How to Make the Most of Your Kitchen Remodel
A major overhaul of the kitchen is on the wish list of many homeowners. However, most put it off because it is a big investment in time and money. However, it is well worth it if you make the most of your kitchen remodeling budget. Going with a reliable and experienced remodeling company like Fairfax Kitchen and Bath helps, but you can take steps to make sure you get the most bang for your buck.
Consider your workflow
The kitchen is primarily a place of work, and like all places of work, there is a specific workflow. Each kitchen workflow varies slightly depending on the user, so before going full tilt into a kitchen remodel, consider how the changes will affect the way you work. Ideally, the remodel should help you become more efficient, but to achieve that, you need to think about how you normally use the kitchen. For example, if you like to chop your vegetables on the fly, you will want the sink and cook top within easy reaching distance from your food prep space. If you love to bake, you will want to plan storage for your baking tools and ingredients, and maybe install a marble workspace for pastry rolling.
These are just some examples of the things you should consider and incorporate into your new kitchen design. This ensures that the final result will make you a happier, more productive kitchen user.
Counter measures
Most experts will advise you to choose the material for kitchen counters first before anything else. You have a lot of choices there, so it can take a bit of time to decide. Fortunately, the top choices are still granite, marble, and engineered quartz, so that should narrow the field for you.
Aside from the time it takes to choose the right countertop material for the kitchen, your choice will typically determine the overall look of your kitchen, from the walls to the floor to the cabinets. This is especially true if you pick natural or engineered stone, because they tend to steal the show in any kitchen. In addition, it is much easier to match the kitchen design to the counters than the other way around, especially if you choose granite countertops. Finally, you can get some unique color palettes if you base it on stone countertops. In fact, you can either way: match the colors, or choose the opposite ones. Contrasting colors give your kitchen an interesting look, aside from giving it some great depth and drama. In a classic black and white kitchen for example, white marble looks perfect against black cabinets.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
It can be tempting to just go on an “out with the old, in with the new” attitude. After all, if you’re doing a complete kitchen remodel, you may as well go all the way, right? However, some changes are not necessary, especially if the house is not that old. In most cases, you can keep much of the existing infrastructure, such as the electrical and plumbing, and that can save you money you can put towards other things, like new cabinets. Relocating drains and pipes can add some big costs to your renovation budget, so unless it is unavoidable, work with what you already have in place.
Moving infrastructure can also extend the time it takes to complete a renovation project. It isn’t just about the actual work involved, either. Major restructuring usually requires getting permits, and that can take a lot of time and effort. As licensed contractors, we can take care of that, but that is still added time and money on your end. In most cases, you can change the layout of the kitchen quite a bit without doing much in the way of major restructuring. It just takes a little creativity and a professional eye for design, which we can provide.
Full backsplash or bust
Most homeowners don’t really think about their backsplashes much. After all, its main function is to keep the walls protected from oil splatters and the like and to make clean up that much easier. It is not exactly a glamorous component of the kitchen.
The standard backsplash height is four inches for some reason, which does not really make much sense. It doesn’t go high enough to the wall behind it from all the splatter in a typical cooking session and it serves to cut up the wall, making it look shorter. In other words, the standard backsplash is not the best way to go if you want to make the most of your kitchen remodel.
You should seriously consider a full backsplash, one that goes up to the wall cabinet or to the ceiling. It may add some to your total cost, but it will do wonders for the look of your kitchen. Not only will it do a better job in keeping the kitchen splatter-free, it also induces a sense of continuity in the design. This is especially useful in kitchens with a low ceiling, as it creates the illusion of height. A full backsplash can also provide a focal point and drama in the kitchen, so you need to give your choice careful thought.
Conclusion
It is not always easy to get the perfect kitchen, but you can if you plan it carefully. These tips can help you make the most of your kitchen remodel so it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. However, the most important thing you can do is to find a reputable contractor to take on the project with you. Fairfax Kitchen Bath guarantees you will love you new kitchen for life. We sell only top quality products for all your kitchen remodeling needs, from natural and engineered stone slabs, cabinets, shelves, sinks, faucets tiles, backsplashes, knobs and pulls, and hardwood flooring. We carry only the top brands for these products, such as Schrock Cabinetry, Silestone, Blanco, Kohler, and Mosaic Décor.
You can see the products before you buy so you can decide for yourself if the quality is what you expect. We have a showroom in Fairfax, Virginia, which houses all our products. Our products come with manufacturer warranties that ensure your satisfaction with the quality and installation.
When you contract with us, you can be sure you will get a quick turnaround on your products, and receive it much faster than ordering what you need from big box stores. We specialize in carrying out kitchen remodeling projects within budget and on time.
Fairfax Kitchen Bath services the DC, MD and Northern Virginia metropolitan areas. We are a Class A, licensed and insured contractor, registered in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Contact us today to get a free quote for your kitchen remodeling project.
