One of the best parts of a kitchen remodel is customizing the space to meet your needs. While many people would be happy with a kitchen that is functional, practical and reliable, others long for the beautiful details and customized features that truly make the space their own.

Here are seven ideas for customizing your kitchen design:

Creative Cabinets: The old rules are out! Cabinetry is now a great area for adding personality to a kitchen. Cabinets can range in color from light to dark and even feature contrasting colors or complementary designs within the same kitchen. Choose a light color for upper cabinets and a darker color for the bottom – or not! Mix and match a combination of glass doors, fully covered cabinet doors and even open shelving. Be creative!

Design the Perfect Island: Where does everyone end up? The kitchen! Create an area for guests and family to gather while you cook and entertain. Depending on your needs, this multi-use space can be planned for additional food prep, much-needed storage, food display and a homework station. One of the more popular design options includes choosing a contrasting color for counters or cabinets on an island.

Don't Forget the Ceiling: Taking the design in your kitchen from the floor to the ceiling can make the space feel larger and more luxurious. A few options to consider include adding crown molding, exposed beams, or even wallpaper or a faux finish to your ceiling for a unique look.

Customized Range Hood: The hood over your range can be customized for any look. Do you want it to blend with the cabinets, be sleek and minimalized or a focal point? Stainless, bronze, wood and mixed materials are all common options.

Add a Beautiful Backsplash: A backsplash is a feature that many people overlook in their new kitchen, and it's a space that easily lends itself to full customization. You can choose a backsplash material like stone, metal, pebbles, glass, colorful tiles, custom-painted tiles or intricate mosaics. Think about creating a focal point over your range with a beautiful design within your backsplash.

Add Creative Lighting: The best kitchen designs utilize a mix of ambient lighting, task lighting, and specialty lighting. Decorative but functional pendant lights can create an accent over an island or table, while recessed ceiling fixtures with dimmers can help light the task at hand. Under-cabinet lights can add a finishing touch and a bit of warmth. If your kitchen lacks natural light, consider a skylight or nearby bay window to bring in the sunshine.

Reconsider Appliances: There are so many configurations in appliances today, making it easy to customize your kitchen to suit your needs and optimize the space. Do you want a separate under-counter refrigerator for tomorrow's ingredients or beverages, a second dishwasher in your island for entertaining, a steam oven or warming drawer? Make your wish list and let an appliance expert help.

The options for your kitchen are virtually endless! Some features help to make your kitchen function better, while others help to add your desired look. The key is making notes about how you use – or want to use – your kitchen and your needs and wants, then prioritizing your goals. An experienced kitchen designer can help to combine the elements in a way to reflect your goals and style while optimizing your budget.

Tim Burch is a Vice President of BOWA, an award-winning design, and construction firm specializing in renovations ranging from master suites and kitchens to whole-house remodels. A Northern Virginia native and third-generation builder, Tim enjoys calling on his 30 years of design build experience to solve clients' home-related challenges. He is the Construction Advisor for The Mosby Heritage Area Association and sits on the Board of Building Appeals for Fauquier County. Prior to joining BOWA, Tim was the Lead Project Manager of Construction for the Emmy Award winning construction reality television show, Extreme Makeover Home Edition on ABC Television. For more information on Tim and the BOWA team, visit www.bowa.com or call 540-687-6771.