6 Clever Strategies for Kitchen Remodeling

Are you getting ready to take the leap and do the kitchen remodeling that you’ve been wanting to do for years? Now is a great time to take on the project, and we have some strategies that we’d like to share with you. These come from over 20 years of experience as a remodeling contractor in the Phoenix area. From Mesa to Surprise, we’ve worked on homes of all types in all price ranges, so you can be sure we’ve worked on one like yours.

Kitchen remodeling is one of the most expensive home improvement projects, but also one of the most rewarding. It not only raises its value more than any other project will, it also makes your home a more pleasant and functional place to live.

Be sure to incorporate the following strategies into your kitchen remodeling to ensure you get results that you will be happy to live with for years to come.

1. Don’t Rush the Planning Stage

There’s no room for winging it in a kitchen remodeling project. Once your remodeling contractor starts working, any changes you make will be much more expensive and time-consuming than they would have been if you had included them up front. This isn’t because we add penalty fees, but simply because changes almost always result in wasted material that has already been paid for and time being spent doing things that either don’t contribute to the final product, or have to be redone to match the new project specs.

Even though you may be eager to get started, as long as you’re in the planning stage, you are still able to live in your home and use the kitchen. Once you start remodeling, at least through the major demolition and reconstruction phases, you will not be able to use your kitchen, so it’s important to let the work be done as efficiently as possible, so your household can get back to living normally.

Planning Tips:

• Make a scale drawing – Measure every aspect of the room, including windows, nooks, etc. Write the dimensions of each element on the drawing. Before you include anything in your plan, include its dimensions in your drawing to make sure it fits. (Hint: Check any planned appliances against door widths to make sure you can get them into your house!)
• Assess work habits and traffic flow – If you regularly have more than one person in the kitchen, you need to make sure the areas you walk through are at least 48 inches wide. A one-person kitchen needs at least 42-inch walkways. Make sure that there is room to do the kind of work that is part of your routine.

2. Stay with the Existing Layout

If you are up for major home remodeling and have the time and money to do it, then moving walls or changing where the appliances in your kitchen go can really give you a totally new look, and can implement all the latest developments in kitchen design.

However, if you want to keep costs down, or have concerns about the length of time that you can’t use your kitchen, one of the biggest factors you can put into play is to stay with the existing footprint. Keep walls where they are, and upgrade the appliances and cabinetry, but don’t move them because that will entail plumbing and wiring changes as well. If you can avoid deconstruction of walls and floors, you can keep the project relatively simple, which is good for limiting both time and costs involved.

3. Update the Lighting

Kitchen lighting is not only about how the room looks. Great lighting also makes your kitchen a safer and more efficient work area. There is a trend away from hanging lights in kitchens, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a nice bright space. Recessed lighting helps create a clean line, but is more expensive, so consider flush-mounted ceiling fixtures or track lights.

If the kitchen is used for more than cooking, installing dimmer switches will allow you to have a bright work area, but a more relaxed atmosphere for eating or visiting.

Kitchen counters are usually at least partially under hanging cabinets, so install under-cabinet lighting to make the best use of the counter tops.

4. Select Appropriate Appliances

You can save a lot of money simply by not buying things you don’t need. If you cook often and enjoy preparing multi-course meals for large groups, then maybe a restaurant-quality stove is a good investment, but most people would just be throwing away money on features that they will never use.

Similarly, the most stylish appliances may look dated in a couple of years, whereas something more classic will be less expensive and look “new” longer.

5. Include Universal Design

Make the new kitchen accessible to everyone by incorporating design principles that meet the needs of young and old alike. An added benefit of incorporating universal design is that you will increase storage simply by making all the cabinet and drawer space easily accessible. After all, storage space you can’t reach usually winds up simply being wasted space.

6. Aim for Functionality and Durability

You are making an investment in your home with kitchen remodeling, so don’t undermine your efforts by cutting corners. Repurposed wood is great for furnishings and décor, but always go for new materials for any kitchen construction. There are cheaper versions of most things available, but to make sure your new kitchen stands the test of time, go for solid quality, and look for long warranty periods to back it up.

If you would like more information on Phoenix kitchen remodeling, give TWD a call at 623-544-1211. We would love to show you the many options and latest trends, and our certified universal design specialists are happy to help you come up with a plan.