If you ask people which area of their home they would prioritize for remodeling, the kitchen will almost certainly be among the top three. It’s simply one of the most frequently used spaces in the house. While someone might tolerate sleeping in an unfinished bedroom or using an outdated bathroom, cooking multiple times a day in a dysfunctional, poorly-designed kitchen would drive most people crazy.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of remodeling a kitchen. Some may be obvious, while others may even surprise you. Let’s get to it.
What You Will Learn
- Functionality Enhancements: Discover how to maximize kitchen space, improve layout, and integrate modern features like kitchen islands and open-space designs.
- Boosting Resale Value: Learn about the potential increase in your home’s market value through strategic kitchen updates and what features most appeal to buyers.
- Energy and Water Efficiency: Understand how upgrading appliances and systems can reduce utility bills and promote environmental sustainability.
- Customization Options: Explore ways to tailor your kitchen to fit your personal style and functional needs, from storage solutions to material choices.
- Improving Lifestyle: Find out how a remodeled kitchen can enhance your daily living and provide a more enjoyable and functional space for cooking and gathering.
- Preparation for Remodeling: Get tips on how to prepare for the remodeling process, including setting up a temporary kitchen and managing without your usual cooking space.
Enhancing Kitchen Functionality
The number one purpose of remodeling a kitchen is undoubtedly making it functional. Expanding counter space, reconfiguring storage solutions, and making the best use of the space is vital to creating a kitchen that is easy to use and meets the owner’s needs.
The open-space kitchen is one of the most beloved and continually growing trends in kitchen remodeling. If you doubt whether open-space kitchens will be in trend for longer, put your worries aside. Kitchens that smoothly transition to the dining room or living area are highly loved due to the extra space they add and the accessibility from one location to the other. If you want to chat with friends, observe your kids while cooking, or even peek at the TV in the living room while cleaning up the kitchen, all this becomes possible with the open kitchen plan.
Another helpful addition to an open kitchen is a kitchen island. Modern kitchen islands have become more than extra counter space. They can be used as cleverly designed storage space or extend into a comfortable table-sitting area so that you can have the benefits of both additional hidden cabinets and a dining table if space is limited.
Other helpful upgrades for a functional kitchen include:
- Updated appliances
- Proper lighting throughout the kitchen area
- Ceiling height upper cabinets
- Pull out base cabinets
- High-quality faucets
- Under cabinet lights, etc.
Boosting Your Home’s Resale Value
When considering a kitchen remodel, a big question for many is, “Will it raise the value of my house?” And the question is valid since a mid-range kitchen remodel can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $64,000.
Statistics show that well-made kitchens are highly sought after by potential home buyers. For example, a kitchen with a connected dining area is a must-have for 78% of buyers who the NAHB polled. The same poll showed buyers prefer walk-in pantries with enough storage for bulk purchases. These are just a few features that people prioritize when looking for a home that will fit their needs.
Let’s also consider the common return on investment (ROI) for kitchen remodels. Kitchens often top the lists of the most valuable home improvements. Housing market experts say that people look at kitchens and bathrooms first when they consider buying a house. Overall, well-planned kitchen remodels have an average ROI of 52.5% to 71.2%.
Increasing Energy and Water Efficiency
Let’s be honest, kitchen appliances can really spike utility bills. Whether it’s your daily dishwasher run or an old refrigerator with worn-out parts, kitchens nowadays are filled with appliances that can cause you more expenses than needed.
While undertaking a kitchen remodel, incorporating energy-efficient practices can be highly beneficial in the long run. This can range from replacing old appliances to rethinking the kitchen layout to optimize the proper functioning of all appliances.
Here are some environmentally friendly kitchen renovation ideas:
- Choose energy-efficient appliances by considering energy labels when shopping.
- Place your fridge away from direct heat or sunlight and with enough space on the top and behind it for proper ventilation and compressor functioning.
- Ensure the oven, fridge, and dishwasher are within an appropriate distance of one another.
- Update the ventilation system in the kitchen.
- Opt for an induction stove top over an electric or gas stove.
- Install water-saving faucets.
Customizing to Your Taste and Needs
In old-school kitchen designs, we often see uniformity of layout in the kitchen area, but the reality is that the kitchen needs of each person will vary. One person will need a wide cabinet with multiple shelves, while another will find it hard to use such a storage solution.
That is where the benefit of customization comes in when remodeling a kitchen. You would be surprised to find how many options you have regarding storage and general kitchen layout. It all depends on what you need to use the space for.
Exploring different design styles and materials offers a great opportunity for creativity during a remodel. Modern trends embrace a lot of flexibility in material choices, making it common to mix various types of wood and stone.
Backsplashes are also becoming a focal point, with options ranging from unique stone colors and tile patterns like herringbone to incorporating materials like limestone. This approach allows you to create a striking feature in your kitchen that not only elevates the space but also harmonizes with the rest of your home’s design.
Some other trends you may like include:
- Hidden appliance cabinets
- Fresh produce basket drawers
- Open display shelves or cabinets
- An addition of color to cabinets
- Sink skirts
- A backsplash stone ledge
Creating a More Enjoyable Living Space
The ultimate goal of kitchen remodeling is to create a welcoming space that you look forward to stepping into each day. By bringing a vision of your ideal kitchen to life, you can create a space that offers a restaurant-level experience for date nights with your loved one, a functional space for the busy cooking duties of a mother, or a perfect hangout spot for a company of friends. When you truly enjoy your kitchen, you’ll discover countless ways to use it that fit your unique lifestyle.
Preparing for a Remodel: What to Expect
The kitchen remodel process is not exactly something to enter into unprepared. You will indeed need to go without your cooking space for weeks. The way to ease this process is to think through how you can go without using the kitchen for an extended period and team up with a reliable contractor who will stick to your expected deadlines.
Let’s take a quick look at some tips you can use to prepare:
- Create a temporary dining/kitchen area: Think about creating a temporary kitchen area with appliances such as a microwave or portable electric stove, kettle, toaster, and anything you find helpful to cook meals. For example, a multicooker can come in handy as a one-pot meal solution with multiple cooking settings.
- Pack up your kitchen: Clear the cabinets and countertops and store the belongings until you can use them again. Label the boxes so it is easy to find any item you need in the storage. This is also a good time to declutter unused items or old condiments.
- Utilize the outdoor dining area: If you have a backyard and the kitchen renovation is in a warm season, getting out the grill or other outdoor cooking equipment will ease the lack of a functioning kitchen area. Get some simple outdoor dining furniture and enjoy a daily picnic. This can help families with kids who may not have enough space for a temporary dining area in the house.
- Relocate the fridge: Since kitchen renovations can last weeks to months, depending on the size of the project, relocating the fridge allows you to access it during the renovation.
- Order appliances ahead of time: A good contractor will help you ensure that all items necessary for the refurbishment arrive according to schedule. However, if you are in charge of ordering the appliances, make sure you don’t wait to place an order until they need to be installed. Be proactive since delayed shipments mean a delayed renovation schedule.
Conclusion
We hope this article provided you with valuable insights and a clear understanding of the benefits of kitchen renovation and what to expect from the process. While there’s much more to say about the intricacies of renovation and design ideas for your kitchen, the goal is always to create a functional space that fits your family’s needs.
24/7 Premier Remodeling is Chicago’s trusted renovation contractor. We work hand in hand with our clients to transform their houses into the dream homes they’ve always envisioned. Our renovation team is skilled and prepared to undertake any kitchen project you have in mind. Contact us today and get a free quote. Let’s transform your living space together.
