Kitchen Renovation Ideas
Your kitchen is your pathway to a realm of savory delights. Home-cooked dinners and family gatherings all take place in the kitchen. Have you looked at your kitchen recently and discovered it lacking in efficiency or taste? There are many kitchen renovation ideas that can transform your kitchen into a place where you can truly cook to your heart’s content. These kitchen ideas include gorgeous counter tops, unique back splashes and even kitchen islands where you can prep and stage different varieties of food.
What Does It Take to Add a Kitchen Island?
At the focal point of the kitchen space, a kitchen island can add incredible function and aesthetics. There are many types of kitchen islands, thus it will be important to make some strong, certain decisions that you can your contractor can agree on. Your local general contractor will be able to inform you whether your kitchen island can be installed based upon your specified budget. If you would like to add a gas hook-up, for example, that will impact costs. Please make sure to draw up some blueprints concerning where storage will be located, where food prep areas will be located, and your appliances. The more planning you do beforehand, the better and more specific the outcome of your kitchen island
How to Select a Backsplash
Your back splash can create a huge impact in your kitchen. Nestled between your cabinetry and your appliances, a pop of color can truly create a resonant effect. Consider the make and composition of your appliances. Are they white? Black? Or stainless steel? These will impact your eventual back splash decision. If you are going for a more muted effect, shades of beige, white or another neutral can create an undercurrent of elegance. Depending on the color palette of your kitchen, you can truly create a sparkling effect.
Opening Up and Updating Your Kitchen to Suit Your Needs
There are some realistic ways you can update your kitchen without going to the expense of a large renovation. For example, switching out the hardware of your kitchen can not only create more efficiency, but it can also stylize your kitchen. Adding some under cabinet lighting increases the amount of light you have in your food-prep areas. Have you been looking at a new dishwasher? Splurging on a new appliance can increase your happiness and translate into some real value.
Countertop Flair
While aesthetics are certainly important, when it comes to your kitchen counter tops, the most important factor is how durable they are and how they are going to stand up to food prep. Food prep includes stains, spills, contact with knives, heavy kitchen appliances, and bacteria. Not every counter top on the market will stand such treatment in the same way. That’s why it’s important to measure your enthusiasm for the look of your new counter tops with enthusiasm for their strength.
Upgrading Your Appliances
Upgrading your appliances is a good idea, considering the expense is in your budget, and you do research on the most reliable brands for your kitchen usage. According to many home improvement sources, upgrading your refrigerator should be your first option. Among all the kitchen appliances, the refrigerator is the greatest energy hog. Replacing a refrigerator from the ’80s with an Energy Star model will save $100 per year on your energy bill while replacing a ’70’s model with an Energy Star model will save $200 per year. Refrigerators with the freezer located on top are the most energy-efficient models of all. Home remodeling projects often include some new appliance purchases.
Small Kitchen Renovation Ideas
When it comes to renovating a small kitchen, creativity is key, as space is at a premium. In one small kitchen example, a homeowner was able to transform a U-shaped kitchen with a bar into an open concept kitchen with a small kitchen island. The orientation of the space was improved, as was the mobility of the cook. Another example of a successful small kitchen renovation was with a simple changing of the layout and reorganization of the space. In a small kitchen, the homeowner should ponder, “what do I really need?” and then write up a list and blueprints based upon those basic needs.
Can I Switch My Electric Stove to a Gas-Range?
Gas stoves are far more efficient in terms of energy. They are also vastly preferred by chefs and cooking aficionados. If you would like to switch your electric stove to a gas-range, it is entirely possible. Gas stoves require both gas and electricity to work, thus it will be important to select a contractor who is skilled at converting such stoves. A reputable contractor will be able to size up the current size of the pipes, assess the current gas usage and figure out the best way to drop in a line.
If you need a kitchen renovation in Virginia Beach, VA, you need a company that consistently delivers proven results. Call Neblett Construction at 757-633-9949 to speak with our staff about making an appointment today!
