Kitchens
Kitchen Design Fort Wayne & Decatur, IN — Custom Cabinets Planned Right the First Time
A kitchen project can go wrong faster than most homeowners expect. Cabinets don’t fit. Appliances don’t line up. Walls get opened up only to reveal bigger problems. What starts as an exciting upgrade can quickly turn into delays, added costs, and frustration.
At MR Planners, we believe most of these problems are preventable. That’s why we focus on detailed kitchen design first—so your cabinets, appliances, and layout are planned correctly before anything is built. When the plan is right, the project goes smoother, costs stay under control, and your kitchen works the way it should for years to come.
Schedule a Kitchen Design Consultation
Call 260-724-4000
Visit Our Decatur Showroom
Why Kitchen Projects Go Wrong
Most kitchen problems can come from poor products—but they also from poor planning.
We’ve heard stories of:
- Cabinets ordered before final measurements
- Appliances that don’t fit openings
- Layouts that disrupt workflow
- Projects delayed by missed details
With over 50 years of experience, we know what to look for before problems happen. Our design process focuses on accuracy, fit, and function—so you avoid costly mistakes.
Custom Kitchen Cabinets Designed for Your Home
Your cabinets are more than just storage—they define how your kitchen works.
We help you choose:
- Custom kitchen cabinets with high tech durable finish
- Semi-custom and budget-friendly competitive cabinet options
- Storage solutions that maximize space
- Several lines of cabinetry with multiple finishes and styles to choose from in our showroom you can see up close and take home to color compare.
Before
After
- This stunning Kitchen remodel in Bluffton IN opened a less used side room to help create an expansive kitchen.
- MR Planners also opened the wall to the living room and added patio doors, new windows to the exterior and living room remodel.
- We were able to keep dining and bar seating, much more workable space for two to cook, and have space for hosting extended family and guests.
Best Kitchen Designs That Works in Real Life
Seeking a quality kitchen remodel or renovation without overspending?
We plan:
- Detailed estimates that allow your customizations
- Compare your kitchen with other projects we have done to get a close estimate quickly.
- Cabinet placement based on daily use
- Appliance spacing and clearances
- Kitchen islands, prep areas, and work triangles
- Possible better routing of your space for best storage
- Flow between kitchen, dining, and living spaces
“Planning” is so important it’s in our name, which means you can count on a final kitchen design that has considered the small details of your food preparation workflow, as well as the overall appearance and function of your kitchen. Our designers are detailed and help make sure your kitchen keeps in budget with your home value. We know kitchens and we know right construction in remodeling and even how to cook!
Review for MR Planners, Inc
Relationship: Client
Project Date: August 2024
We are very pleased with the quality of the work done and the materials used. As the project went along, their communication with us was very good. They also stayed within the quote they gave us and stayed on schedule.
Fort Wayne Area’s One Stop Kitchen Remodel Shop with Kitchen Cabinets, Our One Stop Shop offers several lines of factory direct high quality finish competitively priced cabinetry, quartz counter tops, granite, Corian, and laminates along with several types of sinks. for L-shaped kitchen, galley kitchen, kitchen island, or peninsula. Our kitchen designers spend time planning to help you get the best space utilized and offer the options for roll out drawers or space saving spice racks, smart cabinetry, deep pan drawers, dishwasher drawers and more! When you walk into MR Planners you can expect the area’s most complete kitchen & bath remodel specialists in the Fort Wayne area.
Kitchen Express — A Smarter DIY Option
Not every project requires full construction.
With Kitchen Express, you can:
- Purchase cabinets and materials only with appliances to fit
- Get quality professional cabinets inspected by us based on your design
- Dont have to rely on mail order cabinets that lead to frustration
- Install yourself or use your builder
Avoid costly mistakes—even on a DIY project.
When You’re Ready for Full Remodeling
Some projects start with design and then add a bathroom or laundry. We help stage your project so you can handle it in steps.
When you’re ready, our team at MR Planners can coordinate your full kitchen or bath remodel—handling everything from planning to installation.
Not sure where to start? Let’s look at your space together.
Call 260-724-4000 or Stop into our showroom
Serving Fort Wayne, Decatur & Surrounding Areas
We have worked with over 5000 homeowners throughout the areas of :
FAQ
- How do I avoid costly kitchen remodeling mistakes?
Start with a detailed design before purchasing cabinets or beginning construction. Most costly issues come from incorrect measurements, poor layout planning, or rushing decisions.
Want a second opinion on your layout? Bring your measurements or photos—we’ll review them with you.
- What happens if cabinets or appliances don’t fit?
This is one of the most common and expensive problems. Fixing it often requires reordering materials or modifying construction. We prevent this by planning all measurements and clearances in advance. Check out our appliances in store or online.
We can help you verify your measurements before you order anything—just schedule a quick design review.
- Do I need a full remodel, or can I just replace cabinets?
Not every project requires full remodeling. Some kitchens can be significantly improved with new cabinets and layout adjustments. We help measure, and layout your plan so you can see the details on a large screen, and you determine the best approach for your space and budget.
- How do I know I’m choosing the right kitchen contractor or designer?
Look for experience, planning process, and attention to detail—not just price. A properly planned kitchen will save money and frustration in the long run. MR Planners does a lot of the work to help you avoid extra fees, also with competitive labor rates.
- Can I do part of the project myself?
Yes. With Kitchen Express, you can purchase cabinets and receive professional design guidance while handling installation yourself or using your own contractor.
- How long does kitchen design take before construction begins?
Design timelines vary depending on complexity, but taking time upfront prevents delays later. A well-planned project moves much faster during installation. See the great reviews of the extra communication our team gives the customer during the ordering and installation phases.
Kitchen Remodeling Contractor in Fort Wayne, IN
MR Planners, Inc is the #1 kitchen remodeling contractor in Fort Wayne, IN, and Northeast Indiana. We have completed over 5,000 kitchen and bathroom remodels and designer cabinet projects. Additionally, we help retain the value of historic homes.
At MR Planners, Inc, we have everything customers need to turn ideas into reality. Our customers don’t expect box-store quality or design, nor do they want to overspend. That’s why we offer quality, American-made products for a good price.
Kitchens aren’t cheap. But mistakes cost more. Our kitchen designers spend time planning to help you get the best. Area REALTORS® attest that MR Planners, Inc kitchens help sell homes even 20 years down the road!
Kitchen or Cabinets
Quality is never cheap, but mistakes cost more. Our customers don’t want box-store cheap; they want the assurance of quality, without overspending.
Five Important Kitchen Design Trends of 2026
Kitchen Cabinetry Design Trends - Midwest
MR Planners, Inc kitchens seem to stay in high demand in the REALTOR® world.
In 2026, kitchen cabinets are trending light to medium stained cabinets with not-so-white neutrals on the island or the main run of cabinetry. Off-white cabinetry is in less demand, and gray is being replaced with gray/brown stains. White and red oak are replacing the once dominant maple cabinets, opting for a finer grain showing. Gold and brushed bronze hardware are mixed with stainless metals. Consumers are featuring the stove with hidden range hoods and well-lit cabinetry: offering a highlight on details. Customers continue to open walls from the kitchen to living room spaces and create pantry cabinets or closets. Many include a laundry or work area hidden with doors or blending with similar cabinets and countertops as the kitchen.
Smart Efficiency Work Areas
The beauty of remodeling a kitchen is to incorporate the most efficient design to eliminate wasted space and build convenient tilt-down trays, soft-close drawers, built-in USB ports and laptop nooks, tray dividers, coffee nooks, large drawers for pots and pans, and pull-out pantry shelves. Streamlined kitchens continue to be popular in higher markets as well as in the country, with more natural wood than painted cabinetry. Many opt for casual, family-friendly styles that make everyone comfortable. Even in older homes, walls are being transformed to create greater ease in conversation and family bistro-style flex spaces like a laptop nook, coffee center, or entertainment bar that are comfortable for work, eating, or entertaining. Biophilic design brings nature into the room with large picture windows, patio doors, or French doors with added side lights.
Simple ways to improve the sink area, the star of the kitchen, are to trade out for updated water-efficient faucets and new countertops. Updating knobs into golden tones, such as gold satin and brushed bronze, continue to rise in popularity, while the brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze maintain their space on the selection tray.
Introduce Wow Factor
Combining bold accents with neutral finishes of cabinetry, countertops, and flooring is a simple way to create a unique look. White-linen, dove, and agreeable gray painted cabinets combined with wood cabinetry and accents create some interest and relief from the all-white kitchen. Natural or light tones in stains and paint are being combined with natural wood as well. Some consider a grayed green as a new neutral. Sherwin-Williams’ Color of the Year 2026 Universal Khaki is shown below. Natural textures and the appreciation of nature come out in wood choices, and today’s market provides exciting quartz tops with minimal design.
Stainless steel and black stainless steel, black ore flat, and KitchenAid new Jupiter gray green appliances surge, as well as built-in appliances hidden with wood fronts.
Satin black and gold or bronze accents continue to dominate. The market tends towards natural earth-toned colors. Shaker-style cabinet doors and flat-panel doors are dominating. Trending colors include earthy sage green, terracotta, clay, deep blue or navy, and rich espresso or toned tints of universal beige and khaki.
You are going to see more arched doors and arched windows breaking up the modern straight lines.
White apron front sinks with exposed fronts are trending.
Matching window trim and interior doors improves eye appeal. Also, color drenching the wall, trim, and ceiling allows your eye to go directly to the features of the room.
The Way We Cook and Eat
Today’s higher interest in healthier cooking or specialty cooking with guests requires a kitchen that looks beautiful and yet offers ease of cleaning. Minimal design with open wood shelving is still popular and gives relief from the all-wood wall cabinet runs. The waterfall countertop on the island gives a visual pop but is phasing out. Many customers still opt for the most seating available to the island while keeping the kitchen work area free of traffic.
Budget vs. Customizability
Our planning specialist provides balance in the number and shape of cabinet doors and empty space. Our planner can help you evaluate if it’s better to keep the cabinets and do a reface to save money in your kitchen budget, or if you want more innovation to make the most efficient use of your space in the corners, pantry, trash, and recycling, putting those into a beautiful design.
Organizing options include storage systems, rollout shelving, cutlery, bulk food storage, menu organizers, specialty appliance storage, and coffee stations.
Ample lighting is provided with under-counter lighting and built-in LED lights.
LED lighting is much more efficient, for example, using a 9-w bulb provides as much light as a 100-w bulb. Multiply that times the number of bulbs you have in your kitchen or home, and you have a lot of savings by updating your fixtures. Ask about efficient appliances as well. The green market pushes for more efficient appliances and companies that keep the Earth in mind.
Smart technology increases efficiency and kitchen investments almost always pay off. We encourage LED lighting to save on energy. We have Energy Star-rated appliances and Energy Star-rated windows and doors that are made to hold the winter heat in and the summer hot air out, saving a lot of waste in heating and cooling.
We also have smart connected appliances to your phone so you can double check to see if your dishes are getting clean and your meal is being prepared, or your oven is shut off after you have left.
Let’s start a conversation about your kitchen needs. Our first in-store design consult gets you examples or pricing of other kitchen remodels similar in size and scope to your home. Contact us below with your details.
You can find more design and trend ideas on our supplier websites.
Kitchen or Bathroom Design Guide
How to Make the Decision Process Simpler, with Confidence
Too many choices in a big project can overwhelm most of us just by thinking about it. How can I make my decisions with confidence and stick to them? Most of us know what looks good when we see it, but have trouble visualizing how the end result will look.
Step-by-Step Kitchen Design Process — So Nothing Gets Missed
Planning a kitchen can feel overwhelming—There are a lot of choices, but because also wrong decisions can be costly to fix later. Cabinets that don’t fit, appliances that don’t align, and layouts that don’t function properly are some of the most common problems homeowners face. We aim to communicate with all decision makers so everyone knows what to expect.
At MR Planners, we’ve heard enough stories over the past 50 years.
That’s why we use a step-by-step kitchen design process to make sure every detail is considered before anything is ordered or installed.
Our Kitchen Design Process
- 1. In Office Consultation — Understanding Your Space
We start by learning how you use your kitchen, your goals, and your budget. You get to see in store some of the many options we provide.
- 2. Measurement & Layout Planning
We come out and get accurate measurements and layout the CAD plan to ensure cabinets, appliances, and clearances fit correctly. You get to see your project on a large screen.
- 3. Cabinet & Material Selection
Our One Stop Shop displays several lines of cabinetry, quartz, granite, corian, laminates, sinks, faucets and knobs and appliances. You see in real time how the cabinets, finishes, and materials that you chose will match your style and function.
- 4. Design Review & Adjustments
We review the detailed plan together and add or subtract to fit your budget so you can see how everything will work before moving forward.
- 5. Project Path — DIY, Cabinets Only, or Full Remodel
You decide how to move forward:
- If you like your own design, Kitchen Express Saves (DIY cabinet Install)
- You want just Cabinets installed
- Full remodeling through MR Planners
- When you sign up we put your name in the schedule and communicate with you down the road about the delivery of goods, and timeframe.
DIY Kitchen Express
Discount Kitchen Cabinets
One way to save money on a new kitchen remodel is by having your own design, or by ordering just cabinets and countertops and doing your own installation.
Precise measuring is key.
Step 1.
You don’t have to do this alone. Call, stop in, or contact MR Planners, Inc for FREE professional advice on which level of express service is right for you.
Step 2.
Measure. Get our FREE measuring guide to help you achieve the correct details.
Step 3.
Plan. Click on the FREE DIY CAD Planning Software link.
Step 4.
Then send your completed plan to MR Planners, Inc via email, or fax (260) 724-7575 (or better yet, call to meet in person) for a FREE price quotation.
Measuring Your Kitchen Space
If you like, use the tools above and below to create a rendering of what you would like.
The diagram is easy. All you need is a tape measure, a pencil, a ruler, and a piece of grid paper. Just be sure to write all your measurements down. You might format the rough drawing of your kitchen space to look like this:
Start with the Sink
Measure from the center of your sink to the nearest corner. Measure the wall to the back of the sink first. Start in the corner. Measure in inches to the edge of the window trim.
Windows and Doors
Mark the width from the outside edge of the trim to the outside trim. Record the dimensional data.
Continue...
Working around the edge of the room, record all measurements thoroughly. Note all openings and interruptions like doors, offset walls, electrical outlets and panels, closets, etc. Examples are shown.
Countertops
Use the form below to specify what countertops you will need. Measure for the outside edge closest to the wall.
PLAN Your Kitchen Project: with FREE Tools!
FREE DIY CAD Planning SoftwareEasy to Use: FREE Kitchen Design Software
DIY Online Design (No download. No credit card required.)
There is a myth that you have to put up with bad service to get a low cost on cabinets.
MR Planners, Inc busts that myth by being:
1.
Factory outlet store for most of our cabinet lines. CNC build saves you cost while increasing the strength and integrity of your kitchen.
2.
Low overhead business with a building that is paid for to keep competitive with the box stores.
3.
Few things cost more than a big, bad mistake. We reduce your risk by helping you choose the level of work you can do.
4.
We help you obtain the tools you need to design it yourself, so you can purchase at the best possible factory outlet discount.
5.
We help reduce your risk by providing multipoint inspections throughout the process.