A kitchen remodel can provide many benefits that will not only increase the value of your home, but also create a space that is efficient and functional for all of your needs.
Benefits
There are many benefits that come from a kitchen remodel. Some of those benefits include, increased home value, higher selling potential, improved function, reduced energy costs, and more.
Remodeling your kitchen can drastically improve its function; you have the opportunity to increase storage, add counter space, and upgrade utilities and appliances. Cooking can become much easier by changing traffic patterns to keep everyone out of the way. Cut down costs and your energy usage by buying appliances that are energy-efficient. Additionally, you can increase sustainability by choosing eco-friendly materials.
Improve ventilation and reduce odors and heat in your kitchen to help make your kitchen more comfortable. Adding an island can provide additional seating, storage, and workspace. Make your kitchen more welcoming by installing windows or french doors. Replacing improperly functioning appliances and changing the location of appliances will improve the safety of your kitchen. Lack storage for your cooking habits or for your growing family? Take advantage of the remodel by adding storage. This can come from making your cabinets go all the way up to the ceiling, adding a slide-out pantry, etc. These storage options also make it much easier to keep everything organized. One of the most exciting parts of a kitchen remodel is the financial benefit from bringing your outdated kitchen to the current era.
Kitchen remodels increase your home’s resale value, this amounts to between 68 and 75 percent of the remodel cost being recuperated when selling your home. Sure, this isn’t a 100 percent return, but buyers love remodeled kitchens. In other words, a kitchen can make or break a sale. Furthermore, a remodeled kitchen can help mask other areas of your home that aren’t up to par, making the selling process easier.
Communication
Communication is key in any home improvement project. When dealing with your designer, remodeler, or contractor make sure to clearly explain everything you want at every step of the project. Make sure that you set up how often you want to receive email updates. Here at Shakespeare Home Improvement Co., in Lancaster County, PA, we usually update our clients daily. Keeping open lines of communication will help you to stay on budget and not have any miscommunication or conflict. This includes setting house rules regarding smoking, music levels, available bathrooms, parking, etc. Remember to be kind, the remodeling team is working hard to give you your dream kitchen so give praise when appropriate and don’t pester them. If you have questions, email whomever you communicate with at the company. This allows the team to concentrate and finish your kitchen correctly and on time.
Considerations
Ask yourself a couple of questions to determine what kind of design decisions you want to make. How often do you cook? Do you entertain often? If you cook more often or entertain quite a bit, more counter space is important to include in the design. Do you have children or plan to have children? If so, you’ll want to set aside cabinets, shelving, and/or a microwave at a lower height so snacks and utensils are easily accessible and organized. Do you need or just want another dining area? Adding a breakfast nook or a bar area on an island can add a convenient place to grab a bite to eat or for kids to do homework. Take all necessary measurements, including doorways. You don’t want to get your dream refrigerator and have it not be able to get into your kitchen.
Don’t just plan for what materials you’re going to get and where things are going to go. Plan for the unforeseeable. Try and ensure your project is done on time by planning for it to be done several weeks before the desired completion date. Save money by keeping the same footprint, changing the location of plumbing, electrical and walls can quickly take up a significant proportion of the budget. Also, when people start moving all these things, this is when the unforeseeable start to arise.
Choosing Materials
When choosing materials there are many different factors to consider that will help you make the best design decisions for your new kitchen that not only fits your personal style, but that also maximizes functionality.
When picking out paint colors, remember to use soft shades as well as natural light to help make your kitchen look open and bright. Along with paint color and natural lighting, your lighting choices are very important. With the right lighting, your kitchen will look as large and bright as possible no matter what time of day. Moreover, you will be able to work safely and efficiently. There are two types of lighting you should have in your kitchen, task and ambient. Task lighting consists of under-counter and pendant lights, which is for specific tasks. Ambient consists of flush, wall sconce, and track lighting. These lights are used for the general lighting of a space.
Find a focal point you want, this can be tile, fancy flooring, range hood, etc. but you should only choose one bold element as your kitchen can look too busy. Try to choose one thing and complement it with quieter, eye-pleasing details. When picking your appliances, choose from trusted brands with high marks and that also fit your cooking needs. Unless you cook a lot, practical appliances are the better option; instead invest in long-term features that will add value to your home such as flooring or cabinets. It’s also smart to try to buy appliances that combine low maintenance, durable, and long warranty periods. Not only will this benefit you if you stay at your home long-term, but substantial warranties provide a great selling advantage.
Design Necessities
Today, everything you could ever want or need can be put into your kitchen. Even with this freedom for designing your kitchen, there are still certain requirements and smart decisions that will create the best kitchen possible.
There are some dimensional requirements and suggestions you’ll want to keep in mind when designing. Pathways in your kitchen should be at least 36 inches wide. Around cooking zones, the pathways should be widened to 42 inches for one cook and 48 inches for two cooks. Allow 15 inches of countertop on each side of the cooktop, refrigerator, and microwave. This is important while cooking as you will have close proximity to counters for any reason. Above-counter microwave should be around 15 inches above the countertop. Install several outlets along the backsplash so you always have electricity available. If you are tired of having everyone in your way while you cook there are a few things you can do to reduce traffic. Try making the fridge accessible to both the cook and passerby, or add a second microwave, mini or drawer fridge at the edge of the kitchen.
Designing for Your Wants and Needs
When designing your new kitchen, think about what you want and need from your kitchen. A kitchen remodel is your chance to maximize your storage, improve traffic flow, and meet all of your family-friendly needs.
If you want to increase the efficiency and flow of your kitchen, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. First off, consider function then form. You should keep appliances away from corners. For easy access to spices, oils, utensils, etc mount small shelving units beside or behind the cooktop. Designate a spot for knives safer and easier to find which knife you need. Storage never goes out of style, so go ahead and add cabinets that reach the ceiling to add storage and eliminate dust above the cabinets. Have containers for glass, plastic, metal installed in a cabinet for recycling if your area requires you to separate recycling. Plan space for door clearance to make sure cabinet doors don’t hit each other if opened at the same time.
If you have children that want to be involved with cooking, incorporate two counter heights, this makes things like baking and having kids involved with meal prep much easier. Below-countertop microwaves are perfect for kids as it’s much safer for them to use. Keep your family organized by creating a message center near the kitchen phone; install a bulletin board, message board, calendar, and writing utensils.
For an extra personal touch add interesting details such as cabinets with glass doors or display shelving along with regular cabinets. Also, keep that one expensive piece that you love in mind. If you budget out well and utilize sales you could still have enough leftover in the budget to be able to get that special piece.
The Planning Process
A kitchen remodel is a difficult project, so it’s highly recommended that you hire a designer or an architect. They will usually cost between 5 and 15 percent of the total project budget. Considering that they will be able to simplify everything by helping you choose materials and the design, this seems like a good use of part of your budget. Here in Lancaster County, PA at Shakespeare Home Improvement Co., we make sure that the process of choosing materials— if you haven’t beforehand— and the design is much easier by helping guide you through your ideas. When finding a contractor, have your materials and appliances chosen beforehand. You will be given more accurate bids and you won’t have to worry as much about backorder delays. The planning process should take longer than the actual construction, by planning extensively, you’ll reduce the risk of construction mayhem.
Overall, there are many benefits to reap from going through with a kitchen remodel. Financially, you will recoup 68 to 75 percent of the project cost. Even though this isn’t a 100 percent return– most remodeling projects don’t have this high of a return– once you decide to put your home on the market, buyers will be much more likely to purchase your home. Kitchen remodels can make or break a buy, so it’s a good investment to go ahead with that kitchen remodel you’ve been thinking about. As well, if you don’t sell immediately, the new-found functionality of your kitchen will make you highly satisfied with the decision to have remodeled.
Shakespeare Home Improvement Co. provides excellent service to all of our customers no matter if they are adding a sunroom or remodeling their kitchen. We are one of the top home improvement companies here in Lancaster, PA. We make sure that during our projects, the client is as well-informed as possible during every step of the process. If you have been interested in remodeling your kitchen, contact us today for a free estimate.