Tag: kitchen renovation

Kitchen Renovation – Choosing Cabinets and Countertops That Will Stand the Test of Time

Findlay Boone

If you’re reworking your kitchen, it’s crucial to make choices that will stand the test of time. Choose durable cabinets and countertop materials that withstand wear and tear, and look for energy-efficient appliances.

Kitchen Renovation

If your renovation will require dropping walls, moving gas lines, or rewiring electrical work, you’ll need state and county permits and licensed contractors. Contact Kitchen Renovation Houston for professional help.

A kitchen renovation begins with a careful evaluation of the existing layout. Depending on the space and its relationship to adjacent rooms, the layout can make or break the entire design and remodeling project.

When rearranging your kitchen, always consider how you and other family members will use it. It’s important to keep the main pathways clear and ensure that your work area is a reasonable distance from the stove, fridge and sink. Keeping these areas in mind can help you avoid common errors that complicate cooking and cleanup. For example, putting the sink too close to the oven or stove can obstruct your movements and may result in awkward positioning and poor ergonomics.

Another consideration when rearranging your kitchen is the size of the room. A large kitchen can support multiple workstations and a variety of storage solutions. Smaller rooms are more limited and often require creative planning. A large island can add functionality and a focal point to smaller spaces, while open shelving can add visual interest and extra storage.

Whether you’re working with a designer or on your own, preparing a list of your desired features will be extremely helpful during the design phase. It will also save time during the construction process by eliminating the back-and-forth between contractors.

Many cabinet manufacturers and retailers offer free design services. Utilizing this resource can help you achieve the look you want and stay within your budget. If you’re working with a design/build firm, it’s even more important to prepare a detailed scope of work. This will ensure that your contractor is providing you with a complete solution to your kitchen remodel needs. It will also prevent delays caused by long lead times for items like tile and custom cabinetry.

Cabinets

Cabinets are a big part of every kitchen. They store everything from cooking and baking ingredients to utensils, appliances and cookbooks. Choosing the right cabinets will allow you to organize and maximize your space and enhance your kitchen’s aesthetic, design and value.

You can find a vast array of cabinet styles, colors and materials to suit your design preferences, functional requirements and budget. To help you navigate these options, here is a rundown of some of today’s most popular cabinet materials and their benefits:

Solid wood cabinets are the top choice for many homeowners looking for a classic, timeless design that will not date or depreciate over time. They are rot-resistant and durable, offering superior strength and stability. They are also highly customizable with stain, paint and finish options that can complement or contrast your kitchen’s color scheme. However, solid woods are more expensive than other cabinet options and must be properly finished before they are brought into your home due to atmospheric changes that can warp unfinished surfaces.

Another popular option is reclaimed wood. Repurposed from old barns and buildings, this material is valued for its natural aging and rich patina. It is a sustainable option that reduces the need for new lumber and adds a warm, rustic look to any kitchen. Reclaimed wood is softer and can scratch or dent easier than other materials, but it can also be more durable with proper care.

If you’re on a tight budget, consider refacing your existing cabinets instead of replacing them entirely. A fresh coat of paint or a new stain can dramatically update the look of your entire kitchen and costs significantly less than replacement.

Countertops

Countertops are exposed to heat, sharp knives, and spills, so they need to be able to handle the daily wear and tear of an active kitchen. There are many different countertop materials to choose from, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. You will want to consider your budget, durability, and aesthetic when making a choice.

Laminate countertops are a cost-effective option that offers a wide range of colors and patterns. They are durable and easy to clean, but are not as heat-resistant as other materials. Natural stone countertops add a timeless appeal to any kitchen. However, they are also more expensive than other materials and require regular sealing to protect them from stains.

Quartz and solid surface countertops are non-porous, so they resist bacteria and mold growth. They are also stain-resistant and require little maintenance, but they are not as heat-resistant as other materials.

Reclaimed wood is a sustainable and eco-friendly option that can add character to your kitchen. However, it is important to make sure that the wood you select has been sourced responsibly and is certified by an independent body such as the Forest Stewardship Council or GreenGuard.

Marble is a luxurious option that offers intricate looks, but it can be easily scratched and stained. Soapstone is a less expensive alternative that provides the look of marble with a muted color palette marked by subtle veining. These natural stones are sturdy and withstand heat, but they can be damaged by acids like vinegar.

Appliances

Appliances are a major selection in any kitchen remodel, the key decision point where practicality meets design and style. Choosing the right appliances will ensure that your renovated kitchen works seamlessly for you and your household. Investing in high-quality appliances also enhances the overall look and feel of your kitchen while saving money on utility bills in the long run.

Selecting the right appliances starts with defining your needs and lifestyle, which will inform which appliances will serve you best. A common mistake is buying appliances with features that aren’t needed. For example, purchasing a high-capacity dishwasher that you won’t use or an extra oven when you hardly ever bake wastes energy and money.

The next step is researching brands and models to compare quality, features, and cost. If you’re on a budget, mainstream appliances can be a great option, offering reliable performance and durable finishes. If you’re willing to spend more on a luxury brand, you can get top-of-the-line appliances with premium finishes that elevate your kitchen’s aesthetic.

When selecting appliances, consider the finish and color to match your kitchen’s décor. Stainless steel appliances are a timeless choice that complements any kitchen. Other options include a copper range, which is durable and develops a beautiful patina over time, and white appliances that can complement a wide variety of design styles.

Another important factor to consider is the installation timeline. If you’re hiring a professional contractor, they will need to install the appliances ahead of cabinet installation and plumbing fixtures. In the meantime, you should set up a temporary kitchen for cooking and eating. This includes a microwave and a small refrigerator to hold drinks, snacks, and leftovers.

Lighting

Often the most overlooked aspect of any room renovation, lighting can make or break the space’s look and feel. It is the foundation for all other fixtures and decor, offering a subtle radiance that complements a design scheme. A well-lit kitchen should consist of four important “layers”: task, ambient, accent, and decorative.

For the work area, overhead lights should illuminate the countertop and sink areas for food preparation and clean-up tasks. Recessed and track lighting are popular options for this purpose. Ambient lighting can be provided by chandeliers and pendants, or more functionally by a group of fixtures in the center of an open floor plan. In addition, sconces, torchieres, and strip and in-cabinet lighting are good options to consider for the ambient layer of the kitchen.

As the kitchen continues to evolve into a living/gathering space for homeowners, artwork has become increasingly prevalent in these spaces. Whitehead recommends recessed, adjustable fixtures to light these works of art and highlight their beauty.

For a more casual look, consider adding a series of pendants over the island or dining area. Other kitchen lighting ideas include sconces, uplights, and strips that can be placed on the ceiling or in cabinetry for an instant upgrade. Toe kick lights can also add a stylish, eye-catching touch to the underside of cabinets and the space between base cabinets and the floor for instant ambiance. A simple DIY project that can dramatically enhance a room’s ambiance is installing dimmer switches. These switches allow you to adjust the brightness of your kitchen fixtures and create the right mood for any occasion.

Kitchen Remodel – How to Design a Functional and Beautiful Space

Thomas Bailey

Kitchen Remodel involves crucial alterations to the layout and workflow of the space, including expanding storage capacity and improving efficiency. It also addresses aesthetics to transform the overall look of the room.

Start by evaluating your daily functions and how the current kitchen works for you. This will guide your decisions about everything from countertops to faucets. Contact Kitchen Remodel Tacoma now!

The layout of your kitchen determines its functionality and efficiency, as well as how the space flows. Layouts are generally based on one of the following basic shapes: L-Shape, G-Shape, U-Shape, Galley, and Single-Wall. Hybrid kitchen layouts are also available, which provide a tailored balance of aesthetics and functionality based on the needs of the owner.

A popular choice for small spaces, the L-shaped kitchen includes workspaces on two adjacent walls running perpendicular to each other to form an L shape. This design minimizes the distance between the sink, stove, and refrigerator, ensuring the most efficient work triangle possible. If the space allows, consider adding an island to the layout for extra storage and counterspace.

The G-shape layout combines the efficiency of an L-shaped kitchen with the added functionality of a peninsula. This kitchen layout works well when the space opens up to a casual living area, such as a family room or dining area. If you choose this layout, ensure that the entryway is wide enough to manage traffic flow and prevent congestion in the space. In addition, this layout typically involves corner cabinets, which can be difficult to access and may require specialized solutions like lazy susans.

A one-wall kitchen consolidates all countertops, appliances, and cabinets on a single wall, making it an ideal option for narrow rooms. However, a one-wall kitchen can feel cramped and closed in without smart space planning. To make the most of the space, consider installing tall cabinets to the ceiling to maximize storage capacity and utilize specialized storage solutions for items you don’t use frequently, such as drawer dividers for cutlery and utensils or spice racks.

Storage

The right storage solution can turn a chaotic kitchen into an organized, functional and beautiful space. Achieving that level of organization typically involves thoughtfully maximizing all three zones of kitchen storage, and that’s usually best accomplished with the help of a professional.

Whether it’s a pantry with pullout shelves or an island that doubles as a prep station, there are plenty of kitchen storage ideas to consider when planning your remodel. The most effective approach will take into consideration your cooking habits and the overall flow of the room. For instance, placing dishes and glassware storage near the dishwasher or refrigerator makes sense because it’s where you tend to put them when you’re finished.

A cluttered or disorganized kitchen can easily get out of hand, and one of the best ways to prevent it is by ensuring that every dish, glass, and spice jar has its own home. Adding extra storage can be as simple as including clear bins in your pantry or incorporating dividers into drawers where you store plates, bowls, and utensils.

Another great storage idea is to include hooks in a shallow cabinet that faces a mudroom or entryway so that you can hang up bags, coats and umbrellas. This eliminates clutter and provides a handy spot to grab items before you head out the door. In addition, adding a retractable lazy suzan to a corner cabinet can make it easier to reach pots and pans by eliminating the need to bend over. This is especially helpful in tight spaces where tall cabinets may not be an option.

Countertops

Countertops are a key focal point for any kitchen and a great place to express personal style. Updating them with a new surface can refresh the room and even escalate its value. However, there are a lot of factors to consider, from budget to durability. Here are some tips to help you choose the right countertop for your project.

For traditionalists, nothing can beat the classic elegance of natural stone countertops like granite or marble. They pair nicely with ornate cabinetry and elegant fixtures to create a timeless kitchen stage. These countertops are durable and easy to clean, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.

Futurists and modernists favor the sleek, uncluttered look of stainless steel countertops. These countertops are a practical choice for busy kitchens, as they are nonporous and resistant to heat and scratches. They also offer a wide range of color and pattern options to suit your aesthetic preferences.

If you’re an eco-conscious trendsetter, consider recycled glass or concrete countertops. These surfaces are a popular option for contemporary kitchens as they can be recycled and repurposed at the end of their lifecycle. They also work well in a wide range of aesthetic styles, from rustic to industrial.

Wooden countertops are another green option. They can be crafted in a variety of ways, from joined planks to single-wide staves. They are a natural, sustainable material that is hygienic and warm to the touch. They can be oiled or waxed to protect them from water and stains, although this will increase the maintenance requirements. Wooden countertops should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after contact with raw meats to ensure hygiene. Adding an accent color to your countertops with wood stools or tea kettles can add a rustic charm to any kitchen.

Appliances

The kitchen is a central hub where families spend most of their time and serves as the space for gatherings with friends and loved ones. It is also where meals are prepared and shared, so it is important to design a functional space that meets your family’s needs. This requires careful planning, from selecting the right appliances to creating a well-organized layout and incorporating all of the essential elements that make up a well-designed kitchen.

Appliances represent a significant share of global energy consumption and emissions. They are responsible for a wide variety of environmental impacts, including air and water pollution, ozone depletion, climate change, and other health hazards. Fortunately, these impacts can be mitigated by improving the efficiency of appliances and switching to low-carbon electricity.

In addition to reducing operating costs and saving energy, choosing appliances that are energy efficient provides significant monetary savings through reduced utility bills over time. These appliances are designed with features that optimize performance and minimize energy use, making them a win-win solution for homeowners and the environment.

Another trend in kitchen appliances is the rise of smart technology. These devices connect to the Internet, allowing users to monitor and control their appliances remotely through smartphones or tablet apps. They can help streamline cooking processes and enhance precision, providing a more interactive culinary experience. However, relying too much on smart appliances may lead to a loss of basic cooking skills, so it’s important to strike a balance between using these devices and maintaining fundamental cooking knowledge. It is also important to consider data privacy and cybersecurity when purchasing smart appliances. Lastly, these devices can be expensive to purchase and maintain, so it is essential to consider these factors before committing to any upgrades.

Lighting

A well-lit kitchen can make a big difference in the way you feel about your space. Whether you are entertaining guests or preparing dinner, lighting options allow you to create a beautiful and functional atmosphere that will help to boost your mood.

Light color, intensity, and wattage are all important factors to consider when choosing kitchen light fixtures. Cooler colors are ideal for workspaces and task areas, while warmer colors are better suited to dining spaces and creating a comfortable atmosphere. Layering your lighting is also important for a balanced design scheme. Mixing ambient, task, and accent lighting can add depth to your kitchen.

Kitchen pendant lighting is a versatile kitchen light idea that can be both decorative and practical. Rather than opting for a single fixture, choose two or more pendants in different sizes and styles to create a more eclectic look. In this kitchen, an assortment of five varying-sized pendants from Rothschild & Bickers adds a touch of personality to the sleek and contemporary space.

Track lighting is another kitchen light idea that allows you to highlight key features and create a more dramatic effect in your space. In this kitchen, a series of track lights are directed upwards to illuminate the ceiling and emphasize the architecture of the space.

Having an updated kitchen can be a major selling point when you are looking to buy or sell your home. Prospective homebuyers often prioritize modernized kitchens and upgrading your kitchen is an affordable option to increase the value of your property. If you are considering a kitchen remodel, work with a reputable and experienced team of professionals to ensure that your project runs smoothly and efficiently from start to finish.