Kitchen Remodeling in Sunset Hills, CA

Sunset Hills is a north Thousand Oaks neighborhood around Sunset Hills Country Club, with homes built mostly from the 1960s through the 1980s. That range means kitchens vary a lot from street to street, from closed 1960s layouts to 1980s kitchens with early open plans. We connect you with one independent local remodeling contractor who works in Thousand Oaks.

Last updated October 22, 2026.

Know which era your home is from

Because Sunset Hills was built over a couple of decades, two homes a few blocks apart can need very different remodels. Earlier homes tend to have smaller, enclosed kitchens and simpler framing. Later homes may already connect to a family room but have features that feel dated now, like a sunken family room, a peninsula with upper cabinets hanging over it, or a breakfast bar at a different height than the counters. Knowing your home’s era helps you and a contractor anticipate what’s behind the walls.

Removing upper cabinets over a peninsula

A peninsula with wall cabinets hanging above it is a common 1970s and 1980s feature that blocks sight lines. Taking those cabinets down opens the room quickly, but you lose storage, and the soffit or ceiling above may contain ductwork or wiring. Many homeowners make up the storage with a taller pantry cabinet or deeper drawers. If you want to go further and turn the peninsula into an island, see kitchen layout changes.

Golf course and hillside homes

Some homes near the country club or on sloped lots have views worth designing around. If your kitchen faces the view, a larger window over the sink or a wider slider can be worth the structural work involved. Hillside lots can also mean raised foundations and crawlspaces, which make plumbing changes easier in some cases, since a contractor can reach the drain lines from below.

Systems to check before you design

Electrical panel and wiring. Older panels may not handle modern kitchen circuits. Some homes of this era have wiring types that electricians recommend evaluating.
Gas line. Moving or upsizing a gas range, or adding a gas line to an island, requires a permitted gas line change.
Supply and drain lines. Galvanized supply lines, where present, are often replaced during a remodel.
Lead and asbestos. For pre-1978 homes, plan lead-safe practices and test suspect materials before demolition.

Counters and finishes that fit the house

Sunset Hills homes span ranch, contemporary, and traditional looks. A remodel that suits the architecture usually feels right longer than one that chases a trend. Quartz and natural stone are both common choices; see countertops for the trade-offs. Flooring is worth deciding at the same time, because older homes here may have several layers under the kitchen that change the floor height where it meets the hall or family room once removed.

Next steps

Sunset Hills is in the City of Thousand Oaks, and most full remodels need a city permit. Read our permit guide, set a rough budget with our cost guide, and send a request. We’ll pass it to one independent local remodeling contractor.

Services we can help with in Sunset Hills

Frequently asked questions

Should I remove the cabinets above my kitchen peninsula?

Removing them opens sight lines, but you lose storage, and the soffit above may hide ducts or wiring. Many homeowners replace that storage with a pantry cabinet or deeper drawers elsewhere.

Does a raised foundation make plumbing changes easier?

Often, yes. With a crawlspace, a contractor can reach drain and supply lines from below, which can make moving a sink simpler than in a slab-on-grade home.

Do I need a permit to move my gas range?

Generally, yes. Moving or extending a gas line requires a permit and inspection. In Sunset Hills, that goes through the City of Thousand Oaks.

Nearby areas

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Kitchen remodeling in Sunset Hills, CA