7 Smart Strategies for Kitchen Remodeling
By: John Riha Published: May 30, 2013 Article From HouseLogic.comFollow these seven strategies to get the most financial gain on your kitchen remodel.
Homeowners spend more money on kitchen remodeling than on any other home improvement project. And with good reason: Kitchens are the hub of home life and a source of pride. A significant portion of kitchen remodeling costs may be recovered by the value the project brings to your home. Kitchen remodels in the $50,000 to $60,000 range recoup about 74% of the initial project cost at the home's resale, according to recent data from Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report (http://www.costvsvalue.com). A minor kitchen remodel of about $19,000 does even better, returning more than 82% of your investment. To maximize your return on investment, follow these seven strategies to keep you on budget and help you make smart choices. 1. Plan, Plan, Plan Planning your kitchen remodel should take more time than the actual construction. If you plan well, the amount of time you're inconvenienced by construction mayhem will be minimized. Plus, you're more likely to stay on budget. How much time should you spend planning? The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends at least six months. That way, you won't be tempted to change your mind during construction and create change orders, which will inflate construction costs and hurt your return on investment. Some tips on planning: Study your existing kitchen: How wide is the doorway into your kitchen? It's a common mistake many homeowners make: Buying the extra-large fridge only to find they can't get it in the doorway. To avoid mistakes like this, create a drawing of your kitchen with measurements for doorways, walkways, counters, etc. And don't forget height, too. Think about traffic patterns: Work aisles should be a minimum of 42 inches wide and at least 48 inches wide for households with multiple cooks. Design with ergonomics in mind: Drawers or pull-out shelves in base cabinets; counter heights that can adjust up or down; a wall oven instead of a range: These are all features that make a kitchen accessible to everyone - and a pleasure to work in. Kitchen Trends
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Create a traditional kitchen full of personality and style
(BPT) - The kitchen is the heart of the home ... the place where memories are made while cooking, eating and sharing stories around the table. Since so much time is spent in this room, it's important to have a kitchen that fits your personality. There are many styles to choose; but traditional remains one of the most popular because of its timeless, classic look. If you're updating your kitchen, here are some tips to create a space that reflects your personal style.
Color matters. The right paint colors are integral to achieving the traditional look. Select paint colors that are warm and inviting like cream, taupe and gold. Light colors are popular in the kitchen because they provide a feeling of cleanliness and make the space feel larger. Infuse your room with a few stylish touches by incorporating accents in darker or richer shades, especially in the furniture, wood trim or flooring. ---
Quality fixtures. When designing your new kitchen,
don't overlook the faucets. They get used many times
during the day - needing to withstand heavy usage and
tie into the overall design of the kitchen. Growing in
popularity are motion-activated faucets, like Moen's
easy-to-use MotionSense technology. The Brantford
pulldown faucet adds timeless appeal as the spout
enhances the curvature of the faucet body and handle
giving any kitchen a beautiful look with the ultimate
convenience of hands-free technology.
For an even more elaborate style, the new Weymouth
collection offers an enduring, Victorian design with
functional details, such as its high-arc spout. Signature
styling elements include a decorative top finial and a
refined shepherd's spout. The detailed design of both faucets will provide extra luxury and serve as the perfect focal point at the sink.
Storage with flair. Replacing cabinets is usually the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel, so take your time and choose carefully. First, think about the color and the type of wood. White painted cabinets with intricate details and raised-panel doors are a popular choice for traditionally styled kitchens. Adding eye-catching details also goes a long way. Be sure to finish the top of the cabinets with decorative molding or swap wood-fronts with glass panels. And, since it's all about the details, choose decorative knobs and pulls, as well as a towel bar or towel ring that match both the style and finish of your faucet to add fashion and function.
Luxury countertops. Granite and butcher block are great choices for countertops. According to the National Association of Home Builders, granite is the most desirable, must-have kitchen feature. This is likely because it's scratch- and chip-resistant, not to mention this material is a classic design choice that withstands the test of time.
Butcher block not only adds a warm look to your kitchen, it's also functional as it provides an ideal area for chopping food. Plus, these countertops are easy to clean - just use soap and water. For added appeal, use two types of materials, one on the main countertop area and another on the kitchen island.
Decorative lighting. Since the kitchen is the place you chop and dice, not to mention socialize with loved ones, you need both ambient and task lighting. For ambient lighting, consider a chandelier. Hang it over the kitchen island or the dining space to add a sophisticated touch. Task lighting should be brighter: use pendants and recessed lights over workplaces like countertops, the sink and stove.
With these few key tips, you'll soon have the elegant, traditional kitchen you've always desired. For more information about Moen products, visit moen.com or call 800-BUY-MOEN (800-289-6636).
Want to reface your kitchen cabinets? Smart decision. It's more cost-effective and takes less time than a full remodel. Here are options and costs.
Refacing your kitchen cabinets includes covering the exposed frames with a thin veneer of real wood or plastic laminate. Doors and drawer fronts are replaced to match or complement the new veneer. New hinges, knobs, pulls, and molding complete the transformation. What are the pros and cons? Kitchen cabinet refacing pros: •Costs about half as much as replacing cabinets. •Takes less time (a week or less!) and money. •It's less hassle than tearing out cabinets. •You can still use your kitchen while refacing. •It's a green kitchen remodeling (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/green-remodeling/green-kitchen-remodeling/) solution because you're not adding to the landfill. Kitchen cabinet refacing cons (there aren't many): •Refacing won't fix a bad kitchen design. •You might be tempted to spend more on exotic veneer and hardware (saving you less). What are your refacing options? Your choices for the finished look of your cabinets is virtually limitless. Veneers are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, textures, grains, and more, which you can mix or match to get a relatively low-cost kitchen facelift (http://www.houselogic.com/photos/kitchens/10-tips-give-your-kitchen-low-cost-facelift/). •Rigid thermofoil (RTF) doors, which feature a durable plastic coating over fiberboard, are an affordable alternative to wood or laminate doors. •Plastic laminates come in hundreds of colors and patterns, are durable and moisture-resistant, and are reasonably priced. You can pick matching or contrasting laminates for your doors and drawer fronts. •Real wood veneers include many standard species, such as oak, cherry, and maple, and you also can choose from an array of stain colors. Wood veneers are the most expensive option. Wood must be carefully sealed to protect against moisture. Further customize and update the look of your cabinets with new kitchen cabinet hardware. What does refacing cost? A professional cabinet refacing for a typical 10-by-12-foot kitchen starts at around $1,000 to $3,000 for laminate. Expect to pay $2,500 to $6,000 for real wood veneer. Costs can rise to $7,000 to $9,000 or more for a large project with high-quality wood veneer. Finishing the project with new hardware (pulls, knobs, hinges) runs $2 to $4 per piece, up to $20 to $50 each for high-end hardware. In comparison, completely replacing old kitchen cabinets with new cabinets starts at $4,000 to $5,000 and up for stock cabinets; $8,000 to $10,000 for semi-custom cabinets; $16,000 to $20,000 and up for custom-made cabinetry. How do I know if my cabinets are good for refacing? Refacing is feasible if your existing cabinet boxes are structurally sound and in good condition. Cabinets with water damage (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/floods/water-damage-home-repair/), warping, and broken frames are poor candidates. Particleboard cabinetry sometimes requires fasteners, in addition to adhesives, to ensure that the veneer is secure. How are they installed? A professional installer will come to your house to measure your cabinets and determine the amount of veneer required, the correct sizes and quantities for door and drawer fronts, and how much hardware is needed. Newly ordered doors and drawer fronts may take 1 to 2 weeks for delivery. When all the materials are in hand, your installer removes old cabinet door and drawer fronts, and prepares the surface of the cabinet boxes by washing the exteriors with a degreaser and lightly sanding the finish. Any significant flaws in the surface are repaired or filled to ensure a smooth, secure fit for the new veneer. The installer applies veneer to the cabinet faces and any exposed cabinet ends, then mounts the new doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. The process typically takes 2 to 4 days. More about upgrading your kitchen and cabinets: Classy Cabinet Upgrades for Under $100 (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/kitchens/how-to-update-kitchen-cabinets/) | Fantastic Backsplash Ideas (http://www.houselogic.com/photos/kitchens/backsplash-ideas/) | How to Avoid Designing a Kitchen That Will Make You Fat (http://www.houselogic.com/blog/kitchens/your-kitchen-making-you-fat/) | Under-Cabinet Lighting (http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/lighting/under-cabinet-lighting-your-kitchen-task-masters/) Can I do kitchen cabinet refacing myself? Detailed instructions and adhesive-backed veneers make cabinet refacing a feasible do-it-yourself project. If you have extra time, patience, the necessary veneering tools, and a knack for precision, you can save money by tackling kitchen cabinet refacing on your own. If you opt to do your own kitchen cabinet refacing, you'll spend about $200 to $500 on average for materials. Specialized tools (rollers, blades, irons) add $5 to $60 to the cost.
Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets: The Options and Costs
4225 Research Forest #101 The Woodlands, Texas 77381 Office (281) 363-2500 Cell (281) 413-0830 Fax (281) 363-2740
By: Jan Soults Walker Published: January 03, 2012T
Article From HouseLogic.com