One of the most popular and most expensive home improvements is the kitchen remodel. This is because it is one of the most used rooms in the home and contains a wide variety of appliances and custom features. A kitchen remodel can enhance the functionality of your kitchen, make it more aesthetically pleasing, and also improve the quality of life in your home. Each item in this article should be addressed when preparing to do a kitchen renovation.
Consider hiring a designer to design a custom kitchen for you. This can be a large project and having the help of a professional designer can be extremely useful. They can draw up various floor plans, design schemes, and color combinations to let you see what the finished product will look like before the job even begins.
The material used on your counter tops can be one of your big expenses. You can choose a laminate that is fairly inexpensive or a product like granite that can cost thousands. Keep in mind when choosing this material that the main work done in the kitchen is done on the counter tops, so you should choose a product that has a long lifespan.
Another major expense in the kitchen is the cabinetry. The best cabinetry is made from solid wood, not particle board. If particle board is exposed to any kind of moisture it will disintegrate. New solid wood cabinets can be expensive, but they are well worth the money in the long run and add significant resale value to the home. If you are renovating purely for resale value, make sure you decide on neutral colors for your kitchen. A huge turn off to potential home buyers is having a kitchen with bright red or dark blue cabinets.
The third major expense in your kitchen remodel are the appliances. Stainless steel has become very popular in recent years and it is usually one of the most expensive finishes available. Something that people do not think about when choosing stainless steel is that it gets dirty easily. Stainless steel will show every fingerprint or smudge. So if you do not feel like cleaning your appliances on a daily basis, then choose a different finish. Also it is a good idea to choose energy efficient appliances. This will save you on your utility bills and if you choose the right ones, you may be eligible for a tax break at the end of the year.
Another important part of any kitchen remodel is the lighting. There are literally thousands of options available when it comes to kitchen lighting. The kitchen should be a bright space where you can clearly see what you are doing, but accent lights are also nice to highlight special features in the room. Take some time to visit a lighting store to look at all the options available.
Doing a kitchen remodel is a great way to add value and functionality to your home. Use the tips from this article as a guide to designing and completing your new kitchen.