What to Consider When Remodeling a Kitchen
What to Consider When Remodeling a Kitchen
A kitchen remodel is a big undertaking. The stakes are high—the rewards tremendous. But what should you consider when planning a kitchen remodel? This is where an experienced kitchen designer can add significant value to your remodeling project.
How to Determine Your Budget and Timeline for a Kitchen Remodel
Whether you choose to spend $50,000 or $200,000 on a kitchen remodel, it’s important to stick to your budget. A budget not only helps to maximize your return on investment but also makes for a more pleasant remodeling experience.
Timeline is another consideration in any remodeling project. Will you be living in the home during the kitchen renovation? Can you get by without full use of your kitchen? These are questions that savvy homeowners should think about before starting a kitchen remodel.
How Long Can a Full Kitchen Remodel Take?
Every kitchen remodel starts with a vision for the project. At Drury Design, we emphasize a collaborative design approach that incorporates your goals, tastes, preferences, and lifestyle. The next phase is working with a kitchen contractor for the installation, which can take up to six months depending on the size and scope of the remodel. Customized cabinets and other features generally extend the timeline.
How Do You Estimate the Cost of a Kitchen Remodel?
A general rule of thumb when it comes to kitchen remodeling is that you should expect to spend between 5 and 15 percent of your property’s total value. It can also be helpful to think about the breakdown of kitchen renovation costs as follows: cabinets, 25 percent; appliances, 20 percent; countertops, 15 percent; lighting, 10 percent; plumbing, 10 percent; flooring, 5 percent; and installation, an additional 10 percent.
Where Should You Splurge in Your Kitchen Remodel Budget?
When it comes to a major kitchen remodel, saving and splurging are two sides of the same coin. If you don’t like to cook, a Wolf range might not be worth the cost. But for avid home chefs, splurging on high-end appliances can enhance personal satisfaction. Other splurges that tend to pay off in resale include cabinetry, stone countertops, tile backsplash, and lighting.
Tips for Laying Out Your Dream Kitchen
Your dream kitchen’s layout should reflect your lifestyle and preferences. Consider where to put new appliances, how to balance work areas, and what storage capabilities you may need.
How Do You Design a Kitchen?
The first step in designing a kitchen is to take a careful inventory of how you plan to use the space. In 2020, 48 percent of millennials said they would cook more if they had the kitchen of their dreams. What does that dream kitchen look like? Function, comfort, and connectivity are general themes in today’s kitchen renovation projects that can help answer that question.
How Do You Know What Will Work Best with Your Kitchen’s Shape?
The five fundamental kitchen layouts are the L, G, U, single, and galley. In general, the size and shape of your old kitchen will inform the layout of your remodeled one. Drury Design can help you figure out which kitchen layout works best for your needs. The “kitchen triangle” was a popular theory dating back to the early twentieth century that included the sink, stove, and refrigerator. While the kitchen triangle still has its place, kitchen “zones” for eating, cooking and storage have become more popular, adapting to the way we live and work today. Zones also promote efficiency and functionality.
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Increase Home Value?
Despite the costs and inconveniences associated with a kitchen remodel, the return on investment (ROI) tends to be significant. According to this 2021 report, a midrange major kitchen remodel recouped 57 percent of its cost on average, while a luxury major kitchen remodel recouped 54 percent. For a minor kitchen remodel, those ROI figures are even higher at 72 percent.
How Do You Determine a Design for Your Kitchen Remodel?
For most homeowners, a kitchen remodel is not a DIY project, in part because it has so many components. A kitchen designer can help you think about aesthetics and functionality, while a kitchen contractor makes sure the kitchen design seamlessly integrates with plumbing and electrical. A kitchen designer can also anticipate your needs and offer personalized design choices.
What Factors Should You Consider When Deciding on a Design for a Kitchen Remodel?
This modern kitchen design reflects current demand for stainless steel appliances, neutral tones, and a practical layout. When deciding on a design for your kitchen remodel, it makes sense to consider popular trends in the context of your own personal preferences in case you decide to sell your home.
Deciding on a Design for Your Kitchen Remodel
At Drury Design, we understand that the thought of a kitchen remodel can feel overwhelming. This is why we put so much emphasis on the information-gathering and design stage. When you pick a design for your kitchen remodel, you are committing to a space in your home that you can enjoy for years to come.
What Professionals Can Help You Decide on a Design for Your Kitchen Remodel?
Our team of designers at Drury Design has extensive experience with kitchen remodels. We take pride in our collaborative process that ensures homeowners not only realize their vision but also keep to their budget and timeline.
Current Trends for Remodeled Kitchens
Design trends change frequently. But after widespread lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a seismic shift in current kitchen trends as people spent more time at home. According to the 2021 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, several remodeling themes emerged including more storage, less open floor plans, and smaller project scopes.
What Are the Top Kitchen Remodeling Trends for 2021?
Ninety-four percent of participants in the Houzz study reported either changing or replacing their kitchen cabinets. Traditional wood or walnut cabinets are out; brightly colored cabinets are in. In this article about kitchen color ideas, the style and color of cabinets are a major focal point of kitchen remodels—and for good reason. Cabinetry is a significant part of a kitchen’s aesthetic and can set the tone for the entire remodel.
Other remodeling trends from the study included improving indoor-outdoor flow, preserving separation of space between the kitchen and living areas, adding color contrasts and splashes of color, and scaling back project scope.
What Colors Are Trending Right Now for Kitchen Remodels?
Kitchen remodels in 2021 have been indulging in color like never before. While neutral colors like off-whites, beiges, and grays have always been popular, there has recently been an appetite for splashy color contrasts and brightly colored accessories.
Another consideration with regards to color is lighting. A kitchen’s balance of artificial and natural light will inform color choices. At Drury Design, we help our clients think carefully about color to create a fresh, pleasing aesthetic.
What Should You Consider Before Jumping on a Kitchen Remodeling Trend?
Some trends in kitchen remodeling come and go, but others have staying power. A design process that prioritizes functionality and comfort ensures that your kitchen remodel achieves that timeless quality.
This is yet another benefit of working with a professional designer. They can help you choose a style for your kitchen remodel that will not only feel personal to you but also embody a beautiful, ageless design language.
Enjoying the Kitchen Remodeling Process from Design to Installation
The kitchen is the heart of your home; it’s a vibrant space that you should want to be in, but you might not feel that way until you truly make it your own. And while a kitchen remodel can be costly and time-consuming, homeowner surveys have frequently shown that major renovation projects like these can be well worth the investment.
For the thoughtful homeowner with a vision for the project and a collaborative spirit, a kitchen remodel can be life-changing. After all, the kitchen is more than just a place to prepare food; it’s the heart and soul of a home. If you’re thinking about starting a kitchen remodel, we’d love to help you realize the kitchen of your dreams. Schedule a design consultation today.