Everything To Know Before Remodeling Your Kitchen
Ever stood in your kitchen, coffee cup in hand, and thought: “This space could use a serious facelift.”? Well, you’re not alone. Many of us have found ourselves gazing at outdated cabinets or tired countertops, yearning for something more inspiring.
The idea of kitchen remodeling might seem overwhelming. But imagine transforming your cooking area into the heart and soul of your home. A place where friends gather around an elegant island seating while dinner sizzles on stainless steel appliances.
With this comprehensive guide to revamping your culinary space, we promise you’ll get there! We cover everything from setting budgets to choosing floor plans and stylish yet functional design elements like quartz countertops or laminate flooring. We also have some smart tips for sprucing up your kitchen if you’re watching the budget.
The Basics of Kitchen Remodeling
Many homeowners decide to tackle central kitchen remodels because they spend so much time in that space. Remodeling a kitchen is no small task, but with thoughtful planning and careful design choices, you can create your dream kitchen while staying within budget. So whether you want an island seating area for family meals or a subway tile backsplash that makes your cooking space pop, Seanote Construction is here to help.
Finding Inspiration For Your Project
Browsing through popular designs on Pinterest may inspire you when thinking about how best to suit your style preferences in a functional kitchen layout. For example, a white kitchen offers timeless appeal, whereas clever use of under-cabinet lighting could add ambiance plus utility simultaneously. Additionally, ceramic tiles are another fantastic option if you want durable yet aesthetically pleasing surfaces on your floor or walls. Large kitchens allow for layouts with components such as a grand island, which become focal points and common spaces within the room. In contrast, minor kitchen remodels may focus more on optimizing existing space for storage.
Costs
According to Forbes, on average, the cost to remodel a kitchen is about $12,000 to $60,500, which includes materials, fixtures, and labor. This cost range covers small, medium, and large or significant remodels. The average kitchen remodel costs $27,000. The variance depends mainly on factors like materials like laminate flooring or porcelain tile, the complexity of work involved, like moving plumbing, and the extent of changes desired that can go from fresh paint colors to new cabinets.
To get more accurate estimates explicitly tailored towards what you have planned – such as incorporating stainless steel appliances or maximizing prep space by installing perimeter countertops – consider asking Seanote Construction for estimates.
Planning Your Kitchen Remodel: Steps to Success
A kitchen remodel can seem daunting, but with some planning and savvy decision-making, you can ensure your project is successful. Without a plan, the outcome of your kitchen makeover will not meet expectations. Let’s walk through the essential steps together.
Budget Guidelines for a Major Kitchen Remodel
The first step in any kitchen remodel is setting a budget. Before making design choices, you must determine the amount of money available. Remember that remodeling involves careful planning, budgeting, and execution.
According to HGTV, labor mostly consumes anywhere from 20 to 35 percent of your project’s total costs. Here’s how it breaks down on average:
- 35 percent: cabinets
- 20 percent: labor
- 20 percent: appliances
- 10 percent windows
- 5 percent: fixtures
- 3 percent: fittings
- 7 percent: other
Selecting the Right Layout
The next crucial step is selecting your new kitchen layout based on your needs and space limitations. A well-planned design maximizes efficiency and improves the flow between different living areas within your home.
According to Kitchens.com, the work triangle theory is a good strategy. Place the stove, sink, and fridge in a triangle shape. These are the most important and used features in your kitchen, and placing them in a triangle requires the fewest number of steps.
Your choice should reflect how you intend to use this room most often – whether it’s cooking elaborate meals requiring ample prep space or hosting casual gatherings around a generous island seating arrangement – each activity has its specific spatial requirements, which must be considered when redesigning this vital area of our homes.
Picking Out Materials & Finishes
After determining the best layout for functionality and comfort, one fun part is picking out finishes. This includes countertops, cabinetry, styles/color/finish, backsplash material, lighting fixtures, and kitchen faucet handles.
Hiring Professionals
Ask for free assistance from our team of experts. According to Forbes, when deciding on the right pro for your kitchen remodel, you can choose between hiring a general contractor with experience or a specialist kitchen remodeling contractor. Both should be general contractors licensed through the state of Florida to ensure their work quality standards. The differences between these two lie in their business models.
The Role of Interior Designers in Your Kitchen Remodel
An interior designer’s role goes beyond making spaces look attractive. They use their skills and knowledge to ensure functionality and efficiency while reflecting your style. From picking out paint colors that enhance natural light to optimizing storage space with clever kitchen design ideas, an interior designer brings valuable insight into creating your dream kitchen.
Suppose you have specific ideas about using unique materials like subway tiles for backsplash or stainless steel countertops. In that case, an experienced designer will know how best to incorporate these elements without compromising on practicality or budget constraints
Why You Need a General Contractor
A general contractor manages all aspects of construction work involved in remodeling projects – from securing permits, coordinating with subcontractors (like electricians and plumbers), and scheduling inspections until the final cleanup after project completion.
Your existing cabinets may need refurbishing; your project may involve replacing laminate flooring with porcelain tile or repositioning lighting fixtures for better task illumination. This requires precise execution by skilled tradespeople under efficient management, which is where hiring professional contractors comes in handy.
Exploring Popular Kitchen Layouts for Your Remodel
The heart of your home deserves a design that’s at the height of functionality and style. With numerous layouts, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. Don’t fret. We’ve got you taken care of. Understanding your cooking habits and preferences is key to designing a kitchen that’s functional for you. Love baking? You’ll need plenty of counter space for rolling out dough. Need coffee to start the day? Consider a dedicated coffee station. Let’s go through the main kitchen layout ideas:
L-Shaped Kitchen:
An L-shaped kitchen is popular because it’s efficient and adaptable. This layout features two adjoining walls with countertops forming an “L” shape, creating ample prep space and a dining area room. According to Ideal Home UK, whether the space is generous or small, an L-shaped layout works with contemporary and traditional cabinetry. This form is flexible enough to achieve your structural needs, like sloping ceilings or large windows.
U-Shaped Kitchen:
It utilizes three walls or sections of cabinetry for maximum storage and countertop space. According to Wood & Co, putting a U-shaped kitchen in a small space can make the kitchen very cramped and difficult to move in. Applying a U-shape in a vast space can make your work areas too far from each other. If the kitchen is big enough, it can accommodate multiple cooks simultaneously. If one arm of your U-shape is a peninsula, you can place seats on one side for a casual dining space.
Galley Style Kitchen:
A galley-style kitchen works wonders in smaller homes where every inch counts. Here, appliances are often placed opposite each other on parallel counters, making food preparation quick and convenient.
Since galley kitchens are small, they are less expensive to build or remodel than other kitchen layouts. According to The Spruce, galley kitchens are ergonomically better than different kitchen design layouts since essential services are clustered nearby.
Peninsula Kitchen
According to Wren Kitchens, peninsula kitchen designs offer an island’s same benefits – extra workspace, intelligent storage solutions, and a place to socialize. Compared to a kitchen island, a peninsula offers more worktop real estate. An island needs a pathway around it, while a projection can sit in the same place and connect to a wall.
The Island Oasis
Kitchen islands aren’t just beautiful focal points, but they’re practical too – adding extra workspace while doubling up as casual seating or dining spots. Whether fixed or movable, this centerpiece truly elevates any kitchen style.
According to Zad Interiors, kitchen islands provide a huge oomph effect for prospective buyers since they offer storage capacity while making the home more orderly and intriguing. Adding prepping sinks, refrigerated storage, and further cooking space to the island is an excellent opportunity to make your kitchen more practical and usable.
- Pro Tip 1: Choose panel-ready appliances that blend seamlessly into your island’s design theme.
- Pro Tip 2: Consider how much island seating best suits your lifestyle.
- Pro Tip 3: Ensure walkway areas when incorporating an island.
Make the Most Out Of Your Storage
Kitchen efficiency isn’t just about gadgets but also storage solutions.
- Semi-custom cabinets provide flexibility within budget constraints compared to custom ones but offer more options than stock units.
- Think pull-out spice racks near the stove area and built-in trash bins hidden behind cabinet doors—these small changes make a big difference in how efficiently your kitchen operates.
- Since most people don’t have space to expand or add an entire island, Architectural Digest suggests bringing a slim rolling kitchen cart or bar cart to serve as extra counter space.
- Also, pegboards with creative, functional setups give you space where you didn’t think you had any.
Open or Closed? Which Kitchen Design is Better for You
Open Kitchen
An open kitchen shares space with another room and, in so doing, blurs the divisions between areas for cooking, dining, and living. A person cooking a meal in an open kitchen gets involved in the conversations or passes dishes to people in the adjacent rooms. Also, if you have kids who need 24/7 supervision, you may want to consider an open kitchen to help you keep an eye on them while you cook. While an open kitchen layout is a beautiful way to showcase your pretty vessels and appliances, it can also be a downfall when any mess made there is visible to everyone in the house, especially if you have guests. You won’t be able to hide the sound of the beeping of timers, food processors, or frying food sizzles.
Closed Kitchen
In a closed kitchen, the kitchen space is enclosed by walls or partitions, separating it from the rest of the living areas in the house. They provide privacy, keeping the mess and noise of cooking hidden from guests or other family members in the adjacent rooms. This is particularly useful when you are entertaining guests or hosting special gatherings. Cooking smells are contained within the kitchen space and are less likely to spread throughout the house. However, they can create a separation between the kitchen and other living areas, making interacting with family members or guests difficult while preparing meals. Additionally, closed kitchens may limit natural light and airflow, affecting the overall ambiance and ventilation.
The Main Components of a Functional Kitchen Design
When remodeling your kitchen, prioritize functionality for optimal daily performance. You want your space to look great and work efficiently for everyday tasks.
Choosing Countertops That Last
Your countertops are vital in the kitchen, and they must be durable and easy to clean while adding aesthetic appeal. Quartz has become the most popular countertop choice, surpassing granite due to its durability and vast design options. It offers a high-end marble look without associated maintenance issues, making it ideal for busy kitchens. According to Capitol Granite, quartz is easier to maintain than granite as a non-porous stone. It is stain-resistant, heat-resistant, and, most importantly, bacteria-free. You can achieve a high level of durability without any sealant.
For a more significant statement, go for stainless steel, zinc, or natural wood. Aim for light, smooth, and reflective materials.
Investing in Quality Cabinets
The quality matters because cabinets have to withstand years of use. While stock cabinets seem appealing from a budget perspective, investing more in semi-custom or custom units can give you better longevity and tailor-fit solutions.
Choice Cabinet says shaker cabinets are increasingly popular in traditional and contemporary kitchens. They introduce many opportunities due to their simple design and clean lines. Also, like glass doors and louvered doors, kitchens with flat-panel cabinets make a great place to showcase unique and eye-catching hardware.
Flooring: More Than Looks
A perfect floor marries function with style—it should endure heavy foot traffic, spills, and drops while complementing other elements like cabinetry and appliances. When planning a kitchen remodel, flooring choice plays an integral role. Deciding which flooring to choose can be daunting, given the vast selection.
Laminate Flooring
If you’re on a budget kitchen makeover or want something with low maintenance, laminate flooring is worth considering. Laminate flooring is an excellent option for DIY installation because the planks can be attached and glued down or “floated,” allowing them to be put over an uneven subfloor. It can mimic more expensive materials and can be waterproof.
Home Depot says the average cost of installing laminate flooring is $4.05 per square foot. However, installation costs may vary according to the type of material used.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile has recently become desirable for its strength and attractive appearance. The extreme density of a porcelain tile increases its water-resistant properties. The strength and durability combined with a moisture-tight surface make it the perfect floor tile for a high-traffic kitchen.
According to Fixr, the average cost of a porcelain tile floor for a kitchen is $900 to $8,000 on a kitchen floor of 100 to 200 sq. ft.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles
Many homeowners fall head over heels with wood floors because they give any room a warm, cozy feel. Luxury vinyl, however, offers similar aesthetics at less cost. It is manufactured from robust materials, catering to heavy foot traffic, flame resistance, and exposure to moisture. The average lifespan of LVT is 25-30 years, depending on maintenance, traffic, and location, according to Direct Wood Flooring.
Home Advisor says total installation costs for luxury vinyl tile go from $3 to $18 per square foot. You’ll typically pay $5 to $10 per square foot or anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per 100 square feet.
Concrete
According to Forbes, stained concrete can be styled to look like stone, wood, or even tile, and it can be sealed to be almost entirely waterproof. Concrete is very durable and long-lasting, and most concrete floor jobs cost $2 to $16 per square foot.
Tips for Picking the Right Kitchen Floor
Here are some quick tips to help you pick the right flooring for your kitchen:
- Consider how much traffic your kitchen gets. The foot traffic your kitchen receives should determine the level of durability you require.
- Softer materials like vinyl or cork can provide better comfort if you spend much time cooking and standing in your kitchen.
- Choose a style that matches your kitchen and adjacent living areas for an open floor plan design.
Sink Faucets: Unassuming Yet Crucial
The sink faucet is one element many homeowners overlook during remodeling—but make no mistake—it plays an integral role. From filling pots with water to washing dishes, it’s one of the most used components in your kitchen. Hence, a well-chosen faucet can make chores more comfortable and quicker.
CNET says that whether you want the best value for your dollar or are wading through the sea of high-end kitchen faucets, it’s worth remembering that your sink faucet is among the most high-touch parts of your kitchen. If not installed or maintained well, things can go wrong very quickly.
Task Lighting
Properly placed lights can transform your kitchen from ordinary to extraordinary while boosting its functionality tenfold. Consider three fixtures: recessed ceiling fixtures for overall illumination, under-cabinet lighting for prep work, and pendants or ceiling fixtures over islands or dining areas. Pinterest is packed with design ideas if you need help figuring out where to begin.
Adequate light on the countertops lets you chop veggies safely without squinting at shadowy spots. Plus, it helps create an inviting ambiance after sundown.
How to Remodel a Kitchen for Accessibility
Remodeling a kitchen for accessibility is an important project that can significantly improve the functionality and convenience of the space for individuals with mobility challenges. According to House Digest, kitchens are also gathering places, dining spaces, and work areas.
Whether a family member is recovering from a temporary injury, is permanently disabled, or is getting up in years, there are times when you’ll need to think about making your home more accessible, especially the kitchen.
Accessible Appliances
Select appliances with user-friendly features like front controls and side-opening ovens. Consider installing a raised dishwasher for effortless loading and unloading. Use pull-out shelves or drawers for easier access to items and install cabinet hardware that is easy to grip, such as D-shaped handles or loop pulls.
According to Lowes, safety is a crucial criterion when choosing a range. It must have its controls on the front of the unit instead of rear-mounted. Also another safe-cooking tip is to position a wall oven lower in a cabinet. Some units have a side-hinged door that avoids the need for reaching across a hot oven door.
Open Areas Under Sinks and Stoves
An open area under the sink allows wheelchair users to roll up to the sink and access the plumbing comfortably. It provides knee clearance, allowing individuals to get closer to the sink and perform tasks without straining.
Open areas on the stove allow individuals to approach the stoves without obstructions. It enables wheelchair users to get closer to it and safely ridge controls or use adaptive cooking equipment.
Accessible Prep Areas
Workspaces should be placed 600-800 mm from a corner in angled setups. This ensures that two users can work comfortably without getting in each other’s way. Counters with overhangs and built-in cutting boards that slide out of cabinetry are both options when remodeling.
Storage Accessibility
Design storage areas within reach of the preparation areas to allow easy access to frequently used items, such as cooking utensils, cooking boards, and ingredients. Adding magnetic knife racks to a kitchen can make frequently used knives easier to reach and store.
According to The Home Specialists Association, for an accessible kitchen, the goal should always be to reduce unnecessary reaching, crouching, and carrying of items, which will help maintain safety within the space.
How to Make My Kitchen Eco-Friendly
As climate change continues, making your kitchen eco-friendly is a great way to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable living. Here are some tips to help you create an eco-friendly kitchen:
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Choose energy-efficient appliances with high ENERGY STAR ratings. These appliances use less electricity, reducing your energy consumption and utility bills. An ENERGY STAR-certified dishwasher costs about $55 per year and can save you about 3,850 gallons of water over its lifetime. By properly recycling your old refrigerator and replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerator, you can save about $230 over the 12-year lifetime of the product.
Efficient Lighting
When considering your kitchen’s layout, ensure vital areas receive the most natural light. For example, a roof light or glass doors could provide ample daylight for a food preparation area.
Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL lights. These bulbs last longer and consume less energy, saving money and reducing waste. According to Eco Watch, while CFL bulbs are up to 35% more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs, LEDs are 90% more efficient and will last over 25 years.
Sustainable Materials
Opt for sustainable materials when renovating or remodeling your kitchen. Choose cabinets made from recycled or reclaimed wood, bamboo flooring, and countertops made from recycled glass or sustainable materials like quartz. Look for FSC-certified wood or plywood. FSC certification is a proven method to help industries ensure healthy, resilient forests for future generations. Melamine-Faced Chipboard (MFC) and Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) can be eco-friendly using recycled materials. At the same time, Ecoboard is even better as it’s made using compressed agricultural by-products. Bamboo is another great sustainable product, as it is so fast-growing.
Switch to eco-friendly cleaning products that are free from harmful chemicals. Look for products with biodegradable, plant-based ingredients that are safe for the environment.
Proper Insulation
Ensure your kitchen is well-insulated to minimize energy loss. Proper insulation helps maintain a consistent temperature, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling.
Additionally, it addresses the following needs:
- Soundproofing
- Mold and bacteria prevention
- Pest Prevention
- Thorough thermal sealing
- Structural support
Water Conservation
According to the US Geological Survey, about 71% of the planet is water, but the amount of drinkable water is less than 1%. Install low-flow faucets and aerators to reduce water usage in your kitchen and fix leaks promptly to prevent water wastage.
WaterSense makes it easy to find and select water-efficient products that can help your wallet and the environment. Just look for products bearing the WaterSense label at your local retailer.
Conclusion
Transforming your kitchen space is no small feat. With careful planning, realistic budget setting, and smart design choices, you’re one step closer to achieving that dream kitchen. From exploring popular layouts to selecting durable materials like quartz countertops or laminate flooring, we’ve covered the essentials of kitchen remodeling.
Achieving efficiency and functionality in your new cooking haven can be as simple as installing under-cabinet lighting or choosing versatile storage solutions. Hiring professionals for complex tasks ensures quality work.
No matter how big or small your project is…with this guide at hand, turning drab into fab becomes an exciting journey rather than a daunting task!