Kitchen Renovations – Creating a Beautiful Space to Entertain Family and Friends

Kitchen renovations are an opportunity to create a beautiful space to entertain family and friends. They’re also a chance to add value to your home and update outdated features.

A major remodel involves a lot of noise, dust, and dirt in your home. You may even have to temporarily relocate while the work is being done.

Layout

The layout of your kitchen is critical for efficient use. For example, a kitchen remodeling project should include the work triangle, which is the basic pattern of space between your sink, refrigerator, and stove, which helps you move around quickly to prepare food.

You may also want to consider how many family members will be using the kitchen and if there are any special needs, such as wheelchair access. Then you can create a custom kitchen design that meets those needs.

A major reno involves significant construction and floor plan rearrangement, which usually means dropping walls or removing them altogether, re-routing gas lines, and rewiring electrical. This type of transformation is generally more expensive and requires professional construction and design services.

Appliances

With advanced smart appliances, new flooring and countertop options, and a multitude of design styles and brand choices, kitchen remodels can be a great way to update an outdated interior. But it’s important to know what you’re getting into before committing to the kitchen of your dreams.

A major kitchen remodel involves enlarging the floor plan, re-arranging pipes or wiring, and installing pricey amenities. It can also involve tearing down or framing in walls, which is usually a project that requires a building permit and professional installation.

Appliances are often one of the biggest line items on a kitchen remodel budget, and picking out the best models can have a big impact on how well a kitchen functions. But brand names, innovative features, and fancy finishes should never take the place of a thoughtful appliance selection that considers how you prepare, cook and clean up in your home. This includes thinking about proper ventilation, too! This article on Kitchen Ventilation Options provides a good starting point.

Countertops

The counters you choose can make or break your kitchen’s aesthetic. You’ll also need to consider your cooking needs and who will use the space. If you plan to entertain frequently, consider two ovens (or more). Countertops also come in a wide variety of materials, and imagining the look of your home with various options can help narrow down choices.

Natural-stone countertops are expensive but incredibly durable, and they’re available in a myriad of colors and veining patterns. Synthetic counters like laminate offer a more affordable option, but they’re vulnerable to heat and don’t stain well.

For a dramatic look, consider a waterfall design style where the countertop wraps around the edges. This type of design offers a luxurious touch and is particularly effective on islands. Whatever style you choose, visit a material supplier to see samples in person. This can help you find the style that looks best in your home and that matches your cabinet hardware, backsplash and flooring.

Lighting

The lighting in a kitchen can make or break the whole look. Incorporating layered lighting, maximizing natural light, adding stylish pendants, illuminating your countertops, and using under-cabinet lights are all great ways to transform your kitchen into a stunningly beautiful and highly functional space.

Ambient lighting is what helps to set the tone and makes a room feel inviting. Usually accomplished with recessed cans placed strategically throughout the room, these fixtures help to illuminate work areas as well as promote volume and openness by focusing light on ceilings.

Accent lighting is used to highlight specific points in a room like an architectural oven hood or even a piece of artwork. This is typically done by using adjustable track or recessed lighting that can be pointed directly toward the item you want to draw attention to. LED lights are a good option for this type of feature because they are dimmable, cool to the touch, and offer many options for color.