Kitchens are the most popular rooms to remodel according to the National Association of Home Builders. They’re the heart and soul of the family and often a gathering place for guests. They’re also a pretty good return on investment when it comes to resale value. But a kitchen renovation is a lot of work, even if you’re not doing it yourself, so we’ve come up with a list of some big considerations you’ll want to keep in mind while tackling your kitchen remodel.
Appliances
Appliances are usually top of mind when doing a kitchen remodel. It’s all about getting rid of old, clunky pieces and getting top-of-the-line appliances with the new bells and whistles. The biggest thing to keep in mind when purchasing appliances is your budget. Bells and whistles are expensive, and they add up quickly. Take the time to examine trends and invest in ones that will actually improve your kitchen experience. It takes discipline—but then you can funnel more of your budget into aesthetics.
Cabinetry
From a practical standpoint, cabinetry is the next consideration in a kitchen remodel. For a long time, it was all about form and getting the right color or wood finish. Finally, function is a huge part of the cabinet equation. You can now customize your cupboards and drawers to fit your lifestyle. Want a built-in wine rack? Easily done. A pull-out pantry? No problem. Drawers for plates and heavy pots and pans? Check.
Customized kitchen storage can streamline the entire experience, but it takes some thought and planning to get it just right. Luckily, our experts at A&S are pros at listening to what you want and need and coming up with the best solutions. Call, email, or stop in our showroom and we’ll help you craft your own, customized kitchen cabinets.
Countertops
Next up – countertops. You’re going to need a top for your cabinets and fantastic counters are essential. But what type of counters do you get? This is where it gets tricky. You can choose granite, marble, limestone, quartzite, quartz, porcelain, wood butcher block, and more. How do you choose and which one?
First of all, you don’t have to select just one countertop. Many of our clients are opting for two different materials, one for the counters and a different material for an island. Mixing and matching creates a very cool design aesthetic and gives different areas of the kitchen different personalities and areas for specific work, like prep or dining.
Secondly, each option has its own look and benefits. Some counters are maintenance-free, which are perfect for busy families who have a lot going on. Others require a bit of maintenance but they’re worth it because of elegance and luxury. Learning about the qualities of different counters will help you narrow your selection. Then we recommend an in-person visit to our showroom to examine the different slabs so you get a real feel for how they look before making a decision.
Tile
In the past, tile was often low on the list of kitchen remodel considerations. That’s all changed. Tile is taking center stage and moving from just being underfoot to dramatic backsplashes, entire accent walls, and as a focal point on kitchen islands. Not only are you seeing more tile in the kitchen, you’re seeing dynamic options.
Because of the huge leap in tile options, we’re seeing far more creativity and flexibility. We highly suggest doing a little research to see the interesting ways interior decorators are pairing colors and shapes to create unexpected drama. Once you’ve narrowed down what you like and the tiles that catch your eye, we’re happy to introduce you to the real thing and help turn your kitchen tile into customized artwork.
Fixtures
You can’t forget the new fixtures when you’re doing your kitchen remodel. From restaurant-style faucets to eye-catching sinks, fixtures can make a space. The right fixtures add a finishing touch that blends seamlessly into the aesthetic and complements it. A poor choice can derail all the work you’ve put into your dream kitchen.
Our tip when it comes to kitchen fixtures is to avoid the temptation to jump on the current trends and really explore the positives and negatives of the options in front of you. Some fixtures are easy to swap out if you don’t like them and are relatively inexpensive while others (like an undermount sink) are a more permanent part of your kitchen and deserve as much consideration as any other structural element gets.
Hardware
Hardware is a fun part of the kitchen remodel experience because it’s a finishing touch that customizes your space. Whether you love a sleek, minimal aesthetic or you want to show off your eclectic side, hardware is a great way to do it. It’s also easy to change and relatively inexpensive, so you have a lot of future flexibility here.
Lighting
One tip we think is important when doing a kitchen renovation is not to skip the lighting. This is something a lot of people put on the back burner because they already have kitchen lighting. That’s a missed opportunity.
As any Hollywood set director will tell you, lighting is everything. Your new kitchen deserves lighting that’s chosen specifically to highlight certain features, complement the aesthetic, and provide task lighting where necessary. We understand the temptation to skip this step but putting it near the top of your list will dramatically increase your satisfaction with the finished product.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot to consider in your kitchen renovation, but there’s a lot to love when you finally see the results. Not only does your hard work become a focal point of your home, it increases your enjoyment. It’s all worth it in the long run and we’d be happy to help you every step of the way.
