The new kitchen now features new black shaker cabinets, a custom hood, floating shelves, subway-style backsplash, smoked French oak flooring, brass hardware, geometric light fixtures, and a barn door for the pantry. It also uses bright neutral tones that help to integrate its modern features with warm rustic accents. The stunning kitchen island features waterfall edges and a quartz countertop.
Studio Stratton
4421 Park Blvd. Ste. 102, San Diego, CA 92116
Studio Stratton is dedicated to providing clients with creative and functional designs that fit their unique needs and the existing style of the home. Since its inception in 2010, each of the firm’s plans has been tailor-made and unique to the particular homeowner, resulting in a diverse portfolio of outstanding designs. Aside from designing kitchens, it is also skilled in baths, closets, custom cabinetry, millwork, and aging-in-place designs. Residents of Southern California can also come to the firm for drafting, project coordination, budgeting, and critical path management services. Ranch and Coast Magazine, Kitchen and Bath Design News, Dream Kitchens, and other media outlets have all featured the firm’s stunning projects.
Studio Stratton is owned by Lance Stratton, who attended seminary school and served as an associate pastor at The Gathering before venturing into the residential construction industry. Stratton’s previous roles include those of a showroom manager, kitchen designer, and draftsman, as well as a partner at Folio + Stratton. Stratton continues to broaden his knowledge and experiences by being an active member of the Vistage, an organization that helps professionals access well-respected leaders that can help them improve their work.
Lars Remodeling & Design
5925 Kearny Villa Rd. San Diego, CA 92123
With over 31 years of business, Lars Remodeling & Design is a renowned expert in residential construction and remodeling. Jason Larson, the firm’s founder, oversees all projects, including ADUs, new homes, complete remodels, additions, kitchen and bathroom renovations, and outdoor living spaces. His team of architects, interior designers, project managers, and construction specialists prioritizes three central things in their work: communication, client focus, and trust. The team also remains updated on the latest laws, regulations, and trends in the industry. This dedication has earned the firm features in several publications, including HGTV, PR Newswire, Innovation Company Magazine, and San Diego Home and Garden Lifestyle.
This Alpine kitchen renovation is one project completed by Lars Remodeling & Design. Skillfully balancing dark and light components while providing homeowners with lots of entertaining space, the kitchen features gorgeous matte black custom cabinetry that skillfully contrasts with the distinctive dark veining countertop. The kitchen has unique vent-a-hood hoods, white perimeter cabinetry, customized appliance covers, and a large island, which features a “step up” style and serves as a space for seating, food preparation, and display. The huge pendant lights and matte black Kohler fixtures effectively complete the design and complement the room’s dimensions.
CairnsCraft Design & Remodel
4660 Voltaire St. San Diego, CA 92107
Since 1990, the San Diego metropolitan area has benefited from the design-build services provided by CairnsCraft Design & Remodel. The firm offers project planning, management, and construction services, specializing in house expansions and remodeling entire homes, kitchens, baths. It places high regard on the principle of trust and seeks to assure clients that their homes are in capable hands. To reduce uncertainty, clients are guided throughout the entirety of the project and are assisted in making informed decisions. Numerous honors have been granted to the firm for its work, including the 2019 Reader’s Choice Bathroom of the Year and the Best of Ranch and Coast Magazine in 2020.
One impressive remodeling project in CairnsCraft Design & Remodel’s portfolio is this contemporary kitchen. Among other things, the firm removed a portion of the wall and replaced it with an 8-foot wide folding window with glass panels that effortlessly slide-and-stack. It also added modern slab-panel cabinet doors with two complementing finishes—medium wood tone and crisp white. A striking contrast was created between the matte black cabinet hardware, fittings, and appliances, and the white quartz worktops, adding visual interest to the space.
Design Studio West
4250 Morena Blvd Ste. C, San Diego, CA 92117
Design Studio West considers its clients part of its fully integrated team in every project it works on. Remodeling spaces since 1982, it has worked on large-scale, whole-home, and single-space projects. It also provides the San Diego area with design, planning, and permit procurement services. Its team of design, construction, and installation professionals is dedicated to delivering customized services ideal for the needs and wants of homeowners. This has led the firm to build a reputation for reliability and develop a broad base of loyal clients. In fact, about 75% of the firm’s projects come from client referrals.
This refurbishment project is one of several award-winning projects that the firm has created over the years. The owners of this 70-year-old house enjoy cooking, and they wanted more storage for a variety of kitchen gadgets, as well as their assortment of spices, coffees, and teas. To address this, the firm extended the entrance to the kitchen in order to create more space and accommodate the new storage spaces. It also replaced the back door with a bigger Dutch door and installed a raised Trex deck outside for an improved exterior space. This home was awarded by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) San Diego with the first prize award in the small kitchen category in 2017.
Remcon Design Build
7154 Convy Ct. San Diego, CA 92111
Remcon Design Build was founded in 2006 by Rohit Vyas and Ronen Barda, who each have more than 15 years of industry expertise. Both are devoted to working with customers to come up with practical ideas that work for the project. Together with the REMCON team, these leaders are committed to upholding the firm’s four pillar principles: ability, communication, transparency, and customer experience. By doing this, all of their projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and to the clients’ delight.
Remcon Design Build uses a four-step design-build process to complete every project. Consultation is the first stage, during which the team meets with the client to go through goals, budgets, and designs. The firm then presents a plan considering the issues raised during the consultation, and this is accompanied by a comprehensive price breakdown. During the third step, finalizing, the firm selects a plan and assesses whether it suits the client’s requirements and financial situation. The group makes suggestions regarding the materials and fixtures that best suit the chosen design. The last step is construction, which takes up the majority of any project. During this phase, the project manager will report to clients on progress during weekly client meetings.
Optimal Remodel & Design
9265 Dowdy Dr. Ste. 220, San Diego, CA 92126
Optimal Remodel & Design provides residents of the San Diego area with a wide range of home improvement services, including full home remodels, kitchen and bathroom renovations, room additions, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), layout changes, and landscaping. Aside from construction and design experts, the firm also has licensed and experienced project managers who ensure everything goes according to plan and stays within budget. With this approach, the Optimal team guarantees clients that every build will suit their unique lifestyle and needs.
With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s in business administration and management, Dotan Trabulsi manages the firm’s daily operations. Before founding the firm 15 years ago, Trabulsi worked as an assistant engineer at Dokken Engineering, Levy and Shtark, and Thomas Wong, Inc. He also has experience as a geotechnical engineer. Trabulsi uses the knowledge and skills he gained throughout his career to guide the firm’s talented team.
