Kitchen Remodel Richmond VA can enhance the functionality of your home or increase its resale value. It also can be an opportunity to include custom storage solutions like pop-up mixer shelves and a built-in wine rack.
Budget for and order big-ticket items (like appliances, sinks, cabinets, and counters) early in the project. This will lessen the risk of back orders and delays.
A kitchen remodel entails changing the layout of cabinets, appliances, and countertops. It can include a reconfiguration of plumbing and electrical elements. It usually involves a demo, which means removing the old cabinets and appliances and patching drywall. It also reveals the subfloor and allows the contractor to change the location of outlets, switches, and light fixture boxes and relocate sinks, dishwashers, and refrigerators if necessary.
It’s important to establish a budget and define the project scope before getting started. You’ll want to decide which changes are a must and which are nice-to-haves. Then you can create a rough design of what your ideal kitchen looks like that includes both the necessary and desirable changes.
Once you’ve decided on the layout, a general contractor can make realistic alterations to the room size and shape that work with your space. It may be able to add a window for better lighting, expand an existing pantry into an open-plan dining area or incorporate a sitting area into the space.
There are 5 classic kitchen layout ideas: U-shape, one wall, L-shaped, corridor and G-shape (which combines U and L). This galley-style layout has cabinets on only one wall and works well in small spaces where every square foot counts or in an open-plan home where the footprint is shared with a living and dining space. This type of layout places the oven and fridge in close proximity to the sink, maximizing workflow.
When you remodel your kitchen, the appliances you choose make a significant impact on both the look and the function of your new space. You can upgrade your refrigerator to a more modern model that will better keep food fresh, or you can opt for a dishwasher that will cut down on noise and energy usage.
You may also want to upgrade your oven or stove to a more efficient model that will save you money on utility bills. If you are looking to go green, there are many options available to you as well, including the use of natural lighting and water-saving fixtures.
When it comes to choosing appliances, it’s important to talk to a local repair man before you make your final decisions. This will help you avoid the pain of splurging on a new appliance that isn’t supported by your local repair man, or that will require costly replacement parts in the future. Additionally, you should try to select appliances that match your kitchen design. There are plenty of styles to choose from, so you can find a set that complements your space perfectly. You can even find models that are “flush” in installation, meaning they’re the same depth as your cabinets, for a more integrated look. You can also get them in a variety of colors, allowing you to coordinate with your decor. Ultimately, the appliances you choose will have a major impact on your overall kitchen remodel budget.
Cabinets are the biggest-ticket item in a kitchen remodel, accounting for 15%-35% of total project costs. They’re also one of the most permanent elements, so spending a little extra to get the right ones is well worth the money.
If you’re not relocating plumbing, stock cabinets offer the best price/performance value. They come in a wide range of styles and colors, including painted white. However, the quality of the construction varies considerably. Some of the cheaper options are made from pressed wood, MDF or plywood topped with a layer of paper glued to melamine resin; these materials aren’t as durable as solid hardwoods and can show signs of warping over time.
Semi-custom cabinets offer more styles and configurations than stock, but they aren’t as affordable as custom. They’re a good choice if you don’t mind taking the time to carefully measure your space, order and install them yourself or hire a professional.
This dated kitchen lacked adequate storage and featured a layout that closed off the room. A simple update—moving the sink window and replacing a traffic-blocking peninsula—improved both functions. Light colors, neutral finishes and a new countertop and backsplash brightened the room. The homeowners did most of the work themselves, but hired a contractor to replace the appliances and add a dishwasher. Adding a breakfast bar and open shelves to the island doubled its storage capacity. This allowed for more seating and made it easy to access cookware and dishware.
Countertops are a big part of a kitchen’s visual appeal, and they’re often where a homeowner puts their personal stamp on the room. They need to be sturdy enough to support a variety of tasks like cutting, food preparation and eating. They’re also exposed to the elements and must be cleaned frequently. A remodel should include the installation of new countertops that fit the style and function of the space.
If you’re on a tight budget, you can still get your dream kitchen by replacing the old countertops with lower-cost options such as laminate and vinyl. Both can imitate the look of more expensive materials, including stone. They’re easy for homeowners to install, although professional installation from a company like JSB Home Solutions is recommended to avoid problems such as warping and chipping.
Tile is another economical option for counters, and it comes in many different colors and patterns. Newer porcelain types even mimic the look of wood and natural stone. However, grout seams can be a challenge to keep clean and can cause the counters to crack or chip.
Granite and quartz are popular choices for high-end counters, and they can add value to your home. However, they’re also very expensive. If you’re not planning to sell your home anytime soon, this type of counter may not be an appropriate investment. Other alternatives for countertop material include solid-surfacing and concrete, which are cheaper but still require a significant amount of upkeep.
Flooring is a major design element that must meet functional needs like durability and stave off spills and stains. However, the floor is also a big part of how the rest of the room looks and can make or break its overall aesthetic. Whether you want a bold pattern or something soft and neutral, the wide variety of materials, colors and textures available make it possible to find the perfect floor for any kitchen.
One of the more classic choices is tile, with its long-lasting ceramic and porcelain tiles. Modern printing technology can even create tile that mimics the look of other natural materials like travertine or marble. Another popular option is hardwood. Hardwoods are warm underfoot and can add an elegance to the kitchen that’s not often found in other rooms. Woods can dent from dropped items, but can also be sanded and refinished to refresh their appearance over time.
Hardwood floors can also be laid in a pattern, creating a flowing style that ties the different elements of the kitchen together. Concrete flooring may sound too harsh for a kitchen, but it can actually be stained to look like other materials and is very durable. It’s also waterproof when properly sealed, although it’s still a good idea to put down mats near areas of excessive moisture. Cork is a relatively new flooring material that’s environmentally friendly and soft underfoot with an elastic feel. It’s also inexpensive and can be installed as a DIY project.
Lighting is a key component of any kitchen remodel. It can make or break how your new kitchen looks, feels and functions. Lighting represents about 5% of total project costs, which is an investment that will pay dividends.
During the design phase, we’ll help you select fixtures that fit your needs and budget. We’ll also take into account your kitchen’s layout and size to determine how many lights you need, including options like recessed, pendant, and track lighting.
Recessed lights are a common option for illuminating kitchens because of their versatility and affordability. They can be installed in hollow openings in the ceiling for a discreet look or mounted directly above sinks, standalone chopping stations, and dining areas to provide useful task lighting.
Pendant lights are another popular option for general illumination, as well as accent lighting for items such as a hanging pot rack or colorful string lights to light up the counter. Choose from a variety of styles and finishes to coordinate with your kitchen decor.
Track lighting offers more flexibility than standard recessed or surface-mount fixtures, as they can be aligned in different directions. This can create a modern, industrial aesthetic and add visual interest to the space. Under cabinet lighting is an affordable way to brighten kitchens, and it can be hardwired or plugged into the wall depending on your preference. It’s an ideal way to illuminate items in storage or highlight decorative elements such as a collection of vintage glassware or artwork.
