A kitchen is the most visible and most often used area of a home and can have a profound effect on the property’s resale value. That’s why kitchen renovations are one of the most popular and rewarding home improvement projects you can undertake.
Budget is always a major factor when it comes to renovating a kitchen. Knowing where to spend and where to save is one of the keys to success. The good news is, you should be able to recoup most of your remodeling costs at resale.
Every kitchen renovation project should start with a thorough plan. There are many things to consider including remodel goals, budget, looks, and functionality.
It may seem daunting at first, but once you find great local contractors for the job, they can guide you through the process and even offer insider tips on how to maximize storage, smart substitutions for high-end materials.
The five tips below, curated by leading professionals, will help you get started!
5 Kitchen Renovation Tips from Your Home Improvement Contractor
A quick kitchen facelift, or a full reboot?
Before you begin, decide whether you want to focus on cosmetic improvements that improve the look of the space, or a full renovation that actually changes the configuration of your kitchen. Cosmetic improvements are cheaper and easier to carry out, but if your kitchen suffers from a lack of functionality, you might benefit more in the long run by investing in a complete reboot.
If you decide to just spruce up your kitchen with a quick facelift, here are some suggestions for areas to focus on:
- Cabinet exteriors and hardware
- Countertops
- Chrome and water fixtures
- Flooring
- Lighting
Refinishing your cabinetry, adding new cabinet knobs and hardware, and replacing your aging countertop or dull backsplash can make a dramatic difference for a relatively small investment. The same is true of your chrome surfaces, water fixtures, and flooring. Upgrading your lighting can transform the feel of the space in exciting ways.
Invest in quality appliances
If you do decide to invest in a more significant renovation, replacing your appliances is the first upgrade you should consider, especially if your existing ones are old or inefficient. Renovation and interior design experts usually say that the stove serves as the centerpiece of your kitchen, as far as appliances go. It will attract attention, so it’s an area where you may want to give appearance and performance equal amounts of consideration.
Upgrading to new appliances also holds the potential to save you a great deal of money on energy and operational costs. Technological advancements that improve performance and energy efficiency can make a substantial difference. These savings can really add up, or even cover the retail price of the appliances you bought.
Functionality first
In kitchens, efficiency rules. Before committing to any design plan, think carefully about how you use the space when you’re in it, and base your ideas on ways to improve functionality. The fridge should be within easy reach of your main food preparation area, for example. Flooring and backsplashes should be made from resilient, easy-to-clean materials like tile.
Remember the “golden rule” for kitchens
On a related note, remember the “golden rule” for kitchen design: the main sink and faucet should form a tight, compact triangle with your stove and fridge. These three elements dominate usage patterns in most kitchens, so be sure to pay careful attention to how they work together as you plan and execute your remodeling.
Your remodeling contractor can rearrange the placement of your appliances, reconfigure your water and electrical lines, add or remove walls/cabinets, etc. If it can be imagined, it most likely can be done. Plan the smartest kitchen layout, then calculate if you have the resources to get there.
Lighting things up
Recessed lighting is trendy in kitchens, but there are other configurations that may actually be more functional. The key is to give yourself plenty of task lighting, or bright lights that effectively illuminate the areas where most of your food prep takes place. Overhead lighting is an excellent option, and there are plenty of ways to incorporate style and flair.
Finally, remember that cabinets can interfere with lighting, so adding some lights below your wall-mounted storage areas can really improve things if you have cabinets hanging over your counter space.
Mid-Atlantic Home Improvement is your one-stop contractor for all your kitchen & bathroom remodeling needs. We are a family-owned & operated general contractor with over 45 years of experience in residential construction & carpentry in Charlottesville and Culpeper, VA!
We are a fully licensed, insured, and bonded Virginia Class A Builder, in business since 1975!
We specialize in custom kitchen/bath upgrades and high-end remodel & renovation projects. Since all of our installations are done in-house, we maintain control of the quality at a very competitive price.
We are a family-owned and operated Virginia general contractor with over 45 years of experience in construction, restoration and remodeling. Our dedication to your satisfaction is our number one priority!
Call (804) 647-0649!
Gavin Juan says
As kitchen renovation is one of the important parts of your home improvement, so when you do kitchen renovation, then you should keep some important points in your mind. You should make a plan kitchen renovation. In the kitchen renovation budget plan is the first priority and you set a budget plan based on your existing budget. Best flooring material, kitchen counter-tops and kitchen appliances also plays an important role for kitchen renovation. For a better result you should hire a best contractor for this work and your mentioned point in this article is really beneficial.
Alma Vaca (Shower Caddies INFO) says
Love the “invest in quality appliances” tip. My mother always told me when you’re buying a new appliance, you’re not buying, you’re investing so always buy the best ones 🙂
Earnest Watkins says
My wife and I would love to get our kitchen remodeled in the near future. I appreciated how you point out that functionality ought to be most important in a kitchen. It makes sense since you’d want your renovated kitchen to be easy to use and efficient.
Alexandria Martinez says
The new home that my fiance and I moved into is in need of some kitchen renovations. We both have a general idea of what we want it to look like and we are open to ideas and tips. Recessed lighting would look great in our home and this will certainly be one of the things we consider adding.
Scott Adams says
I like that you talked about making sure you have your fridge near where you prepare food. I have been needing to remodel my kitchen and I wasn’t sure where to start. I can see how it would be good to keep the space open, so I can move around without feeling crowded.
Alexis Cooper says
Both functionality and looks are needed in the kitchen room. If you have good functionality of your kitchen, but no pleasant look, the potential buyers will not be interested if you want to buy your home. And if you have transformed its look but not the functionality, then there will be major problems later on. Plumbing and the electrical system are the two important and big functionalities that needs to be taken care of properly. Homeowners usually remain baffled with the complexities of this kitchen remodeling process. So it’s always advised to hire an experienced home remodeling contractor who will make the process from start to bottom a breeze.
Jimmy Rey says
Great article and very well explained. I believe in professionals so this is a very useful article for everyone. Many thanks for your share.