Unless you change the kitchen’s footprint, most remodeling costs are largely related to material and labor. Experts recommend setting a realistic budget and sticking to it, avoiding features requiring major plumbing or gas line rerouting that will drive up expenses.
Before starting any renovation work, clear out the space to make way for contractors and protect valuables from dust. Next, review your building’s alteration agreement to determine what is allowed. Contact Richmond Va Kitchen Remodeling now!
Cabinets are one of the most expensive components of a kitchen remodel. If you’re planning to replace yours, you’ll want to spend time reviewing design trends, as well as cabinet door styles and colors. Ultimately, you’ll need to decide on an overall color palette to guide your decisions about appliances, counters and wall paint or wallpaper.
Cabinet boxes, which are constructed of either plywood or MDF and then finished with a wood veneer or solid-surface material like acrylic or solid surface, are the foundation of your cabinets. You’ll also need to choose the style and size of doors, drawers and shelving to complete your kitchen design.
While the obvious choice is to keep your existing cabinets, you may be able to add storage solutions that will make them more functional and attractive. For example, adding a lazy susan shelf that rotates allows items at the back of your cabinets to be easily retrieved. Other useful options include pull-out trash cans, roll-out trays for pots and pans, cutlery drawers and spice racks.
A kitchen remodeling contractor can help you select the right cabinets for your space. They can also install custom shelves and other accessories to maximize the space in your cabinetry.
If you want to give your kitchen a more contemporary look, consider white cabinetry. This color is popular because it brightens a room and creates a clean, open feel. You can also incorporate other contemporary elements, such as a floating island and patterned backsplashes, into your design. For example, Klein Kitchen and Bath remodeled this Upper West Side kitchen to showcase modern finishes and details, such as patterned backsplashes and paneled walls. They also installed new custom cabinets, high-end fixtures and a custom hood to complement the original architecture.
Countertops can make or break a kitchen design, so it’s important to pick the right surface for your space. New countertops cost an average of $1,200 and are one of the most common upgrades homeowners make during a kitchen remodel. Whether you’re looking for classic quartz or eclectic recycled glass, there are many different options available.
Granite is a popular option, offering both elegance and durability. This natural stone is heat and stain-resistant and can withstand scratches. It comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns and can enhance nearly any kitchen design. Granite is an expensive material, however, and requires regular sealing to prevent stains.
Marble is another popular choice, as it adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen design. This durable material is a bit more porous, meaning it’s susceptible to stains and needs to be sealed regularly. It also comes in a wide variety of color and pattern options, making it an affordable choice for most kitchens.
Laminate is a synthetic material that offers an inexpensive countertop option and can be made to effectively mimic the look of stone or wood. Recent advancements in printing technology have allowed laminate to be produced in a number of designs and edge styles that can give it a more high-end appearance. Homeowners who are looking for an upgrade can even find laminate that looks like quartz or granite.
Concrete, solid surface and quartz are other low-cost countertop options that offer a variety of style and color choices. Stainless steel countertops provide a modern look and are germ-resistant, though they’re more costly than most other materials and require professional installation. If you’re considering a more long-term investment, wood counters like butcherblock and crafted wooden slabs are an eco-friendly and attractive choice.
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the right flooring for your kitchen. Durability is one of the most important factors, as kitchens are often busy areas with heavy foot traffic and furniture. Water resistance is also essential, since kitchens are frequently wet from spills and cooking activities. Lastly, you want to consider your personal style and taste. There are plenty of choices to consider, from natural hardwoods and linoleum to vinyl and tile.
Hardwood floors are a popular choice for kitchens, as they’re softer underfoot, have a classic appearance, and can be sanded and refinished if they become worn or damaged. However, they can be expensive and may require more maintenance than other materials, such as needing to be resealed regularly.
Laminate is an excellent alternative to hardwood floors, as it’s durable and water resistant. It’s a multi-layer product consisting of fiberboard and resin with a photographic image layer applied on top. Laminate flooring comes in planks that can be secured together either through gluing or floating, making it easy for homeowners to install themselves.
Tile is a common kitchen flooring material, and it offers plenty of design options. Ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles come in a variety of colors and sizes to fit with any design theme. Tile is a good choice for kitchens, as it’s water-resistant and easy to clean.
Brick flooring may seem like an odd choice for a kitchen, but this tough material is a great option for those who want to add an industrial aesthetic to their home. This material is heat-resistant and abrasive-resistant, and it can be refinished to make it look new again.
When it comes to kitchen remodeling, lighting is one of the most important factors. The right mix of lighting types, placements and colors can make the difference between a dark, uninviting space and a beautiful and functional kitchen. For the best results, create a layered lighting design by using a combination of ambient, task and accent lights.
Ambient lighting is typically provided by fixtures that hang from the ceiling. These can include surface light fixtures such as single, mushroom-shaped fixtures or more sophisticated flush mount fixture with LED bulbs. This type of lighting illuminates the general room and is designed to make it comfortable and inviting to spend time in the kitchen.
Task lighting is used to illuminate work surfaces and can be placed in areas where food prep takes place, such as over counters and on islands. These lights can also be installed under upper cabinets to help illuminate the interiors. These fixtures should be bright enough to provide ample illumination without creating harsh shadows on the workspace.
Accent lighting can be used to highlight decorative elements or to draw attention to a focal point on the wall or in the center of an island. These fixtures can be in the form of pendants, sconces or even track lights. For the best results, it is recommended to use LED lights because they provide more lumens and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
The best way to plan your lighting is to partner with a professional kitchen remodeler. Not only will they have the experience and eye to help you choose the right fixtures, but they can also help ensure that the electrical wiring is correct and up to code. They can also handle the often complicated and potentially dangerous job of rewiring an existing kitchen and can recommend trusted subcontractors to complete this work if necessary.
If you aren’t happy with your kitchen layout or your appliances, a full kitchen remodel might be the answer. This type of remodel often involves tearing out walls, replacing floors and countertops, adding an island or more cabinetry, and upgrading appliances to new models with energy-saving features. Kitchen remodeling is a big job that requires careful planning, design and contracting services to execute properly.
While kitchen remodels aren’t cheap, they can add value to a home and improve functionality and the aesthetic of the space. During the initial planning stages, identify what you don’t like about your current kitchen and how you hope to fix it with a remodel. This will help you narrow down your project options, establish a budget and set realistic expectations.
Major appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers and cooktops, have a huge impact on the look and feel of a kitchen. These pieces can be purchased in standard or commercial sizes to fit your layout, and come in a variety of designs, colors and textures to complement any style.
Upgrading smaller appliances is another way to add personality and on-trend style to a kitchen. Small appliance accessories, such as range hoods, cooktop vents and built-in ovens, are available in many different finishes and on-trend colors to suit any taste.
When it comes to selecting an appliance, choose one that matches the finish of your cabinets and other cabinetry components. If your appliances are metal, opt for a panel ready model that allows a custom front to be installed on the appliance to match the cabinetry. This will ensure that your new kitchen looks refined for years to come, even as styles change.
