Kitchens Cook Up Value

There’s no better way to give an old home a fresh start than remodeling the kitchen. Kitchens are the heart of family life, it’s where we go to prepare and eat meals together. Creating a pleasant, orderly environment for family gatherings is the core of kitchen remodeling.
Before you begin your kitchen remodeling project, you should identify the goals you wish to achieve. Are you looking for more cabinet space? Do you want more light? New appliances? Knowing what you want to do is just as important as getting it done, especially in kitchen remodeling.
Color sets the tone for any kitchen. With smaller kitchens you’ll want to use cool colors to make the kitchen space seem larger. In bigger kitchens, you have more flexibility.
Once you’ve chosen a color, consider your kitchen’s lighting scheme. You may want to use under cabinet or inset lighting for countertops. Pot and recessed lighting can create a soft light in your kitchen and with dimmers they will provide good lighting for tasks like washing dishes or cutting. Xenon lighting is steadily replacing halogens because xenon lights don’t create as many shadows in the kitchen.
Counters and floors are another major decision. Countertops can be among the most expensive components of a kitchen and also lead to many form versus function conflicts. A granite countertop may look great, but solid surface may be a better solution if you do a lot of cooking. With floors, you need to consider how much traffic your kitchen gets, as well as aesthetic concerns.
When budgeting your kitchen renovation include the cost of all labor (electricians, carpenters, gas technicians, plumbers, contractors etc.) While budgeting the kitchen renovation, you should try to account for as much as possible, then tack on another 20 percent. Unexpected costs often arise during kitchen renovations and the best way to compensate for these overruns it is to create a flexible budget.
Because kitchen renovations require advanced building, electrical and design skills, you’ll probably want to hire a contractor. Remember to shop around for price quotes and don’t be afraid to ask for portfolios and references. Kitchen remodeling is too big of a project to risk with a shady operator.
Kitchen remodeling is a time and money-intensive exercise, but by keeping a few basics in mind and by careful budgeting and hiring, you can be sure of a recipe for success.