
The Benefits of Kitchen Remodeling
Kitchen Remodeling is one of the primary parts of home improvement. It changes the structure and style of your kitchen. Kitchen Remodeling Tacoma WA specializes in making complex design alterations and construction. Want to improve your cooking space without spending a fortune? Try installing a swing-out tap that makes it easier to fill pots near your cooktop.
One of the best things about kitchen remodeling is that it allows you to add design elements, colors, storage and capabilities that are truly your own. Many of these features will make your kitchen stylish and aesthetically pleasing while others are designed to increase functionality and ease of use.
A good example is a dedicated workspace for garbage disposal and recycling. A pull-out drawer or cabinet with garbage and recycling bins makes these tasks quick, easy and convenient while helping you be more environmentally responsible. In addition, a dedicated workspace in the kitchen is also useful for paying bills, doing schoolwork or writing recipes.
Another aspect of kitchen remodeling that increases functionality is redesigning seating areas. Whereas once nobody sat in the kitchen except for maybe a quick cup of coffee or breakfast at a tiny table, today’s homeowners want more seating options in their kitchens. This can include banquette or breakfast nook seating, island or peninsula countertop seating and even high-top tables with bar-stool seating.
Other factors that help to make a kitchen more functional include the layout, work flow and room relationships, lighting and storage. The layout is a big factor as it determines the positioning of countertops and where other key features like sinks and refrigerators are situated. A basic principle of kitchen layout is the “working triangle” concept, which establishes the three most frequently operated points in a kitchen – the sink, stove and refrigerator – in a triangular formation so they are easily accessible from any point in the room.
Workflow and room relationships are important because they affect how efficient a kitchen is. A good way to improve these dynamics is through reconfiguring walls, reorienting counters and islands and adding visual boundaries that separate rooms or zones without creating physical barriers. For example, using a mix of flooring and wall colors or textures helps to define different areas in an open space without needing to build a physical barrier.
Aesthetics
Kitchen remodeling can be a great opportunity to make your custom home more beautiful. But it’s important to remember that functionality should still be the number one priority in any kitchen design. It’s easy to get swept up in aesthetics and forget that the kitchen is used on a daily basis. You want a space that makes your life easier, not more difficult.
White is a popular color choice for a modern kitchen. It’s a clean, classic style that can easily be made your own with the use of different tile patterns and materials, contrasting appliances and decorative touches.
Country kitchens rely on natural colors, rustic accents and homey details that create a comfortable feel in your home. Flowing lines, open shelving and farmhouse-style furniture make this kitchen style ideal for those who love to entertain.
Bring the warmth and depth of the French countryside to your kitchen with a Provencal-inspired design. Color schemes range from rich bronzes and russets to deep blue cobalt, which can be worked into tablecloths, chair cushions and curtains or used as cabinet undertones.
Transitional kitchens balance the comfort and warmth of traditional styles with the clean profiles and neutral colors of contemporary designs. This style is versatile enough to be both casual and elegant, and it can be further accentuated with the use of contrasting woods in furniture, flooring and trim.
A rustic-modern kitchen combines the cozy, lived-in appeal of country kitchens with the clean lines of modern styles. Natural materials like wood floors, open shelves and reclaimed barnwood are featured prominently in this look, which also incorporates elements such as wrought iron pendant lights and a reclaimed-brick backsplash.
A bohemian kitchen offers a chance to showcase your bold, eclectic side. Colorful backsplash tile, woven rattan barstools and a La Cornue range combine to create this breezy, coastal-inspired space in blogger Julia Berolzheimer’s Lowcountry cottage. Muted paint finishes such as Farrow & Ball’s Parma Gray No. 27 and a pale-blue ceiling pair with the blue-and-white palette for a cohesive look.
Energy Efficiency
Kitchen remodeling is often an opportunity to improve energy efficiency. You can add a new refrigerator that is more efficient than your old one, for example. You can also replace the light fixtures in your kitchen with LED bulbs that use less energy and generate less heat than traditional light bulbs. By incorporating energy efficient appliances and materials into your kitchen, you can lower your energy bills and make your home more comfortable.
Kitchens account for up to 15% of a home’s energy consumption, and a significant amount of that is spent on lighting. One of the easiest ways to improve your kitchen’s energy efficiency is by replacing all the light fixtures with energy-efficient models. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available, including under-cabinet lights that fit over your cabinetry and use just as much light as a regular fixture but consume up to 75% less energy and last 10 times longer.
Another way to save energy in the kitchen is by installing a hot water circulation pump. This device sends hot water to your faucets almost instantly, which can help you cut down on your energy costs and your water usage. You can find these pumps at most home improvement and department stores, and you may even be able to qualify for a grant or rebate through the Weatherization Assistance Program if you’re eligible.
You can also add other energy-saving features to your kitchen during a remodel, such as radiant floor heating. This type of heating is known to increase comfort and decrease the need for large windows, as well as reduce allergens and moisture in the air. It’s an ideal alternative to forced air heating and can be installed underneath your kitchen, in any basement areas, or in the ceiling of your living space above the kitchen.
It’s important to consider the energy efficiency of your kitchen during any renovation, but especially during a major remodel. If you’re not sure where to start, create a list of the items you need to have in your kitchen and compare that to the things you would like to see in there. That will help you focus on what’s most important and keep your costs down.
Value
Investing in Kitchen Remodeling is one of the best ways to increase your home’s value. According to the National Association of Realtors, kitchen renovations offer the highest return on investment compared to any other home improvement project. This makes sense, as the kitchen is considered the heart of the home and a high-demand feature for prospective buyers.
A quality kitchen remodel can recoup between 54 and 72 percent of its cost, depending on the extent of the remodeling project. However, it is important to keep in mind that ROI averages vary by region and the type of kitchen remodel completed. Kitchen projects that are too expensive for the local market will struggle to recoup their costs. In addition, over-personalizing a kitchen will limit its appeal to potential buyers.
The process of kitchen remodeling can be complex, and it is crucial to work with a licensed and reputable contractor. Make sure that your contractor has a state-issued license and certificate of insurance. Also, it is a good idea to find out whether they belong to any professional associations. This will give you the confidence that your contractor is up to date with current industry trends and standards.
In addition to adding value, a kitchen remodel can also improve your quality of life. In fact, a full 90 percent of homeowners report enjoying their homes more after kitchen remodeling. This happiness translates into lower risk behaviors, including drug and alcohol abuse, poor school performance, and mental health issues.
Kitchen remodeling can also reduce the time your home spends on the market when you decide to sell. This is due to a number of factors, including the fact that prospective buyers will be less likely to request repairs and price reductions.
Kitchen remodels are not only a great way to increase the resale value of your home, but they can also save you money on utility bills. By installing new energy-efficient appliances, you can cut your monthly utility bills and save thousands of dollars over the life of the appliances. A savvy homeowner will consider these benefits when choosing which kitchen upgrades to install.