It’s a good idea to hire licensed professionals for tasks like plumbing and electrical work. This ensures your remodel is done correctly and leaves you with a kitchen that’s safe to use.
A full Kitchen Remodeling Fort Worth TX can involve gutting the room, dropping walls, rerouting gas lines, and rewiring electric. This kind of remodel can be costly and will require a longer timeline.
Cabinets are an integral part of every kitchen and can be the focus of a kitchen remodeling project. A professional can help you design cabinets that complement your decor and are functional for the space. They can also advise you on cost-saving options that can give you a beautiful new kitchen without blowing your budget. For example, painting your cabinets rather than replacing them with a more expensive material can save you money. So can using particleboard where it won’t be seen and doing the demolition yourself to minimize labor costs.
A good contractor will know how to position your base cabinets to allow for easy movement between the sink, refrigerator, and oven. They can also plan ahead for the future placement of upper cabinets, ensuring you have adequate clearances between the bottom of the counter and the ceiling. They can even use a tape measure to map out the exact location of each fixture and appliance, so you’re not left with bottlenecks down the line.
You can find a wide variety of styles, colors, and finishes to choose from in cabinets today. Some homeowners want to go with a more contemporary look with open shelves or even glass-door cabinets. Others prefer a more traditional style with paneled doors or darker wood. Those who have a smaller space can take advantage of shallow cabinets that offer more storage in a smaller floor area.
One trend in cabinetry is to add manufactured imperfections, such as wormholes and rasping, to the surface of wood to give it an aged appearance. Other popular finishes include paint and glazes in a range of shades and textures.
Typically, cabinet boxes are constructed of plywood or high-quality particle board. They need to be sturdy enough to stand up to the weight of heavy countertops and resist moisture damage. They also need to be strong enough not to bend or sag over time. Particleboard is cheaper than plywood, but it’s vulnerable to soaking up moisture that can cause it to swell and warp.
A well-planned kitchen remodeling project is an excellent way to increase the resale value of your home. A good remodeler can provide you with a timeline for the entire project and an estimate of how much each aspect of the work will cost. If you don’t have the funds to complete your project in cash, you can apply for a home equity loan to get the funding you need.
Countertops
Countertops set the tone for your entire kitchen, making them a major focal point of any room. From pristine quartz countertops in white hues to industrial-inspired concrete designs and wood counters that add warmth, you have a number of popular options for upgrading your kitchen counters during a remodel.
The price of your counters will depend on the material, but labor is also a major contributor to the total cost. Some materials, such as stone and concrete, require specialized equipment and professional installation to ensure accurate cuts and the best results. A granite countertop, for example, can be one of the most expensive materials on the market but can increase your home’s value due to its durability and unique look.
Fortunately, there are a variety of inexpensive and easy-to-install alternatives that can significantly improve your kitchen’s look without breaking the bank. Laminate is the cheapest option, but it doesn’t offer the high-end aesthetic of other materials. Alternatively, you can purchase tile that features an array of colors, patterns, and textures to help you achieve your desired kitchen design. Newer porcelain types even mimic the texture of natural stone and other materials for a more aesthetically pleasing option that’s easier to clean.
Another great kitchen renovation idea is to extend your countertops all the way down to the floor to create waterfall counters. This feature works well with minimalist and modern home styles and can provide additional storage space for utensils and cookware that might otherwise clutter your countertop.
A rework of your countertops can also be an opportunity to reconfigure your sink and update its plumbing, particularly if you plan on replacing it during the project. A new sink can make your entire kitchen feel like a brand new room and can have a positive impact on the overall price of your kitchen remodel project.
A popular upgrade is to install integrated cutting boards that sit flush with your counters. This kitchen improvement can instantly make your cooking space more functional by providing easy access to a surface where you can cut meats and vegetables. These cutting boards are made from a different material than the rest of the counter to avoid splintering or cracking, and they can be wiped clean with a regular application of special oil.
Flooring
Flooring should account for 7% of your total remodeling budget. Whether it’s engineered hardwood or an eco-friendly tile choice, the right floor can elevate your kitchen and set a stylish tone.
Many experts recommend installing your new floors before your cabinets. Some believe it will provide a more seamless look and will support any future layout changes you might desire down the road. Installing the floors first will also allow the wood to expand and contract as needed, which can be hampered by heavy cabinets on top of it.
Hardwood is a popular choice for kitchen floors. It’s beautiful and offers warmth underfoot while being easy to clean. It’s also a durable option that can stand up to stains and scratches. If you want to add a touch of elegance, consider adding herringbone or parquet patterns to your hardwood flooring.
If you’re interested in a more modern and functional kitchen design, consider tile floors. Tile is durable and easy to clean, and it comes in a wide variety of colors and textures. Try mixing and matching your tiles to create a unique backsplash and floor.
You can even make your flooring greener with recycled glass tiles, which are made of repurposed glass bottles that would otherwise be sent to landfills. These tiles come in a range of colors, from vibrant teals to greens and blues, that will give your kitchen a one-of-a-kind look.
Another way to green up your kitchen is with a cork floor, which is made from the bark of a cork tree. It’s sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable, and it’s also hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. Cork is also soft and comfortable underfoot, making it a great option for a family kitchen. Cork floors are also available in a wide variety of designs, so you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your style and budget.
Lighting
Lighting is one of the most popular parts of a kitchen remodel and can transform the look of the room. There are several types of lighting to choose from, including recessed, pendant, and task lights. Having a variety of options gives homeowners the flexibility to choose what type of ambiance they want for their kitchen. Lighting can also be controlled by adding a dimmer switch to set the mood for dining and entertaining.
Recessed lights are the most common and are installed in the ceiling, preserving a sense of openness and space in the room. They are unobtrusive and can be used to provide ambient or recessed kitchen lighting. Pendant lights are more decorative and can be used for kitchen island lighting or to add a focal point above the kitchen table. Depending on the style, they can be an ideal way to create kitchen lighting in an open-concept home or in rooms with high ceilings.
Task lighting is essential for workspaces like the kitchen island and countertops. It can be achieved with a pendant light or with battery-operated LED puck lights under cabinets. They are especially useful in dark corners and can be positioned to focus on specific tasks.
Accent and decorative lighting can be used for special features, artwork, or other visual elements. Whitehead suggests using recessed, adjustable fixtures that allow the homeowner to spotlight framed art and other items on the walls. This is a growing trend as homeowners embrace the idea of their kitchens as more of a living or gathering space.
Lighting should be planned early on in the project, and it is a good idea to get a contractor involved to do the electrical and plumbing rough-in work. These are significant construction tasks that require licensed and professional plumbers, electricians, and HVAC workers.
While custom features can add to the value of your home, it is important not to over-customize a kitchen to avoid limiting its future resale appeal. For example, adding a walk-in wine cellar may be appealing to you now, but it might only attract a limited buyer base in the future when you are ready to sell your home.
