Kitchen Remodeling

Before and After Examples

Dream Kitchens made true!

Kitchen remodeling is one of the best ways to increase the value of your home and make this common gathering place more functional, efficient and beautiful. Though kitchen remodeling can carry a large price tag, it is more practical to think about the new design as an investment. The cost of remodeling your kitchen can vary according to a number of different factors.

Kitchen Remodeling on a Budget

Whether your budget is big or small, it is important to stay within your limits so when your kitchen remodeling project completes, it is something you can enjoy rather than worry about. You can avoid breaking your budget by careful planning and sticking to a plan. Start by making a priority list for your designs, which will often include the things about your kitchen that make you absolutely crazy. Maybe it’s the color of the cabinets and countertops or the faucets, sink and appliances are outdated. Perhaps your countertops don’t give you enough space to cook or your cupboards don’t have enough storage. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of a gourmet cooking space with a kitchen island or deep sinks? By making a priority list or a “must have” list, you can ensure these key items in your designs are completed if the costs of your kitchen remodeling project are higher than you planned and your budget doesn’t allow for everything you want.

Think about Function

Obviously, meal preparation and cleanup are at the top of anyone’s mind for this space. It has evolved over the years, though. Long gone are the days when there was perhaps one designated cook (Mom) to cater to the entire family’s needs. Instead, it has involved to more of a space where there may be multiple people in the family working to prepare their own meals. It may be that one is finishing up their dinner while another is making lunch for the next day.

Beyond that, there has been a great move into the kitchen as a gathering place in more recent remodeling projects. The kitchen and subsequent remodeling designs have been incorporated into the rest of the home as part of the living space. The kitchen is no longer as separate as it once was. Now it looks onto the great room, and allows the entire family and friends to help themselves, and to fully hang out together. The fact that many people are likely to be using the space to prepare big family meals, cook and serve food banquet style in your home, and also to prepare their own meals side-by-side drives remodeling designs.

9 Eco-Friendly Kitchen Ideas

• Bamboo According to housewares expert Gus Dallas, the latest in environmentally friendly kitchens includes fast-growing bamboo. The material makes great cutting boards and it can also be used for backsplashes and flooring.
• Scrap wood IKEA kitchen designer Martha Saldumbide says, “Where we can spare the environment, we do. We use a lot of scrap wood. It’s the wood that nobody else wants but it’s still really good hard wood.”
• Lighting To cut down on lighting costs, try using Leds. They cut energy use by 50 percent. Whenever possible, use natural light to brighten up your kitchen and bring down your electrical bill.
• Cork This renewable resource is made from the bark off a tree. It’s also sound-absorbing, hypoallergenic and resistant to mold and mildew, making it an excellent choice for kitchens.
• Recycled stone-chipped composite countertops These countertops resemble granite and are just as durable.
• Top and bottom freezer/refrigerator units These are more energy-efficient than side-by-side models because not as much cold air escapes. Not sure if your fridge can pass the eco-friendly test? Shut the door on a dollar bill — if it slides out easily then it’s a sign the seal needs to be replaced.
• Recyling stations This handy recycling stations pulls out for easy access. Other recyling cabinets are set on wheels so they can be moved wherever needed.
• Convection ovens This type of oven uses a fan to drive heat rapidly from source to food so it cooks it 25 percent faster than a conventional oven.
• Natural fabrics Choose cotton or wool for your dining chairs and window dressings since man-made fabrics are made with chemicals that harm the environment.