Kitchen Remodeling Tips

Today's kitchens are the hearth of our homes and the most popular of rooms when it comes to remodeling. Kitchens are also among the most complicated to renovate, as well as potentially the most costly. Return on investment is very high, as is the enjoyment derived from its use throughout each and every day. It's the single most utilized room in the house and arguably the most important.

Many of us have visions of a dream kitchen dancing in our heads but are held back from realizing these dreams when we think of the potential stumbling blocks ahead: time, money, aggravation, family disruption, family disagreements, the lack of design knowledge and the lack of resources for finding the answers to all our questions.

To aid you in getting started, I've created a Kitchen Remodeling Checklist that you can adapt to your specific needs, as well as references to some of your options if you are seeking help - from kitchen remodeling outfits to custom designers and fabricators. As with any remodeling project, my mantra remains the same: plan, plan, plan. This will protect you from many of the stumbling blocks listed above. Disregard this warning at your own peril.

Let's start with the basics

Layout
Assess the space you have in which to put a new kitchen.

Will you be using the existing room, or do you want to push out exterior walls, remove or move some of the interior walls?

How will these changes effect the adjoining rooms and the flow of the house?

Map out how you want to move around the room.

Do you want to change the existing set-up? The work-triangle?

How will this affect the electrical and plumbing lines?

Count your existing cabinets.

Then make a list of everything in each of the drawers, cabinets, shelves and hooks.

Then list the things you currently have no room for and need to include in the new layout.

Make a list of the items in your dream kitchen:

• Number of cabinets (see the cabinets list above)
• Dream list of appliances (may need to be pared down later on)
• List your countertop preferences - granite, solid surface, marble, concrete, tile, etc.
• List any sink options you want - double, bar, etc.
• Envision a color palette if possible:
• Wood preferences - if any - for cabinets, floors, countertops
• Floor preferences - tile, wood, stone, vinyl, linoleum, etc.
• Backsplash ideas - tiles, glass, wallboard…
• Walls - painted, wall papered

Style
Choose the décor style of your dreams such as French Country, Shaker, Tuscan, Contemporary, English Countryside, or some of the newer approaches which combine several styles such as Contemporary Country or European Modern.

These choices may effect your selection of appliances and cabinetry, as well as overall design scheme.

Budget
Decide on a comfortable budget that is in line with the value of the house. There is little sense in making a chef's kitchen in an aging ranch for instance, unless you are planning to upgrade the entire structure - though there are no rules against it. Practical concerns such as resale might play a role in your decision since you don't want to create a white elephant that no one else will either want or enjoy.

The choice of appliances and their respective budget should come first: they will take about 25% of the budget.

The cabinetry will be approximately twice the appliance budget at 50% of the budget.

The counter tops and floors will be another 10%.

The labor for everything will comprise the final 15%.

So if you choose your appliances first, you'll be able to calculate what the rest of the project will likely cost and you can make your alterations at this point.

There are many options for all of the items listed above in a broad range of prices. Your proposed budget will indicate what type of assistance you will be able to afford and how much input you will require.

Armed with the answers to the these questions, you will be able to visit kitchen showrooms, from big box stores, to local dealers and cabinetmakers with the majority of your planning underway. If you can sketch out the existing kitchen on a piece of graph paper and include dimensions, you'll be even further ahead.

Big Box and Kitchen Showrooms
Your first stop is either one of the big box stores like Best Buy, or Home Depot to take a look at the variety of appliances. Or you can go to a local appliance dealer who will have a number of different lines. You want to view the full extent of what's available so you can hone in on the features you like, the lines that are right for your budget and other considerations such as finishes, like stainless steel or wood panels, size and capacity, and energy ratings. Energy Star is a rating system that lets you know how energy efficient each appliance is, and in these energy conscious times, it pays to look at this feature.

The big box dealers won't be able to provide much more than that, big boxes, and they often have a limited selection of options. But from a cost point of view, they can be your best deal. Some like Home Depot and Lowe's have cabinetry options as well, so one stop may accomplish most of your tasks.

Kitchen dealers are better trained in understanding the distinctive qualities of each appliance. They may have consumer-rating information, which can indicate repair records, and warranty satisfaction. They may carry cabinetry, but most likely you'll need to go to a cabinetry showroom for these; however they may be able to refer you to reputable vendors in your area.

Cabinetry
Local dealers with showrooms usually carry a number of different lines ranging in cost from the lower to the upper ends. The lower ends feature a selection of boxes, usually constructed of some form of fiberboard, with wood or wood veneered doors and drawer fronts. You can mix and match to create your desired layout, but loose ends and extra inches on the ends or next to walls are often capped off with filler pieces. Some customization is possible but varies from line to line.

The middle to upper ranges offer more flexibility with layout, design, and customization, solid woods and trims. They can alter their box sizes, for instance, so you don't end up with filler caps and awkward blank spaces, and can provide sample color panels so you can check the finish against other features in the room.

From the lower to the higher end, these cabinet showrooms normally offer design services in addition to the cabinetry. The services are often free, but they won't release the drawings to you unless you pay for them, or order the cabinetry from them. This is certainly a good choice for many homeowners who are less than artistic, as you will be guided through each decision, and offered suggestions at every turn.

Custom Cabinetry
Custom construction has been around at the high-end market of kitchen remodeling for decades but has recently seen an upsurge in interest from all levels of clientele. It's still the priciest option, but offers the greatest amount of flexibility in design, finish and layout.

You'll need to work either directly with the cabinetmaker or a designer who can put you in touch with workshops they know. The sky is the limit here, allowing you to choose from domestic or exotic woods, from classic styles to very contemporary ones, from cabinets of every dimension. You decide how large each piece should be and the kitchen is made specifically for you to these specifications.

In addition to being the most costly, custom cabinets, since they are hand made, require the longest period for construction - allow four to eight months depending on the cabinetmaker's schedule.

Countertops
My research shows that granite is the best option due to its durability and range of colors and patterns.

Formica is still the least expensive but is vulnerable to heat, scratching, chipping and coming unglued.

Solid surfaces with brands names such as Silestone, Quartzite and Corian are good alternatives - durable and heat resistant, but can be more expensive than natural materials such as granite and marble.

Marble and limestone are only recommended to those homeowners who are willing to maintain the stones with sealing treatments every three to four months. These porous surfaces are known to stain, but many like this natural ageing patina process.

Soapstone has gained in popularity in the past five years, but again is a porous stone that requires some maintenance with sealers. It too will show its age with an evolving patina. For many farm-style kitchens this surface provides the most authentic look.

Concrete is also gaining in popularity and versatility, but again is a delicate finish that may stain or chip. Design options however are unlimited - if it can be formed, it can be made of concrete. New color additives have expanded the choices for this material as well, and sealers have improved dramatically in the past two years.

These are just the basic concerns. How you put all these elements together is what makes a truly exceptional space. If you need encouragement, start looking at design magazines and cut out the pages you like to bring with you to the showrooms and designers when you meet. Don't forget those important lists of appliances, cabinet styles and countertop preferences. Soon you'll be on your way to some version of your dream kitchen that will become the center of your home.