A kitchen renovation can add extra storage, a designated food pantry, or new lighting. It can also include new floor tile and countertops. For more information visit Home Remodel Contractors Tacoma.
A larger transformation involves taking down walls and possibly relocating plumbing and electrical. Unless you’re a skilled DIYer, a kitchen remodel should be left to contractors.
The kitchen is where many important family activities take place, from cooking and cleaning to eating, entertaining, chatting, and scheduling. Because the kitchen is so central to a home, it’s important that its layout works well for the family and that it’s visually appealing.
The first step in a kitchen renovation is determining what layout will work best for the space. There are many different configurations, but the most common options fall into one of four categories:
Galley kitchens, in which all cabinets and appliances line up along a single wall, are ideal for apartments and tight spaces. These kitchens often connect to other rooms, such as a dining area or family room, and offer plenty of storage.
When choosing a kitchen design, it’s also important to consider other elements beyond cabinetry and countertops, such as lighting, flooring, and backsplash tile. She also suggests using recessed lights on a dimmer switch for ambient, moody lighting after dark. And remember accent lighting, such as pendants and chandeliers. They’re a great way to add personality to your kitchen. Lastly, she always incorporates under-cabinet lighting for both task and ambiance. This helps create the “work triangle,” a comfortable working space.
If you’re upgrading appliances during your kitchen renovation, consider your options carefully. The best new fridges and ovens are designed to look as good as they function, but you don’t have to limit yourself to the most expensive models to get a premium upgrade.
High-end finishes like marble countertops and luxury kitchen cabinets increase resale value and last longer than less-expensive alternatives. Choosing durable, timeless designs allows you to adapt your kitchen for future owners’ tastes without paying for another remodel.
Besides a practical kitchen that fulfills your everyday needs, a kitchen remodel is the perfect time to include some personal touches. If you’re a wine drinker, for example, you could build a walk-in wine cellar. Or, if you’re a fan of baking, consider adding a double oven to your kitchen. But be careful not to over-customize your kitchen, as a kitchen that is too personalized may limit its appeal to buyers when you eventually decide to sell the house.
Finally, remember to add new lighting to your kitchen. Pendant lights over a bar or kitchen island, new dimmers, and even a chandelier can transform your lighting from dull to dynamic. Choose LED ceiling lights for a modern touch that saves on energy costs. Likewise, open shelving offers an easy and low-cost way to upgrade your storage while keeping everything within reach.
Cabinets are one of the biggest showstopping features in any kitchen. While updating them, consider how they can work with your other design elements. For example, if you’re going with a bold color on your countertops, consider contrasting that with an equally vibrant shade on your cabinets.
Aside from color, the material and finish of your cabinets have a huge impact on the overall design. Your kitchen renovation specialist can help you make the right decisions to suit your style.
Whether you want closed or open storage, there are many different options. Closed cabinets are great for tucking away functional must-haves, while available storage (like shelves or see-through cabinets) lets you showcase your prettiest wares.
The interior and shelf surfaces of your cabinets should be non-porous to extend their lifespan without staining or bubbling. The standard interior surface is melamine, but there are a wide variety of other options available as well.
It’s easy to get caught up in your aesthetic, but remember that a remodel should also enhance resale value. Over-customizing your kitchen can limit its appeal to a narrow range of buyers. For this reason, it’s important to find a balance between your personal preferences and what will be appreciated by the majority of potential buyers in the future.
Countertops are a major part of the kitchen and play a critical role in its function. They should be attractive durable, and provide plenty of space for food prep and cooking utensils. In addition, they should complement the cabinets and other appliances for a cohesive look. The type of countertop you choose will depend largely on your aesthetic preferences and the amount of use the counters will get.
There are many materials to consider when selecting the perfect countertops, but each has benefits and drawbacks. If you’re looking for a sleek, modern look, quartz and solid surface countertops are a great choice. Marble and granite are more traditional options that can add a touch of elegance to your home. Stainless steel counters are also an option that is heat-resistant and easy to clean. They develop a unique, appealing patina over time that can give your kitchen an antique feel.
Laminate counters are a good option for homeowners on a budget. They can resemble other, more expensive countertop materials such as granite and quartz. However, they can be susceptible to stains and scratches, especially around high-moisture areas such as the sink or dishwasher. If you opt for laminate counters, we recommend using a cutting board when preparing food and never placing hot pans directly on the surface. This will help prevent scuffs and scratches.
A kitchen floor should withstand heavy foot traffic, spills, and other everyday wear and tear. You also need the flooring to resist heat, moisture, and staining. Choose a durable material that complements your design theme and suits the look of the space.
Tile is a classic option that’s easy to clean and comes in many styles and colors. Consider ceramic or porcelain tile or natural stone tiles like marble, slate, and travertine if you’re willing to pay a premium for their durability.
Concrete flooring might sound too industrial for a homey kitchen, but it’s an affordable, low-maintenance choice that can be stained or stamped to look like tile, wood, or stone. It can also be sealed to be almost entirely waterproof (although mats are still recommended near the sink or dishwasher).
Hardwood floors are a popular choice, but this material needs to be carefully treated and maintained to resist moisture damage. A more practical alternative is engineered hardwood, composed to resist warping due to moisture and can be laminated to make it easier to maintain.
Bamboo is another sustainable option for the kitchen, and it can be arranged in a classic parquet pattern to create a stylish effect. It’s available as individual blocks or in engineered planks that snap together. Cork is a relatively new flooring material, and it’s eco-friendly with a soft feel underfoot that absorbs sound.
The lighting in your kitchen can make or break the overall look and feel of the room. It’s important to understand how you and your family use the kitchen before deciding what lighting fixtures and bulbs to install.
Whether doing an entire kitchen renovation or just swapping out countertop appliances and painting the cabinets, lighting is one of the most impactful upgrades to make your kitchen more beautiful and functional. Using the right light will set the tone and provide an inviting space for gathering, cooking, and eating.
General lighting in a kitchen is usually accomplished by installing standard ceiling fixtures such as recessed lights that sit inside shallow openings in the ceiling or flush-mount or semi-flush-mount fixtures that are affixed to the ceiling with a small gap between the fixture and the ceiling. Decorative pendant lights are also a great option for adding general lighting to your kitchen, as they can work double-duty as both ambient and task lighting.
For specific lighting over a counter or other workspace, it is recommended that you use lighting strips and recessed lights that have high CRI (color rendering index) ratings. This ensures that the light illuminates objects accurately and makes them look their best, especially when slicing vegetables or mixing up cocktails. You want your food to be as delicious as possible.
