Kitchen Remodeling Basics: A Homeowner’s Guide – Part 2: Key Kitchen Components to Focus on During a Remodel

Whether you want a traditional kitchen or looking for one with a more modern vibe, these components will have to be addressed to ensure the success of your kitchen remodeling project:

• Layout – The kitchen work triangle is your friend.
• Backsplash – You’d be surprised at how much the right backsplash can contribute to breathing new life into your kitchen. Fortunately, there are more options available now than ever, ensuring you have more than enough to choose from to find the right one for you.
• Countertop – Look for a countertop material that is durable, beautiful and easy to maintain.
• Flooring – Patterns can add a much-needed twist to your kitchen, putting the focus on your flooring as a m ain feature.
• Color – Do you want a lot of color for a happier atmosphere or a more neutral palette for timeless appeal? Your answer will help you decide on a color scheme for your new kitchen.
• Lighting – Combine different types of fixtures and light sources to achieve a lighting scheme perfect for your kitchen.

Worthy Add-Ons

If you host parties at your home, you do a lot of cooking, and this may mean getting some help from time to time. If you entertain frequently enough, all the food prep you do may warrant a second sink. Placed outside the main cooking zone, it gives a second cook an area for prepping food and cleaning up without getting in your way.

You should also opt for paneled cabinet ends. Costs will depend on the paneling you choose, but the way the exposed ends of your cabinets are covered can make or break your kitchen’s new look. To eliminate slamming cabinet doors, soft-close drawer glides will be your friend.

Quick Tips

• Paths around the kitchen should measure at least 36 inches wide while those in cooking zone between 42 and 48 inches wide. If needed, adjust kitchen islands accordingly.
• Got kids? Make sure you have shelves and drawers at their height, where you can easily store snacks for easy access.
• Plan to have more counter space between your sink and cooktop if you cook a lot. Don’t forget landing spaces on each side of the stove and refrigerator as well.
• Break up monotonous cabinetry by incorporating varying storage solutions between standard cabinet blocks.
• Create a focal point by picking just one kitchen design to highlight and adding other details to complement it.

With an idea of what your dream kitchen should be, it’s time to bring your remodeling ideas to life. Head on over to Part 3 of this blog series to learn more about choosing the right contractor.