A beautiful kitchen can increase the value of your home. It is also a feature that prospective homebuyers consider when touring properties.

Creating a functional kitchen is a big reason to remodel. Storage, traffic flows, and room relationships are important factors to consider during design.

Adding a pop of color is another way to boost visual appeal. This can include a paint job or adding eye-catching backsplashes.

Cabinets

Cabinets are the backbone of your kitchen, storing everything from food ingredients to appliances and accessories. They must be sturdy enough to hold these heavy items and yet attractive to look at. This is why cabinets are often the first thing a homeowner chooses to change when undergoing a kitchen remodel.

Whether the cabinets are new or old, a simple painting job can make a huge difference. This is a fairly easy project that can save you the cost of purchasing and installing new doors and drawer fronts. However, this is an important decision to consult with a professional before beginning. There are many options when it comes to paint, including semi-gloss and gloss finishes. Additionally, there is a wide range of hardware for cabinet doors. This includes push to open mechanisms, which allow you to slide the door open without the need for a handle. This is a popular option for people who prefer to have a clean, handle-less look.

For a more dramatic change, homeowners can replace the cabinet faces, known as the face frame, with a different material. There are several types of materials available, ranging from MDF to a solid hardwood face. MDF is a compressed wood product, which is similar to particle board in structure and has some advantages over natural or solid wood. However, it is important to note that MDF does emit formaldehyde gases, so this is a concern for some homeowners.

Another way to update your cabinets is by turning them into a bookshelf. This is a great option for people who love to read and need a space to escape into their favorite books. Upper kitchen cabinets are ideal for this because they don’t have a base like floor cabinets do. All that is needed is to remove the cabinet doors and turn them backward. You will also need to install safety hinges on the cabinet panel so that the door won’t slam on little fingers.

Countertops

Countertops are an essential part of any kitchen and a major design element that can have a big impact on the overall style. When choosing a new countertop, you’ll want to consider factors like your budget, lifestyle, and design aesthetic. A professional kitchen remodeler can help you choose a material that will work well with your cabinets and flooring.

A natural stone such as granite is an attractive choice because it’s heat-resistant and durable. It also adds resale value to your home and can complement many different design styles. If you’re looking for something more modern, quartz or solid surface countertops may be a good fit. These materials can be custom-made to your kitchen’s dimensions, eliminating seams and giving them a seamless appearance.

If you’re working with a tighter budget, laminate countertops are an affordable option. They can be made to effectively mimic the look of quartz, marble, and granite and come in a variety of colors and textures. They’re also heat-resistant and require little maintenance.

Another popular countertop material is recycled glass. It’s available in a wide range of colors and features a unique pattern through the embedded glass shards. It’s a great alternative to stone and provides a contemporary, clean look for your kitchen.

If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen with a modern touch, consider adding a backsplash to your countertops. These fixtures prevent water, grease and other icky substances from damaging your walls and offer a chance to put a creative spin on your remodeling project. Backsplashes can be created from a variety of materials, including cheaper options such as beadboard and tile or more expensive choices such as marble, granite, glass or stainless steel.

Appliances

The kitchen appliances you choose are a major element of your overall design. It’s a good idea to begin shopping for them early in the remodel process because they will impact many other aspects of your kitchen. For example, they’ll determine your layout, plumbing, electrical, counter cut outs, and cabinetry.

Many homeowners choose to remodel their kitchens because they want new appliances. However, brand and style should never be the main consideration when selecting appliances for a kitchen remodel. Instead, you should think about how you prepare food, cook and clean up. The best appliances for your kitchen will provide the features and functionality that suit your culinary needs.

In addition to being a great source of functionality, the right kitchen appliances can also boost your aesthetics. Some models of refrigerators and dishwashers have sleek, modern designs that are sure to elevate your kitchen. While others have a more classic, traditional look that complements almost any kitchen design.

There are even hidden appliances that can be integrated into your cabinets for a seamless, custom look. These are great for those with open-plan living spaces, as they allow you to maintain a consistent aesthetic without sacrificing your cooking capabilities.

Whether you want to store teacups, pans, or lids, you can use pegboard to free up valuable storage space in your upper cabinets or on shelving. It’s easy to install and can be an affordable way to add a personal touch to your kitchen.

If you’re planning on remodeling your kitchen, you will likely be without a working kitchen for an extended period of time. Creating a plan for how you will eat and drink will help to ease the stress of not being able to cook or clean for weeks on end.

Flooring

If you’re remodeling a kitchen on a budget, don’t be afraid to get creative. Repainting cabinets, adding silver or brushed nickel hardware and refinishing countertops can be an inexpensive way to give your space a fresh update. Alternatively, you can integrate a mudroom into the space and add a bench seating nook for casual dining. Introducing glass-fronted cabinetry allows for the display of beautiful dinnerware and contributes to an open, airy feel. Installing faux brick walls or panels is an easy way to add texture and urban style.

A full kitchen remodel is a more extensive project that typically involves demolishing or tearing out your existing cabinets and laying down new mechanical, electrical and plumbing lines. It will also involve rebuilding walls and a more thorough redesign of your space, with new features like structured enclosers, pass-through windows and even a pantry or island. Many homeowners choose to outsource the planning, design, and management of this work to a general contractor.

The right flooring can have a significant impact on your kitchen’s color palette, wall colors and accents. It’s one of the first decisions you’ll make for your new kitchen and will influence the rest of your design choices. Reynal recommends selecting a durable, easy-to-maintain material that will stand up to frequent traffic and food spills.

A full kitchen remodel is a great opportunity to customize your space and elevate the look of your home’s heart. However, be mindful that any custom items may only appeal to a small segment of future buyers and could limit your return on investment. A well-planned, comprehensive kitchen remodel can improve your quality of life in the space and add value to your property.

Lighting

In this important space where family and friends gather to enjoy food and conversation, you want your kitchen to reflect the personality of your home. While opulent artwork and ostentatious decorative pieces may seem out of place in the kitchen, there are simple ways to elevate your décor without the cost and hassle of a full remodel.

One of the most effective ways to spruce up a kitchen is through light fixtures. Not only does lighting illuminate the space but it can also set a mood and draw attention to specific features like backsplashes, appliances or cabinetry.

Recessed lighting offers a sleek, unobtrusive option for areas that need task lighting such as countertops and islands. Pendants are a great statement piece and are perfect over islands or breakfast nooks. Cabinet lighting is another way to add a decorative touch by illuminating fine china and stemware.

Another type of lighting to consider is LED strip lights. These self-adhesive strips provide a flexible and subtle lighting that can be placed along contours of cabinets. This style of lighting has a high CRI so it emits colors that are true to life, making them perfect for kitchens.

Lastly, track lighting and monorail systems are great options for adding a little flair to a kitchen. They come in a wide range of styles, so you can find the perfect fixture to suit your kitchen’s unique aesthetic.

If you’re ready to transform your kitchen into a beautiful and functional space, reach out to a licensed remodeling professional. They can advise you on the latest trends and innovations to help you create a kitchen that will be the heart of your home for years to come.