Kitchen Remodeling Lexington KY can be expensive, but it increases the value of your home and makes it more functional. Homeowners often recoup the expense at resale.
Remodeling also makes sense to update deteriorating materials, such as worn flooring or outdated appliances. Safety is another important consideration; install fire-resistant surfaces and accessible storage for a fire extinguisher.
A kitchen remodel is an expensive project that can eat up a significant portion of your home’s value. As a result, it’s important to set and stick to a budget. The exact budget you need depends on the scope of your kitchen renovation as well as the materials and finishes you choose. A good general rule is to allocate 10–25% of your home’s value to the kitchen remodel.
Some projects are more costly than others, but there are ways to save money while still getting the best possible results. For example, replacing countertops with less expensive materials like quartz or laminate can still give your kitchen a high-end look and feel without breaking the bank. There are also low-maintenance materials that can be used for cabinets and flooring, saving you time and money by not needing to be re-stained or replaced as frequently.
Another way to save on kitchen remodeling is by doing the majority of the work yourself instead of hiring a contractor. If you have the skills and time to manage the project, doing so can save you 30 percent or more on your total cost. Using low-cost materials and sticking to a simple design can also help cut costs.
Finally, it’s a good idea to have an emergency fund or credit line available for unexpected expenses. It’s not uncommon for unforeseen problems to arise during renovations, and they can easily throw off your original timeline and budget. Try to set aside 20% of your overall budget for this purpose, as this can help you avoid any surprises and stay on track throughout the process.
If you’re unsure of which options are best for your budget, speak with an expert real estate agent in your area who can provide advice on which kitchen remodels offer the highest ROI. Keep in mind that a chef’s kitchen may not appeal to future buyers in your price range, and you might end up spending more than you can recoup when it comes time to sell your home. For the most customized and accurate estimate of your kitchen’s renovation costs, consult a qualified professional designer.
Layout
A kitchen remodel is one of the best ways to add value to your home. However, before you start knocking down walls and tearing out cabinets, you should know how much a new kitchen will cost and how it will look when finished. The process of remodeling a kitchen is often complex, and you should hire a team of professionals to handle the construction, design, and plumbing. A good kitchen should be functional and comfortable, and this requires a carefully designed layout.
The first step in kitchen remodeling is the demolition and removal of existing fixtures, appliances, drywall, flooring, and cabinetry. This is a messy and noisy phase, but it’s important to get rid of everything you don’t want to keep. This is also an ideal time to fix any problems with the kitchen’s electrical system or plumbing. If you’re planning to add any luxury features, such as a wine refrigerator or water filtration system, now is the time to install them.
When designing the kitchen, consider your lifestyle and how you use your space. This will help you determine the size and layout of the room, as well as how many people you cook for. If you entertain guests, you might want to include seating in your kitchen, or you might need more storage space for food and drink. It’s also important to consider how the kitchen will connect with other areas of your home, especially if you have an open floor plan.
Another factor to consider is the kitchen’s work flow. It’s helpful to create a diagram to show where each task will occur. This will help you determine the layout of your sink, stove, and refrigerator and how to make these spaces work together efficiently. A good way to do this is to follow the time-tested concept of the “kitchen triangle.” This involves arranging these three main work areas so they’re close to each other, making them easy and logically accessible.
When designing your kitchen, remember that standard clearances are important for the safety of your family and friends. For example, you should leave at least 24 inches of space above the fridge and 18 inches of space beside your sink. Also, it’s helpful to create a 15-inch landing zone above or beside the microwave.
Materials
A kitchen is where delicious food is prepared and enchanting beverages are mixed, but it’s also a space that can quickly become outdated or worn out. Whether it’s a matter of aesthetics or the need for more functional storage, a kitchen remodel can add value to a home, as long as homeowners are careful about which materials they choose and how much they spend.
Generally speaking, the biggest cost of a kitchen remodel is labor. The amount of time and effort a project takes will have a direct impact on the final price tag, which is why it’s crucial for homeowners to understand what their budget is before starting a remodel. It’s also helpful to decide at the beginning if a general contractor or designer will be involved, as this can help them get better rates on certain items and keep the homeowner on track throughout the remodel process.
While inexpensive materials such as fiberboard and plywood are often used for cabinets, solid wood cabinetry is a high-end option that will add value to a kitchen remodel. Stainless steel cabinets are another high-end option that is extremely durable and easy to clean. For more affordable options, painted cabinetry with a shaker or flat panel design can be an economical choice for the kitchen.
Backsplash tile is a popular choice for kitchen remodeling, but it’s important to note that the material will be in contact with water and heat and can wear down quickly. Instead, try a more affordable tile, such as standard ceramic or glass, for a backsplash that won’t need to be cleaned as frequently.
Countertops are often a focal point in the kitchen, so choosing a material that looks good and can stand up to use is essential. Natural stone is often a top choice for countertop material due to its durability and beauty, but it’s also a high-end option that can be expensive. For a more affordable option, consider laminate or solid-surface countertops that can stand up to abuse.
When it comes to appliances, newer models tend to be more energy efficient, which will lower utility bills and reduce a home’s carbon footprint. However, some older appliances may still be using far more energy than necessary, which can be costly to a homeowner in terms of energy bills and can even cause damage to the refrigerator. For this reason, it’s often worth the extra expense to upgrade to more energy-efficient appliances if the homeowner is comfortable spending the extra money.
Design
The design phase of the kitchen remodel is when the new kitchen begins to take shape. It’s when cabinets are hung, walls and ceilings are finished, and plumbing and electrical are updated as needed. It’s also a good time to incorporate any new storage solutions, such as pull-out pan racks, baskets, and trash containers.
During this stage, it’s essential to think about a color scheme that reflects your personal style and matches the rest of your home. Keep in mind that the kitchen is where most of your cooking occurs, so choosing a color that’s easy to maintain is important. Also, consider how much natural light the space gets and if you want to include a window or skylight in the kitchen.
If you’re not experienced in tackling a kitchen remodel yourself, you may want to seek out general contractors who offer design assistance as part of their services. They can help you find a layout that will work best in your space and suggest colors, materials, and fixtures to match.
Once the rough-in is completed, it’s time to install and tape any drywall that’s needed. This can be tricky, but experienced teams know how to hang and tape drywall correctly so that it looks great and is safe to touch.
If your kitchen remodel includes an expansion, it’s likely that you will need to reroute or add plumbing pipes as well. This is also a good time to upgrade old galvanized pipes to PEX.
Countertops are another element of kitchen remodeling that can make a big difference. This is an excellent opportunity to add a beautiful, durable material that will make the space more functional and appealing.
If you’re including an island in your kitchen, consider adding a built-in sink or a dishwasher that’s integrated into the countertop. Keeping in mind the kitchen work triangle principle, you should try to group appliances close together, like the cooktop, refrigerator, and sink, so that the cook can move from one area to the other efficiently. You should also consider incorporating additional storage solutions into your cabinetry, such as pull-out drawers for pots and pans or custom organizers.
