Houston Kitchen Remodeling is a great way to upgrade the most-used room in your home. Thoughtful upgrades like smart appliances, energy-efficient lighting, and new cabinets can also boost a property’s value.
Consider a complete overhaul to address issues like wasted space or an outdated aesthetic. But before you dive into products and materials, consider how your new kitchen will function.
Redesigning your kitchen layout is a vital aspect of any successful kitchen remodel. Whether you’re expanding your kitchen footprint, improving workflow, or simply rearranging the placement of appliances and fixtures, a new kitchen design should be well-thought-out and measured before work begins. Accurate measurements ensure that your new layout is functional and efficient. Begin by measuring the length of each wall in your kitchen, and be sure to account for countertops and lower cabinets. You should also take into consideration any overhangs or trim that may obstruct cabinetry or countertops. After you’ve recorded your measurements, double-check them to ensure that they match up with the sketch you’ve created.
A kitchen layout can dramatically influence how your space works, what your everyday workflow looks like, and how your kitchen integrates with your home. If your current kitchen is not serving your family’s needs, it may be time for a renovation. A new layout can also add value to your home, increasing its resale price and appeal to prospective buyers.
If you’re looking to streamline your workflow and maximize storage in a small space, a Galley kitchen layout is the perfect solution. With one-wall of cabinets and appliances, this layout is the ultimate space saver, and it’s ideal for smaller rooms or single-cook kitchens.
An L-shaped kitchen is another popular choice for homeowners because it provides plenty of cabinetry storage without encroaching on other working areas. This kitchen layout is ideal for maintaining a clean working triangle between the sink, refrigerator, and oven or cooktop, and it can also be an excellent option for larger spaces.
Appliances
For many homeowners, the kitchen is the center of their home and a space that oftentimes requires updates to keep up with modern cooking trends. Remodeling this popular room can create a functional, welcoming space for family and friends, while also adding value to the property.
When completing a kitchen remodel, it’s important to consider your budget and the scope of the project. Whether you are looking for a minor kitchen renovation or a complete kitchen “gut,” start by identifying your goals and researching the different products available to fit your needs. Creating an itemized list of must-haves, along with their corresponding price tags will help you determine which items are essential and which can wait until a later date.
One of the most important parts of a kitchen remodel is choosing the right appliances. Considering the amount of time you spend in this area, it’s essential that your refrigerator, oven, microwave and dishwasher are all functioning properly. Taking the time to research each product is vital in ensuring you’re getting the best value for your money.
The choice of countertops and backsplashes can also have a significant impact on the look and feel of your kitchen. Incorporating trendy designs is a great way to add interest and style, but it’s also important to balance durability and maintenance requirements. Quartz offers a high-end aesthetic while being low-maintenance, while marble and granite require more frequent care.
It’s also important to think about any extra features you may want in your kitchen, such as a built-in coffee maker or wine fridge. Adding these features can increase your overall cost, but they can also be a great way to increase the functionality of your kitchen and improve the resale value of your home.
Lighting
Lighting can transform a kitchen into an inviting setting for daily tasks, family time, and entertaining. It’s important to include the proper types and amount of light in your remodel plan to create a well-lit environment that is easy to navigate and enhances the beauty of your home.
A common reason for remodeling a kitchen is to improve functionality by upgrading or replacing old components. This could include relocating appliances, enhancing storage solutions, or adding smart home features. Increasing energy efficiency through new fixtures or improved insulation is another common goal of kitchen renovations.
Aesthetic improvements like painting cabinets, refinishing countertops, or installing new flooring are also common reasons for a kitchen remodel. These upgrades can dramatically change the aesthetic without requiring any structural changes.
When it comes to choosing the right lighting for your kitchen, layering is key. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination, task lighting illuminates primary work areas, and accent lighting can highlight decorative elements or architectural features.
Consider using LED strip lights or puck lights inside glass-front cabinets to add visual interest and make it easier to locate items. The color temperature of the light you choose can also have an effect on your kitchen’s ambiance. Warmer tones can create a cozy and inviting feel, while cooler colors offer a more focused atmosphere.
Many homeowners are interested in incorporating some form of decorative lighting into their kitchen. If this is the case for you, it is best to install the infrastructure during the remodel, such as a junction box and recessed boxes, which will allow you to easily add the actual fixtures down the road.
Countertops
Countertops, or work surfaces, provide a focal point in the kitchen that can tie together other elements like cabinets, flooring and appliances. They may be crafted from a wide range of materials to suit many design styles, budgets, and functionality needs.
Granite countertops offer timeless beauty with an added benefit of resale value, and they’re available in a broad selection of colors to coordinate with most home decor styles. They’re resistant to heat, moisture, and scratching and are among the most durable kitchen worktops.
Quartz is an engineered stone that comes in a vast array of looks and color tones and can perfectly mimic the variegation of natural granite or marble. It’s also one of the most durable and low-maintenance kitchen countertop materials.
Wood or butcher block offers warm, natural beauty that can complement most design styles. Though a bit pricier than other options, they’re stain-resistant and easy to clean. They can also develop an attractive patina over time with regular application of food-safe mineral oil.
Ceramic tile can create a one-of-a-kind look that’s versatile and durable. It’s available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and its grout seams can be sealed to help resist stains.
Concrete countertops can add a unique, modern touch to any kitchen. They’re made from aggregates poured and cured in custom shapes and finishes, so homeowners can create the perfect look for their space. They’re heat-resistant and scratch-resistant, but they can be porous, so they must be sealed regularly.
Cabinets
Cabinets arguably form the most important aspect of the kitchen, not only because they take up the majority of space but because their appearance sets the tone for the room. A slab flat panel modern cabinet design, for example, is difficult to install in a kitchen that’s meant to go more classic or farmhouse in its aesthetic.
As with countertops, cabinets can be customized to the homeowner’s tastes, but it’s also essential that they meet functional needs and the demands of day-to-day living. For example, cabinetry must be sturdy and easy to work with – a key consideration when choosing hardware (knobs and pulls) and hinges. Look for soft-close mechanisms that prevent doors and drawers from slamming shut and prematurely wearing out.
In addition to a wide range of door and drawer styles, today’s cabinets are also being accessorized with innovations that help make working in the kitchen easier. For example, corner cabinets have options that make it more convenient to use the space; specialized inserts like dividers and pullout trays in lower cabinets maximize storage capacity; and wrap-around base cabinets conceal appliances to create an ultra-built-in look.
Light also plays an important role in the kitchen, and it’s often overlooked. The wrong light fixtures can wash out colors or emphasize flaws, while a lack of natural or task lighting can make it impossible to maneuver efficiently. By replacing old, dim or inefficient fixtures and adding new ones that improve light quality and visibility, homeowners can amplify the value of their remodel for a relatively small investment. If you’re planning a major kitchen remodel, it’s wise to include a lighting budget in the overall remodeling cost.