Nothing can increase the value of your home like a well-thought-out, high-end kitchen remodel. The kitchen is the heart of your home, and taking care of it will make your home even better. It is an important undertaking and one that requires a lot of thought. It is important to have all the options thought out to obtain the best possible remodeling.
Part of the planning process is having drawings and plans in place and ready to go. 3D renderings can give you a great view of what your kitchen will look like before work even begins. These are a great tool to have and can save time and money. Design time should NOT be after the kitchen has been dismantled. Having a plan in place keeps the project on budget and on schedule.
Here are some things to remember about high-end kitchen remodels:
Appliances and cabinets
For cabinets, you’ll need to figure out what type of wood will work best in your home. It is also necessary to determine the style of the doors and the finish of the cabinet. Many leading designers recommend a furniture or factory finish, as opposed to anything that requires a site finish.
The correct design of the cabinet depends on the appliances. Full-size stoves and refrigerators are no longer the norm in high-end remodels. People are opting for larger stoves with extra burner capacity. Remember that the size of the stove affects the size of the hood and if you are larger, so will the Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM) of your hood. If it’s over 300 CFM, you’ll need passive make-up air at a minimum. Much larger hoods may require a special motorized make-up air system. The concern is that the exhaust of a hood may draw air from other products in the home, such as a gas water heater, instead of allowing this appliance to vent. This could cause carbon monoxide problems, so you’ll need to be careful. Depending on the complexity, a larger hood could cost you an additional $1,000 to $2,500.
The other important element in the kitchen will be the refrigerator. Having it flush with countertops is a stylish option, but one that will add to the cost. Many now opt for counter-depth refrigerators, though they can cost $1,000 to $2,500 more than traditional refrigerators. Other popular appliances include add-on under-cabinet or drawer refrigerators, wine coolers, warming drawers, built-in microwave/convection, add-on ovens and more.
Turning on
Recessed lighting is very popular in high-end remodels. A popular upgrade to recessed lighting is the use of LED bulbs, which will add more to the cost, but the bulbs last many years longer and are much more energy efficient so they will pay for themselves. The price of the LED upgrade has been greatly reduced and will soon be the norm.
Accent lighting above, below, or inside cabinets is also very popular. These lighting fixture options range from xenon to LED, puck, halogen and more. Some options will require the installation of a transformer, so it is important to consider all options. Also think about how you’ll turn off the bulbs and make replacements a pain in the ass. In recessed or specialty lighting, you should consider the idea of switching with a dimmer.
Countertops and sinks
Maintenance free is what most homeowners look for in a countertop. They also need to think about the backsplash, and if it’s going to be tile or tile, and if it’s tile, what type? An accent can also be installed, but it must be determined where it will begin and end.
For sinks and faucets, the most popular option is undermount. Factors that will affect the choice include whether it is an apron, the size, whether there will be a vegetable sink and/or Insta Hot. Sink types that are popular with high-end remodels include solid surface, porcelain, stainless steel, and more.
Floors
Tile is usually the most durable type of flooring, but it can be expensive, cold, and unforgiving if you drop something on it. Other popular options include wood, laminate, and vinyl.
Whatever you choose, remember that the kitchen is yours and you should be happy with the choices you make.