So, you are thinking about kitchen renovations to kick off the New Year? Wonderful! It is a wise investment, as improving the form and function of your kitchen will make a vast difference to you as a homeowner, and for any prospective homebuyers when the time comes.
Renovations are also a great way to fix any problems you currently have. The hard part is deciding what you should prioritize. Here are some top tips for awesome kitchen renovations.
1. Get new cabinets
Outdated or downright ugly kitchen cabinets are a major problem for any kitchen even if they are still in good condition. Refacing is one option, but it can be more trouble than it is worth, and quite expensive to boot if you are refacing all your cabinets (as you should).
If you are doing a major kitchen renovation, your best move is to replace the cabinets with new ones. A slew of great designs and top-notch quality cabinets in different finishes are available for the picking, so it is just a matter of choosing the right ones for your overall design. An experienced cabinet specialist can help you make the right choice.
2. Choose updated hardware
If replacing your kitchen cabinets is more than your budget can take, you can do the next best thing ad choose updated hardware. Most people are not aware that the hardware can completely change the look of the cabinets. The trend favors smaller, sleeker, and plainer hardware to impart a more modern feel to the cabinets. The most common materials for this new hardware are matte aluminum and stainless steel.
Old style hardware with intricate designs also tends to be difficult to maintain. New designs and materials for hardware make it much easier to keep them in good condition.
3. Go for open shelves
A good way to upgrade your storage space, save some money, and make your kitchen look more spacious is to replace your wall cabinets with open shelves. Open shelving has been trending for a couple of years, and it is likely to continue for a while as most people like in smaller homes with smaller kitchens than before. Open shelves create the illusion of space, which is a good thing for tiny kitchens.
If the idea of having all your stuff in plain sight makes you shudder and you have the budget for it, the next best thing is to choose wall cabinets with frosted glass fronts. You can hide the clutter behind closed doors, but the semi-solid glass front still makes the room appear to be more spacious.
4. Change your kitchen countertops
The next thing you should prioritize in renovating your kitchen is the kitchen countertops. You use them all the time, and they are crucial in food preparation. Aside from that, kitchen counters are as highly visible as your kitchen cabinets, so you want to make sure they make the right impression.
The best materials you can choose for maximizing your investment in kitchen countertops are granite, quartz, and marble. Choose any one of these and you are sure to get a positive reaction. Natural stones and engineered quartz are the top favorites of homeowners and designers because they are extremely durable, quite beautiful, and food safe, which makes them ideal for the kitchen.
They do come in a wide array of colors and designs, so make sure you choose one that will match or complement your kitchen cabinets. You can also use kitchen countertops as the basis for your choice in cabinet styles. It works just as well.
5. Replace your floors
Most people did not used to be too particular when it comes to kitchen floors, because hardly anyone saw them. In most old houses, you would see ceramic tiles or much-scuffed wood floors. These are perfectly good flooring material, but since the kitchen is a high-traffic area, keeping them in good condition is a tough job.
If you want to upgrade your kitchen, replace your old floors as well to make sure it looks just as great as your kitchen cabinets and countertops.
This is especially important if you have an open layout.
Some of the top favorites for modern new floors are engineered wood, natural stones, and hardwood. These are all beautiful, and with the right installation and sealer, they should be quite easy to maintain. They are also very durable, and will last for a very long time with reasonable care
Make sure that when you choose floor materials for your kitchen that they are non-slip, as kitchens are hazardous places, often exposed to oil, grease and water. Consult your contractor for the best types of flooring materials.
6. Put in some kitchen seats
A great addition to your kitchen is some comfortable seating. You stand when working in the kitchen, but you are not always working in the kitchen. Most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen eating, doing homework, entertaining, or just talking about their day. You want to have some great seating in there, such as bar tools if you have a double-tiered kitchen island, or some bench seating along the walls or in a breakfast nook.
Conclusion
Kitchen renovations can be a simple matter if you have your priorities straight. Kitchen cabinets, countertops, and floors are all essential parts of your kitchen, and they can make an immense improvement in the function and form of your kitchen.
You will most likely need professional help for your renovations, so make sure you get reliable suppliers. Cabinet Land Kitchen and Beyond is your best bet for finding the right cabinets for your kitchen upgrade. We are a local remodeling company with a showroom located in Schaumburg, Illinois. We service the areas of Chicago, Schaumburg, Arlington Height. Des Plaines, Hoffman Estate, Elk Grove Village in Illinois.
We work only with the best brands at the best prices compared to our competitors such as Advance Cabinets and Handsome Cabinets. Also we offer better free consultation services and quotes, so you know exactly what to expect from your purchase.
We have the expertise and resources to complete virtually any type of kitchen cabinets – ON TIME and ON BUDGET with top quality craftsmanship that will exceed your expectations.
Visit us today to see what we have to offer.
