When you think about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom, what goes through your mind? Do you dream of heated floors and recycled glass countertops? While picturing your kitchen or bath looking like something off of HGTV is a beautiful daydream, this kind of kitchen and bath remodeling may not do as much to increase your home value as you think. What’s the best type of renovation when it comes to ROI?
Getting your kitchen remodeled can be an exciting but stressful process. Once the design is complete and you have the contractors booked, there are a numbers of things that you can do in order to make the whole process much smoother.
Okay, so at this point, you’ve already decided you’re going to remodel your kitchen. You’ve also got some ideas, and you’ve even decided to go with a professional general contractor instead of getting a friend of a friend who’s a handyman to remodel your kitchen for you. But that’s not where it stops! With so many options out there when it comes to choosing the right contractor, it’s not hard to want to give up after a lot of research. It also doesn’t help that there’s so much terminology getting thrown around, making it even more confusing when you’re trying to make what should be a simple decision. But that’s why we’ve written this blog post—to provide you with a handy checklist of some of the most important things you should be on the lookout for to make sure you’ve got the right contractor to remodel your kitchen for you.
All right. So you’ve finally decided that it’s time to remodel your kitchen. Out with the old, in with the new. You’ve done a surprising amount of research already: after some discussing, you’ve (more or less) settled on a theme. You have a pretty detailed budget. You’ve even chosen a decent amount of essentials and accessories that you want in your brand new, remodeled kitchen. So far, so good.
Your home is an investment as well as a sanctuary from the outside world. A well-done kitchen remodel project offers you a chance to increase your home’s functionality and comfort, while providing a bump up in your selling price once it comes time to sell. In the 2014 Cost vs. Value Report of Remodeling Magazine, it states that a minor kitchen remodel will return 82.7% of the value invested when it comes time to sell. If you don’t plan on selling for a few years, you can still enjoy the increased value in ease and efficiency of the new kitchen design.
If you’re not ready to gut out the plumbing or rewire electrical systems, you might be thinking more along the lines of a minor kitchen remodel project. A minor kitchen remodel avoids changing the layout of the kitchen or replacing the floor. Here are some of the items included in minor remodeling project:
Minor remodeling projects will stick to low-cost materials like laminate. Corian and marble countertops will add a lot more cost to the project, however, they do tend to have a more luxurious look. You will get to choose your favorite material and see samples of them before you start the remodeling project.
Old appliances are pulled out and more energy-efficient models are brought in. You can change the entire look of a kitchen simply by updating appliances. New appliances can also significantly increase the functionality of your kitchen.
A fresh coat of paint on the walls can help erase years of grease and grime that build-up in most kitchens over time. It brightens the atmosphere considerably and makes the kitchen look new. Adding tile backsplashes can also complement a new paint job beautifully.
Another focal point that is really inexpensive and can make your kitchen chores far easier is the sink and faucet area. You can opt for deeper or wider sinks to accommodate larger pots. You can get faucets that offer you the choice of a spray nozzle or a drip faucet all in one model. There are so many choices out there now in kitchen gadgetry, that it’s a good idea to sit down with a professional to go over all your options.
Hire a professional company, like ReBath & 5 Day Kitchens of Phoenix, AZ, that specializes in kitchen remodel projects and you can get built-in designer services at no additional cost. You won’t be the one trudging to the home improvement store to pick up paint swatches and tile choices and then trying to match them all later. Instead, you’ll have the ability to see other projects that ReBath & 5 Day Kitchens has completed, along with the samples that helped them get the work done, even as you’re still in the initial stages of the consultation. Their expert remodelers will also be able to guide you on functionality and style in a way that will fit into any budget. When you hire a knowledgeable remodeling company like ReBath & 5 Day Kitchens, they will provide you with the inspiration and technical know-how to get a superior job done with the latest styles and trends in kitchen remodeling.
The cabinets make the kitchen. They not only dictate the look and feel of the kitchen, but determine the organization of the space. When choosing your kitchen cabinets, there are five characteristics to consider. By keeping these five traits in mind, you can rest assured that your kitchen will look its best!
A general rule is to keep the style consistent throughout the house. If you have a modern style house, your kitchen cabinets should reflect that. If you have a Southwestern style home, (which is very popular out here in Phoenix), then your kitchen should reflect that environment. Whatever your style, consider how your cabinetry can compliment the space. Now, just because style consistency is a time tested rule, doesn’t mean you can’t break the rule! Plenty of people are allocating different styles to each room of the house. While your kitchen may be rustic, the living room could have a 1920s vibe. That being said, it’s up to you! Find a style that works for you and then go for it! Don’t hold back!
There are three components to consider when choosing the color of your kitchen cabinets;
Style and color go hand in hand. You couldn’t have a truly 1940s kitchen with metallic colored cabinets, for example. The style largely dictates what colors you can use. It is important to note how the color meshes with the appliances. Stainless steel appliances can usually work with any color. Finally, you should consider what you like! Just because earthy tones match your granite, doesn’t mean you have to use them! Make sure you are choosing a color your like! You’ll be the one staring at it from years to come.
Some popular kitchen styles and colors around The Valley of The Sun include:
This clean and elegant layout reflects its natural outdoor surroundings by utilizing a variety of dark browns and earthy tones. Did you notice the see-through cabinets? These are great for showcasing fine china, wine glasses, or other beautiful serving wear. You’ll notice the cabinets are set just below the ceiling. This gives the kitchen a more open look and the right lighting can add a dramatic flare to the space.
The granite counter tops and back splash are complimented by the dark wood in the kitchen cabinets. Overall, this look is inviting, warm and well put together.
These rustic cabinets give the kitchen an old-time country look, popular in many homes around central and southern Phoenix. Most notably is the accented cabinets surrounding the oven and stove. This not only provides depth to the space, but also gives a beautiful focal point. Utilizing an accent color in the design of your cabinets can really make the space appear larger and more unique.
You’ll also notice the wet bar on the left hand side. That space could have easily utilized to include a desk and workspace, or an area for more storage. Our designers at ReBath and 5 Day Kitchens, can help you design the perfect kitchen for your space.
The word to best describe these kitchen cabinets is “cool.” They are very modern with a little bit of edge. The handles are sleek and accent well against the dark color. A horizontal handle usually makes the space appear wider, and therefore larger, than it actually is.
Notice the lighter colored cabinets on the island. As in the picture above, these accent cabinets add depth and a nice focal point to the space. You may have also noticed the vertical handles on the accented cabinets. Don’t be afraid to mix up styles and designs within the same space! Although the differences between a horizontal and vertical handle may seem small, they can make a huge impact on the overall style and feel.
Most people don’t take storage into consideration until it is to late. Don’t be one of them! When designing your kitchen, make sure your cabinets have a surplus of storage. This cannot be stressed enough! Having a kitchen that looks impeccable is not enough.
In order to get the most storage in your kitchen cabinets, make sure you take full inventory of ALL kitchen related items. Then create 10%-20% more storage in your new kitchen. This way you will be able to handle additional products. Plus, if you ever sell your home, the plentiful storage will increase your home’s value.
Our showrooms in Phoenix, AZ, are filled with different storage ideas. Stop by and see how you incorporate storage and functionality in your kitchen area.
The cost for remodeling a kitchen varies from client to client. However, it is free to find out exactly how much it will cost to get the kitchen of your dreams. Contact one of our ReBath designers today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
Make sure you understand what cleaning supplies work well with your cabinetry. A ReBath Designer can tell you exactly what cleaners won’t damage your cabinets and also offer instructions on maintenance. You can find a full list of approved ReBath Cleaners by clicking here!
