Whether you are planning on constructing a kitchen from the ground up or a weekend makeover, a kitchen upgrade is challenging at any scale. If asked what they’d love to have in a home, most people’s answer will be: “I’d love a modern, upgraded kitchen.” It’s because remodeling the kitchen is a larger financial investment than renovating other rooms in the home. Not only does it enhance the home’s functionality, but it also takes the property’s resale value a notch higher.
The kitchen and bathroom are the most popular remodeling projects despite the high costs involved. According to a statistical report on Statista, nine percent of homeowners in the US had set aside $5,000 or less for their kitchen remodeling plans in 2016. Between 2017 and 2018, the average spend on kitchen makeover projects increased by 27%. That’s an indication that homeowners are willing to upgrade their kitchens instead of moving out.
How one executes the project matters a lot. There is a need to pay attention to every detail, from the measurements to fixture installation. Any mistake may mean extra thousands of dollars. There are plenty of things property owners can do to upgrade the kitchen, but what upgrades will add style and value to the space? Read on to get the best tips for a kitchen upgrade.
Think Functionality
Think functionality and efficiency first. After demolishing a kitchen, or demolishing non-load-bearing walls to expand the kitchen space, most people tend to think having expansive spaces is the best idea. They’ll design the kitchen with broader spaces between the island and the walls to make it inviting and airy, but that’s not efficiency. It makes it challenging to work and clean the kitchen.
Instead, design the kitchen with a work triangle that includes the sink, refrigerator, and the working station. Companies like Agape Home Services can help achieve the dream kitchen renovation. These areas should be at equidistance from each other. Why? Because these are the places you repeatedly visit when cooking. For instance, if a person prefers talking to the guests while cooking healthy meals on the adjacent side of the island, the distance between them should let them freely converse. If possible, have a large window facing the guests so that they can enjoy an outdoor view.
Upgrade the Backsplash
Changing a kitchen design from an enclosed design to an open and easy-to-navigate floor plan is an excellent means of remodeling an old kitchen. Improving the backsplash is also a surefire way of making the space assume an inviting ambiance. Besides, a kitchen backsplash protects the walls against spills, stains, and fires. Therefore, you need to be careful about the type and pattern of tiles you choose. The secret is to get very good instructions to avoid mistakes when applying the mastic and grout.
Light Up the Kitchen
Another critical thing to consider when doing a kitchen makeover is lighting. Many homeowners love installing recessed lighting in the kitchen, but expert interior designers recommend that you have surface-mounted lighting fixtures on the ceiling. Hanging lights are suspended below the ceiling level and add more even lighting than the theater-style recessed lighting. It’s beautiful, too.
Adding bigger pendant lighting over the island adds a functional decorative fixture, especially now that people want to achieve a merry kitchen atmosphere during the holiday season. The cabinets can also block natural lighting from reaching the countertop or other light-dependent areas. Therefore, try having under-cabinet lighting that you can easily switch on and off.
One cannot overemphasize the importance of a functional and beautiful kitchen in a home. It is where people prepare healthy meals and entertain friends and family. That said, it is important to know how to effectively execute a remodeling project to get the desired aesthetics and increase the home’s resale value.