Kitchen Remodeling Tacoma WA is one of the best ways to boost your home’s value. It can also make your home more functional, safer, and enjoyable to use.
Chip Wade suggests putting down the floor first during remodeling. This provides a clean playing field and allows for easier installation of cabinets.
The kitchen is the heart of every home; it’s a space that’s used daily and often heavily trafficked, so it’s important to create a functional and sharp design. Luckily, there are a few different tools that can help you plan and execute a great kitchen remodel.
Before you start planning your new layout, it’s important to consider the size of your kitchen and how much space you have to work with. You will also need to decide whether you are doing a full kitchen remodel or just updating the look of your existing kitchen. A complete kitchen remodel will likely cost more than just upgrading some cabinetry and countertops.
Once you know your dimensions and layout, it’s time to choose a design style that fits your needs. You’ll want to keep in mind how the room will be used and who will be using it. If there are multiple cooks in your household, it’s a good idea to find a layout that accommodates everyone’s workflow. You’ll also want to consider any family members with special needs, such as elderly or disabled members, in order to ensure the space is accessible for them.
One option that’s a great fit for small spaces is an L-shaped kitchen. This type of layout allows you to create a separate breakfast nook or workspace while keeping your three main work areas close together. When working with this type of layout, try to vary open shelving with closed cabinets in order to minimize the claustrophobic feel.
Another popular choice is an U-shaped kitchen. This layout offers similar functionality to an L-shaped kitchen but allows you to add a large pantry closet in the corner of the room. This will give you plenty of storage without taking up too much floor space.
Storage
Having adequate kitchen storage is key to keeping your home organized. There are many different ways to do this, depending on your needs and budget. Some of the more popular options include adding a pantry or installing under-counter cabinets. These are great for storing items that you don’t want on your counters but need easy access to.
You can also find some really cool modern storage solutions that are both functional and stylish. There are things like expandable drawer dividers that let you customize the bin configuration to fit your specific needs. Or, if you have an extra-wide refrigerator, you can install a built-in refrigerator shelf that’s perfect for storing cookbooks and other tall items.
If you have a lot of open space, you can add some shelving to give your home a modern, industrial look. Shelving is great for storing things you don’t want on your countertops or in your cabinets, such as decorative utensil containers and potted plants. You can even use a window sill as an efficient way to store items you use often. You just need to make sure you have a sturdy shelf that can hold the weight of your items. Be sure to use a stud finder and drywall anchors if needed to ensure your shelves are securely mounted.
Appliances
Whether it’s a failing refrigerator or simply a desire to upgrade to newer models, kitchen appliances often spur homeowners to remodel. When selecting new appliances, it’s important to keep in mind that brands and styles aren’t the most critical factors; functionality should be your first priority. If your current kitchen’s appliances have a dated look, consider investing in a new suite of high-quality appliances to complement your new layout and design style.
When budgeting for a kitchen renovation, consider setting aside some of your overall spending plan for appliances. Choosing appliances early in the process is crucial, as cabinetry and other elements are typically designed around them.
Many homeowners choose to invest in a professional-grade appliance suite, including Sub Zero and Wolf refrigerators, Asko dishwashers, Bertazzoni ovens and cooktops, and Zephyr ventilation hoods. These appliances are expensive but come in a variety of finishes, styles, and energy efficiency options.
Lighting is also an essential element of a functional kitchen; recessed ceiling fixtures provide ambient light, pendant lights offer both style and task lighting over sinks or islands, and under-cabinet lighting ensures that all countertop areas are properly illuminated for food prep. Consider investing in a second sink or bar sink for additional space to rinse produce, ice water, or pour a glass of wine.
Lighting
A well-thought-out lighting scheme can transform a kitchen from functional to fantastic, from making the ceiling feel taller and brightening up shadowy corners to highlighting decorative details and creating different atmospheres. The best schemes combine various types of light in a layered approach, which is also the most energy efficient.
Pendant lights hung from the ceiling are a great way to brighten work zones like islands and tables, but they need to be low enough to not obstruct people’s views or interfere with cooking or eating. They’re available in a wide range of styles, from simple, classic glass to modern molecular designs. Look for a design that matches your kitchen’s aesthetic; interesting fittings will keep the space from looking overly clinical. In-cupboard and plinth-level lighting can be used to highlight key features or simply wash surfaces with softly diffused light.
Uplights and spotlights recessed into the ceiling can brighten dark corners of a room and are particularly effective in rooms with high ceilings or those with slanted walls. The latest LEDs are very efficient, with many boasting a warm color rendition to avoid a clinical effect. They’re also low-maintenance, requiring far less frequent replacement than traditional bulbs.
Adding a dimmer switch to your existing kitchen lighting allows you to modify the amount of brightness depending on how the room is being used. It’s a quick, cheap upgrade that can make a big difference to the overall mood of your kitchen.
Kitchens are becoming as much about entertaining as they are about food preparation, so it’s important that the lighting can be modified to suit. Changing the wattage of your fixtures to allow for higher levels of brightness for chopping vegetables or enjoying a romantic dinner can be as simple as installing a new switch and requires no additional wiring.
Flooring
Whether you’re having a minor or major kitchen remodel in New York, you want durable flooring that won’t fail from spills and mishaps. The best way to determine which type of floor is right for your kitchen is through a personal assessment of the people living in your home and their activity levels. If you have children or pets, it’s recommended to choose a durable material like vinyl that’s easy to clean and stain-resistant.
Hardwood floors are a beautiful choice for the kitchen, especially if you opt for refinished hardwoods. Refinishing will allow you to update your flooring with a new color or design style. However, it is important to remember that hardwood floors can be susceptible to water damage. Newer flooring options, such as waterproof laminates, offer a solution to this problem by adding rigid cores made of moisture-resistant materials.
Another popular option is bamboo flooring. This material offers the look of traditional hardwood but is manufactured from a faster-growing and renewable resource. It also has the advantage of being more durable than hardwood and providing a higher level of moisture resistance.
Another durable flooring option is porcelain tile. This option is long-lasting and comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. It’s also available in plank-shaped tiles that mimic the appearance of wood or stone.