As the family meeting ground and the room where it all gets done ? cooking, entertaining, conversation, math homework ? the kitchen is the heart of the home. Whatever lifestyle revolves around your kitchen, making it a place you want to spend your time is an exciting venture. The folks at The Detroit News recently highlighted this fact in an article titled ?Remodel your kitchen, the heart of your home.?
Therein, the newspaper cited Remodeling magazine's 2008?2009 ?Cost Versus Value? report to reveal that ?nationally, the average cost for ? a major kitchen remodel is about $56,000, while the cost of a minor remodel is roughly $21,000.? While that may sound like a lot of cash, fortunately, a kitchen remodel affords homeowners an excellent return on investment.
In spite of a firmly entrenched recession, the phrase ?The kitchen is the heart of the home? holds especially true today. And ?with more people staying in their homes rather than moving, kitchen remodeling is a hot topic? even at the hefty price tags quoted by Remodeling magazine. The economy is simply causing homeowners to approach kitchen remodeling differently. ?Today's typical homeowner is more cost-conscious and is leaning toward more sleek and simple designs. For example, ?people [are] remodeling with general cabinets, but spending more on their countertops and backsplashes to provide the accent.?
Other kitchen remodeling trends the recession is spurring include a toning down in design choices and a leaning toward ?green? kitchen designs. Homeowners are yearning to get back to basics and many of them are opting to make their kitchen makeovers an environmentally friendly one. Price, of course, is still the determining factor when it comes to implementing eco-conscious kitchen elements.
Perhaps that's why, then, many kitchen remodeling experts are seeing their ?remodelers coming in to buy the low-end cabinets because their customers just want to replace their old ones at the least cost, or do-it-yourselfers who are buying the high-end cabinets because they are saving money on the installation.?
Cabinetry isn't the only place remodelers are cutting corners, however. They're also opting for less expensive countertop surfaces. Because its prices have remained stable, granite is still a very popular kitchen countertop selection. And no kitchen makeover would be complete without new appliances, where the global financial situation is leading to ?a shift away from all-stainless appliances toward a fully integrated look that blends in with the kitchen design.?
It's in their new appliances as well that homeowners can realize their yen for a greener kitchen without breaking the bank. That's because ?appliances are much more energy efficient today.? In fact, many of today's refrigerators can be run for ?about the same cost as a 100-watt light bulb, which is around $70 a year.?
An online kitchen super center can provide ideas, sparks of inspiration, assistance and advice, so that homeowners can save money while still getting the kitchen of their dreams. With links to major manufacturers of kitchen cabinets, countertops, appliances, hardware, faucets, sinks, flooring, lighting, windows and wall coverings, it can also assist homeowners in making that single focalized impact they're craving.
When you decide to remodel your kitchen, you are taking on a tremendous task that could easily have disastrous results. Before you pickup that hammer and start demolishing the old cabinets and counter tops, you really need to sit down and figure out exactly what you want from your new kitchen. The kitchen is too important of a room for you to just "throw together". Thought and careful planning must be utilized prior to starting the remodel. This article will discuss a few things you should take into consideration before beginning any type of kitchen remodel.
Do you have a digital camera? If you don't have one already, then you need to go buy one! You are going to need it. Before you start designing the new layout of your kitchen, you need to visit home remodel stores such as Home Depot, Ikea, or any similar type of store. The bigger the store, the better. These types of stores have showrooms on display. These showrooms allow you to see the many ways a person can design and build a kitchen. When you see something you like, take a snapshot with your camera! I would suggest you visit at least three of these types of stores and get a thorough look at their showroom floor. With your printed photographs, you can then develop a general idea of how you want your new kitchen to look.
Are you going to hire a contractor or do the work yourself? If you choose to hire a contractor, get at least four different estimates from local companies. When I say "local contractors", I mean it: get bids from builders who are within a 10 to 15 minute drive from your home. And while you are considering bids, remember that the cheapest bid is not always the best. Analyze each estimate and thoroughly breakdown their pricing. Sometimes a more expensive estimate is actually cheaper because it includes items the other contractors forgot to mention. The more thorough the bid the contractor gives you; the less likely there will be surprise bills during the remodel process.
If you are not going to hire a contractor and you are going to supervise the project yourself, I recommend you hire a contractor as a consultant and pay them an hourly rate to sit down with you and discuss the potential problems that may arise. Use their knowledge to help you build your project. Don't be afraid to ask questions. As long as you are paying the contractor for their time, they will be open and honest with you about the entire construction process and the potential problems that can occur. Their consultant fees are easily worth the price.
How many people in your household use the kitchen? Are you the only cook? Or does your spouse also like to cook? Do you entertain often and throw big parties with lots of guests? Or do you prefer quiet, intimate meals with your loved one? These types of questions must be answered when you are designing your new kitchen. After all, the kitchen should reflect what you prefer most.
Another consultant I recommend you hire is an interior designer. You can either hire them to completely design your kitchen or you can choose to pay them as a consultant. Much like the building contractor, an interior designer is an expert in their field and can offer you invaluable advice on basic design and color schemes that will make your new kitchen perfect for your taste.
The above suggestions can make a dramatic difference on the outcome of your new kitchen. And if you choose to do the work yourself, I strongly recommend you hire a builder along with an interior designer as consultants because they can really make your entire remodel much easier. Good luck with your remodel!
Both Carmen Fontana & Jonathan Zemeckis are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Carmen Fontana has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kitchen Remodeling Ideas, Kitchen Home Improvement and self improvement and motivation. Carmen Fontana is a Web Services Manger for Western Reserve Internet Services. You can start planning your kitchen remodel using 's online. Carmen Fontana's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.
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