Kitchen remodeling can be minor or major, depending on the work required to transform the space. Kitchen Remodeling Tacoma WA involves more than just replacing appliances and painting the walls; it is also a chance to revamp the floor plan, add or remove walls, reconfigure plumbing, and change the room’s overall style. A kitchen remodel is a large project that can be expensive and add significant value to a home.

A kitchen extension is one of the most popular projects for period and country properties, with the kitchen becoming the hub for modern family life in many homes. Adding a new kitchen to the rear of the property can help open up the entire house and create an area for cooking, dining, entertaining, working, and relaxing.

Kitchen remodeling is a big job. It can cost six figures or more. Before you hire a general contractor to knock down walls and expand your kitchen’s footprint, carefully research how much similar homes in your area sell for.

The average return on a kitchen remodel varies by region and level of renovation, according to Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value Report 2018. A minor refresh is more likely to pay off than a major upscale renovation.

The kitchen is a cherished space in many homes where delicious meals are prepared and enjoyed, entertaining is hosted, and families gather. However, the kitchen can begin to feel tired and outdated after years of dutiful service, leading homeowners to consider remodeling it.

If a new kitchen extension isn’t feasible, try to maximise the space you have by streamlining storage solutions and utilising hidden areas. For example, if you have an unused alcove or box room downstairs, turning it into a purpose-built pantry or larder cupboard is a great way to free up cupboard space in the main kitchen while keeping essentials close at hand.

Adding mirrors, glass and light colors to a small kitchen can help it feel larger. Light colors reflect more natural light, and a reflective backsplash helps to brighten the room. Light colors also work well with wood and stone finishes to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

The best way to start any remodel is with a plan of action. A good kitchen designer can help you develop a schematic design to keep your costs down and prevent costly reworks down the line. They can suggest materials and finishes that will maximize style, function, and budget while staying within the existing footprint of the room. They will also be able to identify any structural changes that may be needed and provide cost estimates before moving forward with the final kitchen design.

Design

As the name suggests, a remodel is any work that changes the overall structure and layout of the kitchen. That could mean tearing down walls and completely gutting the room, or it could be as simple as adding an island or changing out cabinets to make them bigger. The average major kitchen remodel costs about $60,000, making it a substantial project.

While it is possible to revamp a kitchen using only new cabinets and countertops, it’s usually necessary to rethink the entire layout in order to improve functionality and create a more attractive space. The first step in any kitchen remodeling project is evaluating the homeowner’s wants and needs and finding solutions that will work within the available budget.

In terms of layout, a kitchen is generally arranged so that the primary functions of storage, food preparation and cooking are located close together. The arrangement is often referred to as the “kitchen work triangle” and was originally outlined in Catharine Beecher’s 1843 treatise on domestic economy (republished with her sister Harriet Beecher Stowe as The American Woman’s Home in 1869). Since then, many variations of kitchen design have been developed, but most follow some form of this classic workflow model.

When considering a kitchen remodel, it is important to remember that the resale value of the property will likely be an important consideration. Unless there is significant room to expand the current kitchen, it’s generally best to keep the design as simple and functional as possible in order to maximize resale value.

Depending on the scope of the work, it may be necessary to hire a general contractor or kitchen design expert to help with planning and design. If the project is major, this will involve hiring and managing subcontractors and will be a time-consuming process. Alternatively, a homeowner can save money by serving as their own contractor and using design software or physical kitchen-design kits that contain cardboard punch-outs representing cabinets and appliances to plan the layout and visualize how the space will look once it is remodeled.

A kitchen should be functional and comfortable, and it’s important to consider the needs of future homeowners when determining how to renovate. Over-customizing a kitchen can limit its appeal to a limited audience and may result in an inefficient layout that will be costly to operate.

Appliances

Appliances typically account for up to 20 percent of total kitchen renovation costs, so it’s important to set aside a budget for this portion of the project. Whether you’re ready to splurge or planning to remodel on a tight budget, new appliances can add style and functionality to any kitchen.

Some designers are incorporating custom-built accessories in kitchen cabinets such as drawer or shelf dividers that make it easy to organize everything from spices to paper towels and a mixer riser that makes it easier to take out heavy stand mixers, according to Alma Homes. Affordable custom options like these can help personalize a kitchen without breaking the bank.

Be careful not to over-customize a kitchen. Unique features can limit future home-buyers and may not appeal to a wide range of tastes. For example, a walk-in wine cellar might work for some homeowners but may not be desirable for others.

Lighting

Lighting is one of the most crucial elements to consider in kitchen remodeling, as it is able to set the mood for the room. It is also a way to increase the functionality of the kitchen. There are many different types of light fixtures that can be installed in a home. Some of these include recessed, surface-mount, and pendant lights. These can serve multiple functions such as ambient, task, and accent lighting.

When choosing a light fixture, it is important to consider the amount of light needed for each type of function. For example, if you use your kitchen as a gathering place, it is important to have enough light for family and friends to talk and move around. Similarly, if you have children that do homework in the kitchen, it is important to have enough light for them to see their work. These needs will determine the type of light fixture you need in your kitchen.

The most common type of light in a kitchen is the ambient light. These are the large overhead lights that help to illuminate the entire space. These are usually recessed into the ceiling and can be improved by simply adding another fixture or raising the height of the current ones. Ambient lighting can be enhanced by adding a decorative fixture over the island, such as an arched light or an open grate.

Task lighting is a great addition to any kitchen as it helps to brighten workspaces. This can be done by installing a light under the cabinets to help with food prep or by adding lights above the stove to focus on cooking tasks. Task lighting is also a great option for hallways in an open floor plan, as it can help to guide people to the bathroom or dining room without them running into furniture.

Accent lighting can be added to any kitchen to highlight a specific area or create a focal point in the room. This can be done by using a combination of adjustable track lighting and recessed lighting. It is a great way to add dimension and showcase unique features of the room, such as an architectural oven hood or art pieces or even a pottery collection.