How to Plan a Residential Kitchen Renovation
Renovating a residential kitchen requires an understanding of your goals. Whether you’re interested in optimizing workflow or creating a multifunctional space that adapts to your lifestyle, your vision serves as the guiding compass throughout the design process.
Scope—whether you’re refreshing fixtures or doing a full gut—will also influence costs, as will whether you need to move plumbing or knock down walls. (Some buildings have “wet over dry” rules that limit these projects.
Layout and Design
A great kitchen starts with a well-planned layout that optimizes the space for cooking and entertaining. If your space is an older home, this may be more challenging due to existing constraints.
When planning a kitchen remodel, it’s important to prioritize safety. That means making sure that the fire extinguisher is visible and easily accessible, not placing a stove over a window or a staircase, and using clipped or rounded corners for countertops to prevent cuts.
If your kitchen renovation is a full-on gut remodel, the first step will be demolition, which typically includes removing doors, windows and trim, and drywall. Next, your GC will frame in the new walls and install door and window casings.
Appliances
The appliances in a kitchen can be a style-defining feature. Slide-in ranges are a popular upgrade, for example, and Graff says wine refrigerators are “a good add-on even for those who don’t drink.” Pendant lighting can be stylish and functional—and “help people navigate around counters,” as Baverman points out.
Other amenities that make a kitchen comfortable and convenient to use include a second sink for prepping vegetables or iceing drinks and a bar sink in a pantry area for a quick water-fill. Also consider removing upper cabinets and adding windows to maximize natural light. This can also open up a view to the rest of the house and boost home value.
Countertops
Countertops have a huge impact on kitchen design, so it’s important to choose a material that suits both practical needs and aesthetic preferences.
Granite countertops are a timeless choice that offer heat, scratch, and stain resistance. They can add a touch of elegance to any kitchen and are available in a variety of colors and patterns.
Other popular options include quartz and recycled glass. The latter can be shaped to fit any style and is hygienic, hardwearing, and environmentally friendly.
One-piece backsplashes are also growing in popularity. They’re easy to clean and can match or complement your cabinets.
Cabinetry
Cabinets may seem simple, but there are many options and features to consider. For example, you could choose to install drawers instead of basic shelves, which are more functional for storing dinnerware and cooking utensils.
The first step in any kitchen renovation is what’s called the “scope” or “extent.” This can range from a cosmetic refresh to a full-on gut remodel that involves tearing down walls and reconfiguring the space.
Whether you’re hiring a residential kitchen renovation general contractor or doing the work yourself, prepare by creating a temporary kitchen. This will help you save money on dining out during the renovation and keep your food fresh until your new kitchen is complete.
Flooring
Flooring is any material that covers and protects the subfloor of a room. This includes carpeting, vinyl flooring (including luxury vinyl tile and planks) and any type of tile including stone, saltillo or commercial “fake” tiles.
Kitchen floors need to be durable and easy to clean. They should also be practical, especially in the case of families with pets and children.
Hardwood flooring, for example, can swell from water exposure and may require special moisture-proofing. hotel remodeling companies Concrete, on the other hand, can be stained to look like wood, stone or tile and is very durable—though mats are recommended near areas of excessive moisture.
Lighting
With a variety of options and designs, lighting can help elevate the kitchen. It’s important to remember that a lighting plan should be comprised of three different types of fixtures: ambient, task and accent.
A popular choice for a modern kitchen is recessed, LED downlights (also known as can lights). These fixtures blend seamlessly into the ceiling and provide ambient light.
As kitchens become more of a gathering/living space, homeowners are adding canvases, framed artwork and more to their walls. Shed light on this art with recessed, adjustable fixtures that are designed to highlight wall décor.
Plumbing
If your kitchen is a major renovation, it is likely to involve some rerouting of plumbing pipes. This could be as simple as replacing old S traps with modern P ones, or as complex as relocating a sink to an island location. This is also the time to replace any existing galvanized water supply lines with PEX piping.
If the project requires drywall, it is best to have that completed before installing cabinets and countertops. If the remodel includes a new HVAC system, the sheet metal ductwork is installed at this time as well. Permits must be finalized at this point as well if they were required.
Electrical
The direction your kitchen remodel takes will depend on your goals. Do you want a full renovation, or are you focusing on upgrades that will improve your kitchen’s functionality and enhance your home’s value?
Unless you’re a skilled DIYer, it’s usually best to leave electrical and plumbing to professionals. These are complex tasks where one mistake can lead to costly and dangerous consequences.
This phase includes relocating plumbing pipes and running new electrical wiring. It may also involve installing sheet metal ductwork to maintain efficient ventilation, which is important for clearing smoke, steam and odors from the cooking area.
Backsplash
Backsplashes are not only a decorative element, but they also protect walls from water, grease and heat. They can be made from a variety of materials, but ceramic tile is a popular choice that offers endless options for color and pattern combinations.
Backsplash tiles can be textured to add visual interest or to reduce the appearance of seams between rows of tile. Using a high-gloss glaze on backsplash tile can make kitchens look brighter and reflect more light.
Alternatives to traditional backsplashes include wood-paneled walls and even shiplap. Brick is another timeless option that evokes a cozy, lived-in feel in kitchens.