PLENTY OF OPTIONS FOR KITCHEN DESIGNS
Your kitchen is the heart of your home. So when it comes to showing it some love, you have a few options.
You can keep it simple and just give it a facelift.
By that I mean updating the finishes, so new appliances and new cabinetry will sparkle.
Adding glass doors in certain areas, installing a backsplash, changing the countertop, adding some crown-moulding, a fresh coat of paint and maybe a few new light fixtures can all help.
Updating the finishes alone can help increase the resale value, but you want make sure you’ve got your bases covered first by taking a look at your building envelope — that’s everything that separates the inside of your home from the outside. That includes your roof, attic, foundation, windows and exterior siding. Make sure everything is sound and in top shape.
There’s no point in working on the inside of your home if the outside has been compromised, because those problems will make their way inside. And when they do, all that money and work you put into the new kitchen will have to be ripped out to fix the problem. Do it right the first time.
Let’s say you are just updating the finishes. That means you wouldn’t be doing anything major — such as taking down a wall, changing the layout, updating the plumbing or running new gas and/or plumbing lines. But even if that’s case I would still recommend bringing in a licensed electrical contractor to take a look.
Now let’s say you’re updating the cabinetry and you want to add some new LED under-cabinet lighting, replacing old appliances and adding new ones. It’s always good protocol to bring in a licensed professional to take a look and make sure that your electrical system can handle the new electrical load, as well as replace any old or worn out parts.
If you’re installing a new hood fan and it’s hardwired instead of a plug-in, you will need an electrical professional to make sure it is properly installed (and to code). If your home’s electrical system hasn’t been looked at in more than five years, it’s time for a checkup.
When planning your kitchen, you can talk to a contractor, but if all you’re doing is updating the finishes, a custom kitchen designer/ manufacturer can help. They have all the bells and whistles when it comes to cabinetry, such as spice racks and towel holders that can be pulled out like drawers. They’ll come in and measure your walls to create custom cabinetry that works for you and your lifestyle, while maximizing space.
If you want to redesign your kitchen, think of functionality. I like using the “work triangle,” which basically means creating a triangle between the sink, fridge and stove for better traffic flow.
Everyone wants an island, but you need to work with the space you have. You might have to settle for a peninsula instead, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
You’ll also want to know what appliances you’ll be adding, what kind of sinks and faucets are going in, as well as any updates to countertops.
Talk to your kitchen design pro about what kind of sinks you want, and then goto the counterwith the appropriate measurements and dimensions. (Most granite and quartz countertops are installed with under-mount sinks.)
Nowadays there are plenty of choices in countertops — marble, granite, quartz or Caesarstone, recycled glass, etc.
Recycled glass is green-friendly, and it comes in different colours, but most new kitchens have granite or Caesarstone countertops, which can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000.
It all depends on the style and profile.
For example, will there be a seam or no seam?
If you want one solid piece of granite or quartz, it tends to be more expensive than if you were to get two slabs. Also, how thick the countertop will also affect price, not to mention its profile or edge.
When it comes to renovating a kitchen, the sky’s the limit. That’s why it’s important to make smart decisions that make sense for your budget, your lifestyle and your goals. This is where the advice of the right pro will go a long way — whether it’s a qualified home inspector, contractor or kitchen designer. Invest in renos and updates that will love you back for years to come — in durability, functionality, design and energy savings. That’s what making it right is all about.