Does Your House Need a Kitchen Remodel?

Is it time to upgrade your house with a kitchen remodel?  While professionals all agree that remodeling your kitchen can dramatically increase the sales value of your house, there are other considerations to ponder. 
     
First you should consider the overall condition of your house, and that of your kitchen.  Is your house a showplace, with beautiful rooms, except for the kitchen?  If all the rooms of your house are freshly painted and beautifully decorated, but you've been holding out on remodeling the kitchen for reasons of budget or time, you might want to think again.  The two rooms of the house which offer the most immediate rewards in terms of increased house value are the bathroom and the kitchen.  Most estimates put the value of a kitchen remodel at 80 to 90 percent.  That's a lot of potential value for your house, so it makes sense to remodel as soon as possible.  

     
Even if you aren't planning to move anytime soon, a kitchen remodel is a huge boon to your house for quality of living considerations alone.  Most families and couples spend an enormous amount of time in their kitchen.  Over and over again the kitchen is referred to as the heart of the house, because so many activities take place there-cooking, eating, homework, entertaining, to name only a few.  Why not make this high-traffic room the most inviting of the house?
     
If your appliances are out of date or prone to constant break-downs, it is a sign you might want to consider a kitchen remodel.  There are so many new energy-efficient models on the market, it makes good sense for your house budget to invest in these appliances.

Considering Very Nice New Kitchen Cabinets

The style you select for your new kitchen cabinets depends totally on you.  What feel do you want to create?  What look are you going for?  What flows and goes with the style design in the rest of your home? Antique, bone and linen white or off white cabinets can create everything from contemporary, traditional to modern. Basically, just matching the decor of the rest of your house should be your main concern.  This makes things easier when you select the complimentary finish, stain, door style and cabinet hardware for your kitchen cabinets.

Kitchen cabinet styles are normally just a matter of taste.  Please note that the kitchen cabinet door design does not necessarily have to dictate the overall theme for your kitchen cabinets.  The theme is normally decided by the wallpaper, paint color, accessories or decoration, pictures, etc..  For long lasting appreciation of your new kitchen let your taste decide for you unless you are imitating or copying a specific cabinet style or theme of a favorite decorator. Try to focus on the quality of the construction of the cabinets you intend to use.  One of the following cabinet styles can be used basically in any kitchen theme.  Ones' home should be their get away, our sanctuary so to speak, from the busy, hectic outside world.  Listed below are five design trends that you may identify with.  This will help you to identify and choose cabinetry styles, finishes and personalization to create a home just for you.

Ceramic Tile Kitchen Countertops

Ceramic tiles for kitchen countertops have  become a must have in home buyers' kitchens.
Whether you prefer glazed, porcelain, quarry or mosaic, these tiles are versatile and come in an array of designs, colors and shapes.  A design savvy look, country flair, artistic interest or upscale appearance can enhance your kitchen countertops surface that's low maintenance but high in style.  Tile countertops are also a great idea for completing your kitchen renovation since tiles are not only durable but are heat resistance.

Be creative and always design your kitchen tile layout the way you like it.  One interesting way to do it is to tile your backslpash.  Be sure to put colorful, unique and single designs tiles in between plain fields tiles.  You can do multiples of the same design tiles or each can have a different design or color.  To make your kitchen come alive, use beautiful kitchen tile with attractive colors or designs.  Your kitchen tile can standout or contrast, but you always want them to blend in with what you've got going on the cabinets and the floor. You do not want to get dizzy walking into your kitchen from all the "busyness."
Murals also are a nice addition for your backsplash or you can add picture, marbles or things you collect for added interest. You do not want to get dizzy walking into your kitchen from all the "busyness."

Buying What You Need to Remodel Your Kitchen

Have you recently decided to remodel your kitchen?  If so, have you decide what you would like to get done?  Whether you are only interested in changing your kitchen cabinets or if you want to remodel every inch of your kitchen, you will need supplies. The supplies that you need will all depend on the type of remodeling that you plan on doing. Despite the fact that your kitchen remodeling supplies will vary, you can commonly purchase them all from the same place.

As previously mentioned, the type of kitchen remodeling you plan on doing will have an impact on which supplies you will need. For example, if you are planning on replacing your kitchen cabinets, you will need to find new cabinets to install. The same can be said for kitchen flooring, lighting, and countertops.  If you need to purchase a fairly large number of kitchen remodeling supplies, say if you are planning on remodeling all or the majority of your kitchen, you may want to shop at one of your local home improvement stores.  Most home improvement stores have a fairly large selection of home remodeling supplies and materials, including laminate countertops, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, light fixtures, and cabinets.  Purchasing all of your remodeling supplies at once will help to save you time.

Being Comfortable With Your Kitchen Renovation

Being realistic with your budget is the first rule of renovation. In renovation, budget is key. It will hopefully keep you from making lots of wrong decision and choices before you are well into your renovation.  Do research before setting  a budget so you will have an idea what contractors, appliances and materials you will need for your kitchen renovation. Once you have all your information for every aspect of the design, then you will be able to work out a workable budget.  It is wise too to have a little bit of a cushion for the unexpected. Even the best-planned budgets can get thrown off track if something unexpected pops in during the installation or final renovation stages of your kitchen. It is always good to source at least three quotes from contractors to make sure you're not paying too much.  Never automatically go for the lowest bid because it certainly worth your money to spend a little extra to get quality work.

In reference to your appliances for your kitchen,  it's best to shop around and not buy the first thing you see. Price ranges vary from store to store so take your time.  It is definitely worth the time to wait on a sale. Also you can use as a bargaining tool too by buying all the kitchen appliances from one store.  Anyway  you can safe money is the name of the game in kitchen renovations. Keeping your kitchen renovation on a budget is to be disciplined.  When the urge comes "I just have to have that" syndrome, you will have to exercise discipline.  Buying things that you had not planned on will send your budget through the roof.

When it comes to kitchen remodeling, there are several things you need to think about even before acquiring the services of a professional contractor, or making appliance selections. More than any other room of the house, the kitchen is the most versatile. It is used to prepare meals, feed the family, store foods, and clean and store service ware and other household items.

Basic Easy Kitchen Plans

The efficient u-shape plan is versatile and usually puts one's workstation on each of three walls.  The pros of this are great storage and counter space on three sides that maximize efficiency but this is not the best plans for entertaining or for accommodating multiple cooks.  Major traffic jams in the kitchen!  Another thing to consider is you have to have the basic 8x8 foot space and anything less won't provide the minimum 4 feet work space that is recommended  for the center of the room.  In a large kitchen for maximum efficiency, locate one workstation in a freestanding island.

The L-shape plan allows two workstations on one wall and the third on an adjacent wall. This layout is much more efficient concerning space than the U-shape plan especially if the main workstations are located close to the bend of the L. The L-shaped plan is not well suited for small kitchen spaces and you need to allow enough open counter space between the two workstations that share the same wall.  This is at least four feet.  Other things to consider is the arrangement of the workstations which are critical.  The work needs to flow from the refrigerator to the sink and then to the stove cooktop and serving area.  An ideal eating nook is the area opposite the bend of the L.

The island plan is a popular design because it features a freestanding workstation usually including the sink or stovetop.  This is a wonderful plan for large kitchens where the work triangle exceeds the twenty-six foot rule that dictates that for maximum efficiency.  Island plans are not well suited  in kitchens where two work stations must be on opposite walls.  

All About Kitchen Remodeling

Is the flooring in your kitchen stained and cracked?  Are the countertops marred with burns and nicks?  Is the floor plan of your kitchen awkward and ill-designed?  If so, it is time to consider kitchen remodeling.  Updating your kitchen can enhance the value of your entire house, and kitchen remodeling can be an exciting process that calls upon your creativity.  You may need a little bit of patience as you live through the kitchen remodeling process, but the end result will be a kitchen you love and are proud to share with family and friends.
   
Kitchen remodeling runs the gamut from small upgrades, to a full-scale luxury remodeling venture.  Small upgrades could include changing the hardware on your cabinets, refacing the cabinets, or replacing them.  Or perhaps you might want to replace that scuffed floor, or resurface your countertops.  Such simple changes can make an enormous difference in your space. However, a full-scale kitchen remodel is going to result in the most satisfying changes for your home.
   
Start your kitchen remodeling by making extensive notes about what you want.  Think about what works and doesn't work in your current kitchen.  Look through magazines or scan the internet for kitchen remodeling ideas.  You might want to make a file of designs and products you like.  Don't hold back at this point-make a note of everything you might want to include in your kitchen remodeling. Next, draw up a budget.  This is when you match your beautiful ideas to what you can afford.  You might be surprised how much you can get for your money, or the compromises you can make that will still afford you an elegant, functional design.  At this point, you may also want to contract the services of a designer or space planner.  They can be enormously helpful with your kitchen remodel, and point out products and design ideas that might not have occurred to you.