A kitchen remodel is a big investment, but it can add significant value to your home. Prospective buyers tend to place a high premium on functional, updated kitchens.
A successful kitchen remodel requires careful planning and consideration of budget, function and timeline. Keep an eye on emerging trends in kitchen design, and make sure to think through your family’s specific needs and workflow when putting together your plans. Contact By Design Kitchen Remodeling of Tacoma now!
In a kitchen remodeling project, the layout is the fundamental design component that determines how the room functions and interacts with adjacent rooms and corridors. This can affect everything from work zone definitions to circulation patterns. There are a number of different kitchen layout ideas that can be implemented depending on the physical characteristics of the space and how the homeowners use the room.
For instance, kitchens with an L-shaped layout allow for more workspace and efficiency by allowing the cook to move easily from one side of the room to the other. Alternatively, a P-shaped arrangement allows for a countertop extension to create zones in the room without requiring much floor space.
Another common reason for a kitchen remodel is to update the look and style of the room. This can include incorporating smart home technology, adding state-of-the-art appliances, or upgrading the cabinetry. While these changes are often cosmetic, they can also increase the value of the home.
School lunch kitchen layouts must be efficient in order to make the most of limited resources and space. In this way, kitchens must be designed to provide a straight-line flow of food preparation with no unnecessary backtracking. This type of arrangement also helps to reduce the cost of labor, which is often a major expense in schools.
The final consideration is the budget. A full kitchen remodel involves significant structural changes and may involve tearing down walls, relocating plumbing and electrical lines, and combining two rooms into one enlarged space. This type of renovation can be very expensive, so it is important to keep in mind the budget when planning for a kitchen remodel. It is also helpful to remember that over-customizing the kitchen can limit future homebuyers, so it is best to choose features and designs that will appeal to a wide range of people.
Appliances
Appliances can make up a significant portion of any kitchen remodel, and choosing the right models to fit your lifestyle is a key part of the design process. Energy efficiency, quality, size and capacity, and warranty are all important factors to consider.
Often, the best appliances are hidden from view, and they blend seamlessly with cabinetry to create a clean aesthetic. Hidden appliances also tend to offer more advanced features than traditional stand-alone models, such as sensor cooking and convection/grilling options. These features can help you cook and bake with better results while saving time, and they’re especially useful in open-plan living spaces where kitchen appliances may be in view of the dining or living room.
It’s important to discuss your appliance preferences with your designer at the beginning of your kitchen remodeling project, so you know what to look for at the cabinet showroom. It’s also important to avoid purchasing any appliances until your design is finalized, as you might want to change your mind once you see the space and what the cabinetry will look like with them in place.
While some homeowners use the terms “remodeling” and “renovation” interchangeably, they actually represent two distinct processes with different goals and objectives. Kitchen remodeling involves changing the layout or structure of a kitchen, and it’s typically more comprehensive than renovation. It can involve removing walls, expanding the floor plan, and installing new fixtures, and it’s designed to improve functionality and aesthetics in response to the homeowner’s unique needs and preferences.
Countertops
Kitchen countertops are much more than a flat prep surface; they’re also the focal point and an opportunity to showcase your design style. Choose from a wide variety of materials to complement your cabinets, flooring and other features of the room. Do you want a natural material like marble or granite, or would engineered quartz work best for your family’s needs? Once you’ve narrowed your options, think about how the color and finish of the counters will impact your overall kitchen look.
Granite countertops are still a popular option thanks to their classic beauty and durability. This natural stone has a varied, organic appearance with colors and patterns that are unique to each slab. However, it requires more care than quartz to maintain its luster — wiping up spills quickly and keeping a sealing schedule in place is essential.
Another top choice for new countertops is tile. This budget-friendly material comes in a wide array of styles from traditional squares to subway tiles and trendy hexagons. Some ceramic tile countertop designs have grout seams, which can make them difficult to keep clean and looking fresh. However, new porcelain and ceramic tile countertops are available in larger sizes that reduce the number of seams and therefore make them easier to wipe down.
For an eye-catching new look, paint your cabinets a bright, bold color to energize your space and bring out the colors in your countertops. For example, white painted cabinets pair well with light marble or sage green countertops for a look that’s both classic and current. Or, for a timeless kitchen, consider reclaimed wood or butcher block counters.
Cabinets
Cabinets are the backbone of a kitchen remodel, shaping both style and functionality. From classic cabinet styles like shaker and flat panel to specialized options like pantry and corner cabinets, there are endless possibilities to customize storage solutions that align with homeowners’ unique preferences and practical needs.
For example, wood cabinet doors can be characterized by manufactured imperfections, such as rasping, dings, and dents, to create an aged look. Or, a more contemporary look can be achieved by using a sleek, unadorned door finish. Meanwhile, special hardware such as push to open mechanisms allow cabinets to be opened without the need for handles. In addition, specialty hardware for blind corner and other hidden cabinets makes them easier to access by allowing them to be moved laterally and forward/backwards.
Kitchen cabinet design and layout are often determined by the kitchen’s overall floor plan or one of its primary shapes, such as an L-shaped, U-shaped, galley, or one-wall layout. In addition, a homeowner may choose to make use of the cabinet’s interior space by adding shelving or implementing a custom pantry.
The ideal number of cabinets varies from kitchen to kitchen, but a thoughtful planning process should prioritize both functional and aesthetics. This will ensure that a kitchen has enough storage to accommodate all necessary items while still leaving room for other features, such as dramatic backsplashes and windows, to add visual interest. A well-considered arrangement can also make the kitchen appear larger, particularly if wall cabinets are used to maximize vertical space. This is often a popular option in small kitchens. This arrangement is less common in large kitchens, where many homeowners prefer open shelving or a “no upper cabinets” look to achieve a more spacious feel.
Flooring
The flooring is one of the most important factors to consider when planning a kitchen remodel. It can be a significant part of the cost of the project and affects both comfort and the look of the room for years to come. The type of material chosen depends on the needs of your family and lifestyle. If you have kids or pets or live in a cold climate, you’ll want something durable that will hold up to the elements. If you love to cook, it’s essential to have a comfortable surface on which to stand while you prepare meals.
Some common flooring materials for kitchens include cork, vinyl, linoleum and hardwood. These options offer a variety of aesthetics and are durable and easy to clean. If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option, natural stone tile is available in a range of styles and can be sealed to resist water damage.
Bamboo floors are growing in popularity for their beauty and durability. They’re made from bamboo strips bonded together and come in three varieties: strand, engineered and solid. They’re similar to hardwood and are moisture-resistant.
Concrete is another low-cost option that’s very durable and can be stained to mimic the appearance of marble, slate or wood. However, it can stain easily, so it’s not recommended for a high-moisture area like the kitchen.
