Whether you want to add energy-efficient appliances or a sleek range hood, a kitchen remodel will bring your home’s functionality up to date. The scope of your project may also include a redesign of the layout or tearing down walls for better flow and accessibility.
Ask prospective contractors to provide references from previous clients and review their portfolios online. Look for photos that showcase a variety of styles and materials. For professional help, contact J&R Construction now!
Your big-picture plan is where you map out all the changes you want to make. It’s fine to dream big during this phase because you can always scale your plans down later. For Johnson, that meant adding storage space to stow her favorite cookware and pantry items. She also knocked down a wall to open the room and add a touch of farmhouse style. The result is a kitchen that is both beautiful and functional.
Layout
A large kitchen renovation often involves more than just a cosmetic makeover. It may involve tearing down walls or moving appliances to new locations. It could also lead to the need for new flooring throughout the entire main floor of the house.
A kitchen remodel’s layout plays a critical role in its workability and convenience. The best layouts are centered on the kitchen’s three most used stations: the refrigerator, oven, and sink. These stations should be placed close together to ensure efficient movement in the room.
It’s also important to consider who will be using the kitchen and their specific needs. For example, cooks who frequently entertain need ample space for food preparation and seating. It’s also helpful to have different countertop heights, which allow children and elderly family members to participate in meal preparation.
Appliances
The appliances in a kitchen are more than just a practical necessity; they set the tone for the room. Upgrading them provides an opportunity to add color, texture, and on-trend design.
Changing old electronic devices to energy-efficient versions is another way to increase sustainability. This will help reduce electricity costs and save you money in the long run.
Adding or upgrading small appliances, like the toaster and microwave oven, is a quick and easy way to give your kitchen an instant makeover. Similarly, installing moldings, such as baseboards, crown molding, and toe-kicks, helps protect the walls and adds an extra layer of style to your kitchen. Kitchen remodeling is an exciting and creative project that can transform your home into a space of endless possibility. It’s also a great investment that can greatly increase your home’s value.
Cabinets
Cabinets account for about 30%–40% of a kitchen remodel’s budget and set the design style of the space. Choose from a variety of finishes, styles, materials, and extra features to suit your needs and preferences.
Stock cabinets are a good option for those on a tighter budget. Just make sure you know what you’re getting into; some lines are targeted at apartments and flip houses and use low-quality materials.
If your current cabinets are functional and in good condition but just need a fresh coat of paint, consider that instead of replacing them. It’s a labor-intensive but doable DIY project that costs a fraction of new custom cabinets. You can even remove the doors to create open shelving for a more airy look. Then you’ll be ready to move on to countertops. You’ll need to have all products in place before taking measurements for countertop fabrication.
Countertops
Countertops finish off a kitchen and can make or break the look of your space. There are many options available, from traditional laminate to more luxurious natural stone and even modern composite materials. Whatever you choose, it should complement your flooring, cabinetry, and other design elements for a cohesive finished look.
For a high-end option, consider stainless steel countertops. Popular with professional chefs, these durable surfaces are heat- and stain-resistant and develop an attractive patina over time.
Concrete countertops are another durable choice and a stylish alternative to granite. They’re also easy to clean and scratch-resistant. Homeowners who prefer a more modern design may choose quartz, which requires less maintenance than granite and comes in a variety of colors and styles. For a truly unique countertop, try reclaimed wood. This environmentally friendly material can be found at architectural salvage yards and repurposed into a one-of-a-kind kitchen countertop.
Flooring
Changing your kitchen’s flooring is a great way to revamp a room. It also allows for seamless integration with the rest of your home’s floorplan and is often a necessity for larger remodeling projects that involve walls being knocked down or rearranged.
Durability is one of the most important considerations for kitchen flooring, particularly if you have children or other family members who make frequent messes. Look for materials that are water-resistant and easy to clean, like vinyl and linoleum.
Hardwood floors provide warmth and beauty, and they can easily transition from the kitchen to the rest of your home if you have an open floor plan. Alternatively, consider engineered wood floors that feature a layer of plywood in the middle to add strength and moisture resistance. This makes them more durable than traditional hardwood floors.
Lighting
Lighting is a crucial component of any kitchen remodel, not only for its functional demands but also for its style. A kitchen with multiple layers of lighting can transform the space from a basic, utilitarian environment to a stylish gathering spot for friends and family.
There are various ways to accomplish a layered lighting scheme, including recessed can lights and under-cabinet lights that are built into the cabinets themselves or added later on in the process. Pendant lights can add both task and accent lighting, especially if they are hung closer to eye level in a room with high ceilings.
Other options include a range of lighting controls, such as dimmer switches and assisted light controls like voice control. These options make it easy to tweak the brightness of a space, which can be helpful when cooking.
Plumbing
A kitchen renovation often involves moving cabinets, sinks, appliances, and other fixtures. It can also involve rerouting pipes to suit new arrangements of these items.
Depending on the extent of the changes, this may be an opportunity to upgrade older plumbing pipes. For instance, galvanized steel pipes might be replaced with plastic PEX piping that doesn’t rust.
This is a good time to determine what changes are necessities and which ones are extras. It’s also a good idea to rough-design what you want your kitchen to look like during this stage. This will allow you to get an estimate from a contractor and plan for the downtime during which your kitchen will be inaccessible. This usually takes weeks or even months. It also helps to have contingency plans for meals during this period. Your plumber can help you with this planning.
Electrical
During kitchen remodeling, it’s not uncommon for electrical circuits to be added or expanded. This is especially true during major renovations, which typically require building and plumbing permits to complete. During this phase of the project, it is important to work with a licensed and experienced plumber and electrician to ensure that all changes are up to code and pass inspections.
Often, adding additional outlets and replacing older sockets with GFCI and AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupters) is the most cost-effective way to add more power in your kitchen. These special circuits protect against electric shock and are especially necessary in the kitchen around sinks and countertop appliances.
A well-planned lighting scheme will also add value to your home, so look for energy-efficient bulbs. A dedicated outlet for charging devices is a great idea too. Ideally, this will be located close to the dishwasher and refrigerator.
Knocking Down a Wall
Knocking down an interior wall can help transform your kitchen into a more open space and improve functionality. However, it isn’t an easy project to undertake, and it may require a professional to help with the process.
The first step is to determine if the wall is load-bearing or not. To do this, head into the basement or crawl space and look for a support beam directly below the wall in question. If it’s there, the wall is load-bearing.
It is also important to note that the removal of a wall can cause plumbing and electrical work to be relocated, which will add to your remodeling costs. It is crucial to have a clear budget in mind before starting the project. This will help you avoid unexpected expenses down the road.
