Kitchen Remodeling
Does your Atlanta Home need Kitchen Remodeling?
If you have any culinary skills at all, you spend a lot of time in your kitchen.whether you are interested in just freshening up your existing kitchen or you are out to completely revamp the space - Kitchen remodels are possibly the most self-satisfying of interior renovations. In most cases, Kitchen Remodels and new designs to match specific needs will come first with most homeowners.
When you begin to plan your new kitchen there are 10 important points to keep in mind to get the most out of your new kitchen.
#1 - Visualize Your Likes and Dislikes
Look through home improvement magazines, designer websites (like HGTV), go on open house tours of new neighborhoods (to see what the new kitchens are getting), Visit the cabinetry galleries at your local home improvement store. All of these can provide you with hands-on visuals so that you can start to imagine your new kitchen.#2 - Come up with a Budget
You want to begin by examining your home finances so you will know first off what you can afford to spend. It does you no good as a consumer to set your designer free with no limitations on cost. Make sure the renovation makes sense.#3 - Decide on a layout
Think about how you want to use the kitchen. If you entertain a lot and your guests are frequently in the kitchen with you as you cook, think about creating a space (out of your way) where you can entertain as you finish up preparations. If your children make daily use of the microwave for their afternoon snacks, consider placing it within easy reach for them. And always, you want to be sure you've allowed for the maximum amount of counter work space. Take all your wants and needs into consideration when you plan the layout, and make sure you have allowed for the ones that are most important.#4 - Find Your Contractor
Kitchen are different from any other room in the house. Make sure the contractor you choose has experience in remodeling a kitchen. Ask to speak to other kitchen clients, and go to see his handiwork. Make sure his level of detail matches your level of expectation.#5 - Choose your Cabinets Carefully
Cabinetry costs can account for the bulk of your new kitchen. Whether you decide on full custom cabinets, or you choose a semi-custom design, make sure you don't blow your entire kitchen budget on the cabinets. Having to cut corners on your countertops or appliances because you overspent on the aesthetics can be disheartening.#6 - Countertops | Countertops | Countertops
It not just Formica(c) anymore. There are a myriad of choices and price ranges available today for countertops. Natural stone (such as granite, marble, soapstone) can bring a certain amount of elegance and style to even the most basics of new kitchen designs. Not to mention stone and ceramic tiles with will allow you to have beautiful, interesting countertops without the expense of other solid surfaces.Additionally, with so many people looking for earth friendly options for their home renovations, several manufacturers have developed lines of eco-friendly and reclaimed material countertops that can really get your culinary juices flowing.
The important thing to remember in selecting a surface material is - how will I (or My Family) use the space? choose an appropriate surface for your needs. Several of the manufactured surfaces available today are softer and more forgiving for scratches, hot plates, and the occasional dropped dinner plate.
#7 Under Foot
Nearly all kitchen remodels include some form of new flooring. Years ago, it was considered taboo to have hardwood flooring installed in a kitchen. But with today's kitchens becoming more and more an entertaining space as well as functional, many homeowners are choosing to have a more comfortable wood floor installed rather that sticking with tile or a laminate.If you do choose a laminate, you will want to make sure the product you select is warranted for high moisture areas. Nothing is worse than a laminate floor that starts fading at the dishwasher or sink within a couple of years after it was installed.
#8 - Choose the Right Appliances
While there are many choices available in appliances today, the two most important factors to consider are style and function. Appliances should enhance the look you’re trying to achieve while at the same time meeting your practical needs. Take stock of how you use your kitchen and which appliances are the most important.
#9 Water Features
No, not a fountain. Your sink and faucets. Aside from the wide variety of sink materials (epoxy, steel, copper, etc...) there is a tremendous variety in sink styles and uses. Decide if you need a 1- bowl or 2-bowl sink. Do you want a separate vegetable prep sink? Would you like a small hand sink for the children as they come in from outside? Will the kitchen double as the dinner party bar?And, while you have sinks on your mind, take a look at the faucets available. Your home improvement store can provide you with a large selection of available styles and finishes.
But don't let that be your only option. there are several good online plumbing fixture companies that can give you interesting options to consider. Remember to ask yourself - Do I need a sprayer?, Will you want a matching hand soap dispenser? How about long reach faucets - would a pot filler come in handy?
#10 - Lighting
Nothing ruins a kitchen remodel faster than improper lighting. Make sure when you design your new space you take into consideration the individual task areas in the kitchen and the lighting each area will need.Can (or recessed) lighting can provide ample lighting in your kitchen. A typical can light will provide 6' to 8' of workable task lights for each fixture installed. Pendant lights can provide a kitchen with softer ambient lighting for dining or for more focused lighting on a cook top or dish sink. .
You may also want to consider undercounter lights or pot hanger lighting for added specific needs task lighting.
