Kitchen Renovations – Improving Everyday Life While Adding Value to a Future Possible Home Resale

The quality of life, when it comes to having a nice, organized and functional home, is important to many people, especially busy people with children who work and have to get dinner on the table before an assortment of activities commence after dinner or lunch on the weekends. Ballet practice, hockey practice, business meetings or an evening on the town could be less stressful if the preparation of dinner takes less time.

A kitchen renovation could update and recharge a tired, old kitchen into something of a family gathering place where not only good meals happen, but families are brought together over the kitchen table for discussions, game night or homework help.

There are several things to consider and keep in mind when undertaking a kitchen renovation job, even if a homeowner is hiring a professional company to do the work – which is the first recommendation. Do not try to attempt to renovate a kitchen unless you have a strong background in construction. It is best to leave this type of home improvements to a licensed renovator.

Before beginning a kitchen renovation, a professional company will ask several questions such as would you like to paint or stain the cabinets, what is your preference on countertops and how about an island?

For cabinets, the largest item in a kitchen, a determining height should be noted first. Most cabinet typically reach the ceiling to give the homeowner more storage space, however if your walls are taller than 8 feet, leave about 15 inches or so from the top because that is too high to reach anything on the top shelf and this area could be used to display collections of cookie jars, decorative baskets or just about any large kitchen items.

For kitchen cabinetry finishing, most finishes become dated and are not easily forgiving of dirt and grim; stained wood cabinets are washable and brush-painted cabinets can be unique in the right kitchen setting. For the drawers, ask for high-quality hinges and slides so the drawers wont stick. Stapled particleboard is not very sturdy and for cabinet interiors, melamine, MDF, particleboard and laminate are not as durable as wood veneer.

Countertops are the next thing a visitor will focus on when entering a kitchen so choose something elegant. White Carrara marble, either acid washed or honed and sealed, and stained wood will add warmth and elegance. Or try Kirkstone slate, soapstone and Wiarton limestone and plastic laminate with wood edges for a sophisticated look. There are a few considerations on countertops surfaces, brick, slate, terra-cotta and slate may have inherent texture flaws and are a little more difficult to clean; however, they will hide more dirt and crumbs. Stainless steel is beautiful and offers a ‘clean line’ look, although smudges may drive a person crazy.

A bulky cube for an island in the middle of the room does not work. Islands that have an airy, open look will pull a kitchen together. An island should not have any appliances on it.

The style of a kitchen should be compatible with the rest of the home, don’t overdo the details. Decorative excess could be found in pediment over the stove and pilaster mouldings.

Don’t go overboard on appliances and gadgets, a select, reliable few of the basics will work just as good as several small novelty items.