A successful kitchen remodel starts with careful planning. While many focus on choosing a color scheme or selecting new, functional appliances, few take the time to consider the finer details that can truly make or break a renovation project.
To help you feel at ease and make the most time- and cost-efficient decisions during your renovation, we’ve prepared a detailed overview of the crucial elements involved in the kitchen renovation. By considering these aspects, you’ll be better equipped to prioritize important aspects of the renovation and navigate the process’s often overwhelming and confusing details.
Quick Summary
This guide to kitchen remodeling emphasizes seven crucial elements needed to enhance your kitchen’s functionality and aesthetics. The layout is foundational, optimizing the essential work triangle of stove, refrigerator, and sink to streamline your workflow. Selecting the right appliances and materials for countertops and flooring is vital for both appearance and durability, matching your style and budget needs.
Innovative storage solutions maximize space efficiency, while professional guidance on electrical setups and ventilation ensures safety and functionality. Finally, choosing the right paint, backsplash, and fixtures adds a personal touch, making the kitchen not only practical but also a reflection of your personal style. Each element is integral, contributing to a successful kitchen remodel that combines practicality with visual appeal.
Optimal Layout: Mastering the Work Triangle
Choosing the proper layout is one of the first steps to a successful kitchen remodel. Understanding what type of kitchen layout you are currently working with can help you understand what remodel project will benefit it most. The kitchen layout usually depends on the way the kitchen is built: U-shape, L-shape, island, galley, etc. According to these, kitchens are generally arranged in order to function best in the space. However, the way your kitchen may be arranged now does not mean it is the only way to make the space work. When going through the remodeling process, it is helpful to evaluate the performance of the space and ensure the renovated kitchen improves in the areas the old one may be lacking.
When planning a kitchen layout, a time-tested rule to consider is the work triangle. This concept emphasizes the importance of optimally spacing out the three main points of the kitchen: the stove, refrigerator, and sink. Ensuring these frequently used areas are within a suitable distance helps create a smooth workflow. However, this doesn’t mean you need to follow exact measurements; instead, it serves as a reminder to thoughtfully design the kitchen layout with both functionality and aesthetics in mind.
Tip: Get a professional remodeling contractor to evaluate your kitchen layout. Someone who can bring a fresh perspective to the space and ensure you don’t just change the look of the kitchen but optimize it to your unique needs.
Choosing the Right Appliances
The main functional components of a kitchen are the appliances that make it serve its purpose. During a remodel, you may choose to renovate around your existing appliances or upgrade to new ones. Regardless of your choice, selecting the right appliances is crucial, as many aspects of the remodel will need to be planned around them—especially if you want a smooth, custom-looking integration.
Some points to consider when choosing appliances:
- Focusing on functionality: Think about where each appliance will be placed for optimal use. For example, you might reserve counter space for a microwave or add an appliance cabinet to store items conveniently within reach.
- Consider upgrades if your budget allows: Helpful upgrades like a wall oven or built-in fridge are a great way to integrate the appliance into the kitchen cabinetry and create a smooth, cohesive look.
- Match your style: Make sure the appliances fit your desired style, or plan to use cabinet panels to seamlessly integrate them into the kitchen.
- Coordinate Colors and Styles: Ensure that the style and color of all appliances complement each other.
Once you have considered all the major appliances, don’t forget to evaluate the space you need for some frequent-use small appliances. Think of the space you will devote to your coffee machine, blender, toaster, etc. Often, these appliances will take up your countertop space since their frequent use demands an easily accessible spot. It is common in kitchen planning to overlook this aspect and end up with these appliances taking up the space on the countertop that was meant to be used as a cooking area.
Material Selection: Flooring and Countertops
Choosing materials for such heavy-use areas as flooring and countertops can be a challenge. The main difficulty is the continuous fight between cost, durability, and aesthetic appeal. The truth is that there is no universal ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ choice for both of these elements of the kitchen; instead, it’s about making a wise consideration of the price, durability, and efficiency of the options available as well as understanding what to expect from different materials. Let’s explore some common choices for countertops and flooring to help you decide which material is best suited for your kitchen.
Kitchen flooring options
- Hardwood floors are the longstanding classic in kitchen design, prized for their beauty, durability, and added resale value. However, wood can suffer from water damage and humidity issues, making it a potentially costly and risky investment that needs careful evaluation of possible benefits and drawbacks.
- Engineered wood flooring provides a similar look and feel to hardwood at a lower cost. It is also more resistant to humidity and water damage, making it a more practical option for kitchens.
- Stone flooring has recently become a popular choice for kitchen remodels. This material is durable, easy to maintain, and works great as a heat conductor, allowing for underfloor heating. However, it can be prone to stains and water damage if not properly sealed, requiring occasional resealing.
- Porcelain and ceramic tile are popular for their waterproof properties and variety of designs. They’re primarily affordable but may be disliked for their hard, cold surface if no underfoot heating is installed.
- Vinyl flooring is the ultimate budget-friendly choice, offering high water resistance and numerous design options. It adds a comfortable, soft feel but is prone to damage, especially if you choose the cheapest option. It is also not environmentally friendly because it cannot be recycled.
- Laminate flooring is another cost-efficient option that provides a great aesthetic look in the kitchen and can suit those who want an affordable wood-like look. It is easy to install and maintain. However, due to its structure, it is not waterproof and can easily be damaged, requiring replacement.
Countertop material options
When choosing countertops, comparing materials based on key features such as scratch and damage resistance, stain resistance, heat resistance, maintenance requirements, aesthetic appeal, and price is important. Common materials on the market include quartz, marble, granite, concrete, natural stone, laminate, wood, and Dekton, each offering distinct characteristics.
Each material brings its charm to the kitchen design. However, no single material is perfect, as some are more susceptible to stains (like concrete and wood), others less resistant to heat (such as laminate, wood, and quartz), and some more prone to scratches (like marble and soapstone). Each requires proper care and maintenance to perform well and last long in a kitchen.
The variety of countertop options can be overwhelming, especially with newer materials emerging on the market. To make the best choice for your budget, style, and needs, consult a trusted contractor who can guide you based on the best option.
Innovative Storage Solutions
One of the most rewarding parts of the kitchen renovation is ensuring the space is organized and functional. Indeed, the kitchen’s main function is to be an efficient space for daily food preparation. Before considering how to make the kitchen space beautiful and welcoming, think through proper kitchen storage solutions.
Kitchen storage revolves around three main areas: cabinet space, island storage (for kitchens with islands), and the pantry. Properly planning these areas is essential for a functional kitchen. Here are some helpful storage ideas, from simple adjustments to custom solutions:
- Opt for drawers instead of lower cabinets. Deep bottom cabinet shelves can be hard to access, while drawers offer better storage and organization.
- Utilize overlooked spaces with custom features like toe-kick drawers or pull-out spice racks.
- Install a hidden appliance cabinet to neatly store frequently used items while keeping them accessible.
- Upgrade to slide-out pantry drawers for easy access to items in the back.
- Add cabinets or open shelves to the island to maximize storage, and consider integrating the sink or appliances if plumbing and electrical allow.
- Evaluate your most used countertop appliances and ensure you plan for appropriate countertop space.
- Address the awkward corner cabinet. Modern options make these spaces more functional, so discuss ideas with your contractor ahead of time.
These are just a few ideas, but the sky is the limit when it comes to storage solutions. The best way to approach this stage of kitchen remodel planning is to evaluate everything you use in the kitchen and ensure that each item has a dedicated space in the new plan.
Electrical Setup: Lighting, Outlets, and Ventilation
Some hidden parts of the kitchen remodel can be overlooked, such as lighting, electrical, and ventilation work. These three are highly important to evaluate as they are harder to fix once the renovation is done and cabinetry is installed. It’s important to have professional advice on the proper adjustments and installation for these areas.
Ventilation in the kitchen is essential to removing cooking odors and protecting surfaces from grease and humidity damage. Invest in a range hood large enough to cover the stove area and positioned at the right height for optimal performance. The most effective kitchen ventilation is an updraft system with an external duct, which efficiently removes fumes.
Electrical work requires planning for sufficient outlets where appliances will be used. Consider adding extra outlets near countertops and even inside cabinets if your kitchen design includes hidden appliance storage.
Lighting is a crucial element that can’t be overstated in terms of importance. In addition to decorative and accent lighting that highlights unique kitchen areas, it’s essential to properly set up ambient and task lighting. Ambient lighting serves as the primary light source and can range from decorative chandeliers to simple, effective LED downlights. Task lighting, often overlooked in older kitchen designs, includes under-cabinet and stovetop lighting to illuminate work areas that need more focus than general overhead lighting can provide.
Adding Glamour: Paint, Backsplash, and Fixtures
After considering all the functional parts of the kitchen remodel, you are met with the pleasant job of making your kitchen a beautiful and welcoming space. Many elements contribute to the aesthetics of your kitchen, including wall color, cabinet style, backsplash details, and fixtures. The best kitchen remodel results come from a thoughtful integration of all of these elements to create a unified look that compliments and accentuates each detail and smoothly integrates with such big elements as flooring and countertops.
The choice of a kitchen theme depends on your preferred design style. For a transitional style, consider a stone backsplash, white or ivory paint, and brass fixtures. If you favor farmhouse style, try antique brushed nickel or copper fixtures with an exposed brick or shiplap backsplash. Contemporary styles may feature a unique soapstone or marble backsplash paired with minimalist black fixtures. There are countless variations to create a beautiful, unique kitchen that complements the rest of your home.
Tip: When selecting paint and a color scheme for the kitchen, choose a design that complements the space without being overwhelming. If you like bright colors, use them in small, easy-to-update areas like wall paint or decor. Since trends change, avoid using bold colors on major features like cabinets or countertops. Incorporating your favorite color as an accent can add personality while keeping the kitchen’s look subtle and timeless.
Seeking Professional Help
Remodeling a kitchen requires significant expertise and skill. In this article, we considered some of the most crucial elements of a kitchen remodel, starting from the layout material and appliance choice to the electric setup and decorative details. While certain tasks like adding decorative touches or organizing storage can be tackled as DIY projects, the majority of renovation work calls for professional assistance to ensure everything comes together seamlessly and is built to last. That’s why Premier Remodeling Services is committed to providing the best quality service in Chicago. We make the entire kitchen renovation process seamless by offering an all-inclusive service (labor, materials, permits) at a reasonable price. We believe a kitchen remodel shouldn’t have to cost a fortune. Contact us today for a free quote and start bringing your dream kitchen to life.
