How Should You Remodel Your Kitchen?

The kitchen has taken over as the most important room in the house for many today. It's often more than just a place to keep and prepare food. Many homeowners use the kitchen for entertaining and it has become the heart of the home. How can you renovate your kitchen to suit your needs and appeal to buyers?

The Best Features Found in Edmonton Kitchens

Investing in your kitchen can bring out all the potential. Whether you're shopping for a home and you want to make sure it has the perfect kitchen or you plan to remodel, understanding some of the best features can help. Here are some of the most powerful and most common features found in kitchens of Edmonton homes.

Space and Light

Two of the most important things people are adding to their kitchen are space and light. Making the area larger by adding extra counter space, cupboards and other features provides a better place for entertaining. Many kitchens feature islands that serve as both a place to prepare meals and a place to entertain guests.

The light is also very important and can make the kitchen look cleaner. Using the right colours, such as cream or taupe can help provide a lighter and brighter feeling to the area. Adding artificial light can also make a difference when natural light is in small supply.

Functionality

Your kitchen probably serves as a place for gathering, preparing meals, for kids to do homework and so much more. This is a high traffic area and needs to be designed for maximum functionality. It should be open enough to allow you to cook, while the kids do their homework, but separate enough that it doesn't interfere with family time in the other room. The best kitchen designs provide multi-functionality to the room.

Along with the space, light and functionality, it's important to consider how the kitchen fits with the rest of the house. It should provide a smooth transition from other rooms and should be easy to access.

How can you Remodel Your Kitchen on a Small Budget?

Maybe it's time for some updates in the kitchen, but you know the budget won't be huge. There are certain things you can do to make a large impact in the kitchen without spending your entire savings. Here are some tips to consider if you're remodeling your kitchen on a budget.

Paint Cabinets instead of Replacing

When you spend the cash to replace the cabinets, you may not have any money left for anything else. It can be a big expense, but just painting the cabinets isn't. You can save quite a bit of money and get the impact you desire from painting the cabinets.

Replace the Hardware

Sometimes, all you need is a new, shiny handle on the cabinets and drawers to make a difference in your kitchen. Replacing kitchen hardware is one of the least expensive things you can do and provides a nice impact. Pair this with painting your cabinets and your kitchen may look brand new.

Paint an Accent Wall

Of course, painting the walls in your kitchen is a very inexpensive way to make an impact. As you are painting, consider using one wall as an accent wall. You can add a little colour by going a few shades deeper than your primary colour. Pair this with a few pieces of beautiful artwork on display shelves and you're kitchen can look brand new.

Update the Backsplash

For just a few hundred dollars and a little bit of your time, you can replace the backsplash. This can have a nice impact on your kitchen and even if you've never worked with tile, this is a very easy project. You can find plenty of how-to videos online from professionals.

All of these kitchen projects can make an impact and they won't cost nearly as much as a complete overhaul. If you have a small budget, but you want to update your kitchen, use these tips to add personality.

What Makes the Perfect Kitchen?

The kitchen is one important area of the house. Designing a new kitchen needs more time and a lot of effort, however minor details are often overlooked. 

Over the years, buyers have been more detailed and meticulous when designing or looking for a new kitchen. Before, granite countertops can only be seen in expensive houses however nowadays it has become common for most kitchens to have granite counters. Also, for starter condos, stainless-steel appliances are already being offered as one modern feature. 

Kitchens back in the days were usually not within the sight of the guests, however this time, the kitchen area has become the main area of the house for entertaining and for the family. Still, there should be a division between the kitchen and the front door. The open floor plan feature is excellent but with a messy kitchen, it would be a great idea to have it hidden or partially hidden. 

Some of the home kitchen upgrades that are worth trying and paying for include the following: 

• Hood Fan:  Having a hood fan when cooking using aromatic spices is mandatory. Smells from such spices can remain and stick in almost everything inside the house like the house paint, carpet, cabinets etc. and this can make the house less appealing. 
• Gas Stove:  This is still debatable since it can be pretty expensive to run a gas line to the kitchen. However for cooks, this is very convenient. To achieve the gourmet kitchen look and feel, having a kitchen gas stove is important. 
• Kitchen Island: The island should be large enough for entertaining and food preparations however it should not be big so cleaning does not become a hassle. To hide the kitchen mess, having a raised bar on the island is practical. Also, some designers make use of different materials to come up with unique raised bars. 
• Full-height Cabinets: Compared to short cabinets that collect clutter and dust, full-height cabinets look way better. The top shelves can be used to store rarely used items. For high ceilings, try adding crown molding and toppers to the cabinets. 
• Drawers: Having several drawers on the kitchen island is perfect. Drawers can save space and can make the kitchen stay organized and tidy. 
• Lighting: Mix of ambient or general lighting, accent lighting, and task lighting is a good idea. These lights must come with dimmer switches. Any workplace needs task lighting and use of under-cabinet lighting is attractive and quite popular. Also, using halogen lights make food look better. 

Some kitchen upgrades that must be avoided include: 

• Island Sink: An island sink is not attractive to look at especially when there is a pile-up of dishes on it. The kitchen island should be more like a bar and not some cleaning station to wash the dishes and other items. If there is a need for an appliance in the kitchen, use the gas cooktop. 
• Tiny Walkways: An open space for the appliances and for moving around is a must. Tiny walkways can even cause accidents especially when moving around a lot while preparing the food. 

One of the most overlooked kitchen features is the kitchen’s actual placement inside the house. Kitchens should be facing the backyard so mothers can keep an eye on their children in the backyard while preparing or working on something in the kitchen. Always keep this detail in mind even if there are no kids in the family or selling the house someday can be a problem.