Are you looking to spruce up your kitchen?
Your home is your most valuable asset, and likely one of your most prized too. It's only natural to want to make it look its best with a great design. And as the kitchen is the heart of any home, it's even more natural for this to be the priority.
But when it comes to remodeling a kitchen, it's not all about how it looks. You need it to function for its intended purpose and that's where things can get a little tricky.
Don't worry though, we're here to help! Keep reading for these 6 kitchen remodeling tips for a kitchen you'll love and that works for your needs.
1. Set Your Budget & Stick to It
One of the best tips for remodeling your kitchen is to set a budget and stick to it. You don't need to break the bank to remodel your kitchen. But if you're doing a kitchen remodel on a budget, you need to plan a little more.For a complete remodel, you're looking at about 10-15% of your home's value. This is the figure to aim for, as it ensures you get the quality and longevity, but you won't spend too much.
You also need to factor into your budget a little room for unexpected expenses. Sometimes, you may need work on the wiring or the plumbing, so make sure you have the wiggle room.
2. Make Function a Priority
Another of the best kitchen remodeling tips is to think about how you're using the space. You want to make it efficient and easy to use, as a priority. When people see a large empty room, they often think more is more.In the end, they make decisions like widening the gap between the island and the counters. But it takes more effort to move between the two, reducing the efficiency of the kitchen.
Cooking and cleaning become more difficult, needing more effort. While you want your kitchen to be light and spacious, you need to set the balance between form and function.
A great tip for larger and smaller kitchens is to use a working triangle design. You should arrange the sink, range, and fridge in an equilateral triangle if you map them out in a plan.
In your kitchen when you use it, those are the 3 main areas you'll need most. As such, it makes life easier for them to be an equal distance away from each other.
Plan your layout around this triangle from there. If you like to speak with guests as you cook, consider having the range facing them. Likewise, if you spend more time at the sink use this as the main point instead.
3. Use the Right Lighting
When you're remodeling a kitchen, lighting is one of the most important considerations. In fact, finding the right lighting is one of the top small kitchen remodeling tips.For most people, the first choice is choosing recessed lighting. Instead, though, consider surface-mounted fixtures on your ceiling forming a grid.
The bulb sits below the ceiling level, giving a brighter, more even light. It ends up looking less stark and surgical compared to recessed options. And with smaller kitchens, the brighter the better as it helps create an illusion of space.
Over islands, consider a hanging light fixture as more of a statement piece. This provides more directional, practical light and ties in your design aesthetics.
For cabinets, remember that they can block out some of the natural and artificial light. As such, consider some under-cabinet lighting to brighten the countertops back up.
4. Choose the Right Cabinets
Cabinets will take up a lot of wall space in your kitchen (and space in general). Don't let them be an afterthought, use them as the perfect opportunity to inject your style into the space.If you have a smaller space, sometimes darker cabinets can make it look smaller and darker. For larger spaces, they can make them feel cozy and get rid of that empty feeling open spaces can have.
The right kitchen cabinets will also help make your cooking process much easier. For example, some people find it bothersome to open cabinet doors and decide against them.
If it's easier for you to see everything and know immediately where your utensils are, this could work. And this more rustic, farmhouse approach to cabinets has been growing in popularity.
Don't forget an exhaust hood for your range. This performs the crucial function of ventilating your kitchen while you're cooking.
For the lower counters, it's a good idea to include 2-3 deep drawers. This will help you organize and store larger items like pots and pans. You can pull out a large stack if you need to, and nothing gets stuck.
5. Consider the Stove a Statement Piece
The most used and visible appliance in your kitchen is the stove. Most designers say if you can only replace one thing in your kitchen, let it be the stove first.You can get them in a variety of styles and colors to suit all designs and budgets. As well as the physical stove itself, think about the surrounding areas. It's a good idea to give some counter space.
This way, as you're cooking and using it, you have somewhere to put utensils, plates, and ingredients. You can save time and effort, instead of moving around the kitchen to get it as and when you need it.
6. Get the Right Countertops
Another of the top kitchen remodel tips is getting the right kitchen countertops. The optimal size for countertops is 24-25 inches, and it's better to have a little bit hanging over. This allows any spills to go onto the floor, not down your nice new cabinets.Think about the function of your kitchen and how often you're using it to choose the right material. Materials like quartz are sturdier and more durable, meaning they can stand up to wear and tear more.
Materials like marble tend to give a more luxurious feel and have a high resistance to heat. This means you can put a hot pan down on the side without worrying about needing a cooling rack.
With the right maintenance, marble wears naturally over time. It could last 100 years, like in the villa-kitchens of Italy. You will see where past generations have worked that surface.
Kitchen Remodeling Tips You Won't Want to Miss
So, there you have it! Now you know these kitchen remodeling tips, you're on your way to the kitchen of your dreams.The key to getting the best design is to strike the balance between form and function. While you want a kitchen in a style and design you like, make sure it works for the tasks you perform there. If you pair the two together, you're sure to succeed.
If you want the perfect cabinets and countertops for your kitchen, contact us today. With over 30 years of experience, Cabinet Wholesalers have what you need to get the best kitchen for your needs.
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