Remodeling your kitchen is a great way to add space to your cooking area while making it much more comfortable as well. The kitchen is considered the heart of the home, and it should be an inviting place for families to gather and spend time together.
Even if you plan on staying in your home forever, it is a good idea to incorporate kitchen decorating themes that will be practical and appealing years from now – just in case you decide to sell in the future.
As you may well know, kitchen and bathroom renovations are among the home improvements that provide the most value for your budget. If you’re ready to find out what improvement options are available within your budget, we’re always here to help you explore the possibilities.
When it comes to a kitchen remodel, you have several options to choose from. Your remodel can include anything from improving the overall layout of the kitchen to adding storage to updating appliances, counters, and/or décor.
When creating your bathroom remodeling plan, don’t forget about the bathtub. We offer complete refinishing and restoration services to make your tub look like new again.
Have kitchen appliances or equipment that you’d rather keep hidden? Ask your contractor about roll-top or flip-up cabinet doors, which open vertically and allow you to hide can openers, mixers, and coffee pots while keeping them on the counter and accessible for frequent use.
A great way to add storage and counter space to your kitchen is with a kitchen island or peninsula. Design your island so that it includes hidden cabinets and maybe even some open shelves for cookbooks.
Lighting is an important consideration in a kitchen remodel. A brighter kitchen is often a key point. Lighting can be designed for under counters, in the ceilings and over workspaces in a variety of styles and often with environmentally friendly options.
In larger, wealthy medieval European homes, it was common for there to be more than one kitchen, and sometimes even three kitchens, divided based on the types of food being prepared in each.
If you were strolling around the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, you probably saw the display for a newfangled cleaning machine - the dishwasher. The device was invented by Josephine Cochran, the granddaughter of the inventor of the steamboat. She was reportedly motivated to create a device that would clean her China without any chips and cracks.
After you know the start date of your remodel, you can prepare the area that’s going to be renovated by emptying cabinets, removing furniture, and protecting stationary items. By doing this work yourself you can save money and allow your contractor to come right in and go to work.
Does your family regularly like to eat in the kitchen or do you often entertain there? If so, then countertop seating at an island or some sort of built-in seating arrangement is a great option for your kitchen remodel.
If it’s your turn to host the family holiday gatherings at your house this year, you may want to start planning your remodel now. Since kitchens are favorite gathering places, yours will be getting lots of attention.
If you like more privacy when you are cooking a meal, then consider an L-shaped layout for your kitchen remodel. This type of configuration in the kitchen will give you the space you need, as it forces traffic out of the work area.
If you and your spouse both work a similar schedule, you may find that every morning is a competition for space in your cramped bathroom. A bathroom renovation could give you the space you need for both of you to get out the door on time each day.
If you're painting your kitchen during your remodel, consider low VOC paints, which make them safer all around. These are paints that have little to no odor to aggravate allergies or illness and come in a wide variety of colors and finishes.
Remember, a bathroom renovation will be less expensive if you work with the existing plumbing you have. For example, it is more expensive to install a new shower on a wall that previously did not have a shower or bathtub.
Remodeling a kitchen can be a huge undertaking. Realize this is a process that takes time. If you're doing a complete remodel, your kitchen could be completely unusable for more than a week and under construction for longer.
When planning a kitchen remodel, embrace the architectural elements that already exist in the space. While they may at first seem out of place in your overall design scheme, they can add character to the overall effect.
When installing a hardwood floor, choose a type of wood and finish that best complements both the décor of the room and the way the room is used. For instance, choose a durable finish in a kitchen area, and select a lighter wood in order to make tight spaces appear bigger.
Before you begin a bathroom remodel, spend a significant amount of time mapping out how much space you have and how you'd like to use it. Since bathrooms are usually smaller rooms, it makes sense to plan out everything in advance to maximize the effectiveness of your renovation.
It’s important to remember that renovations to any room with plumbing have the potential for unexpected delays. If you need your kitchen ready to go in time for a gathering at your home, it’s smart to start your renovation as soon as possible.
Designers are reinterpreting the ever-popular cottage kitchen look with new elements. Consider mixing black paneled cabinets with mid-toned stone countertops and add versatile fixtures like goose-necked faucets with pullout sprays for the perfect finishing touch.
Want the look of granite countertops in your newly remodeled kitchen without the expense? Choose a laminate countertop that mimics the look of granite for a fraction of the price. Ask about adding a beveled edge to increase the authenticity of the look.