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The changes you make in your kitchen should enhance functionality deliver an up to date appearance and make the room safe and comfortable Considering the nature of a kitchen remodeling project getting started can seem intimidating With the help of this Kitchen Remodeling Guide you ll have answers to many of your design questions and get a realistic sense of what a kitchen remodeling project might look like in your home

What You ll Learn 1 REALISTIC TIMELINE How Long Will It Take To Remodel Your Kitchen Why Does It Take That Long Stages of a Kitchen Remodel 2 DESIGN DECISIONS 8 Design Decisions You ll Need To Make What Cost Effective Options Are There Design Inspiration For Your Kitchen 3 KITCHEN REMODEL CHECKLIST 5 Tips For Living Without Kitchen Access Let s Go

How Long Will It Take Before you dive headfirst into a kitchen remodeling project you ll need to understand what a realistic timeline might be Unfortunately HGTV has given most homeowners false hope that a full gut kitchen remodel can happen in under a week For a more realistic understanding of how long your kitchen remodel might take it s important to learn about each of the factors that go into it First consider the extent of your remodel Are there cosmetic updates like painting the cabinets getting new light fixtures or changing out the appliances That may take 2 weeks However if you want to fully gut your kitchen and make major structural changes it ll take at least a month At Tom Curren Companies our average kitchen remodeling projects take between 6 10 weeks Of course like all home improvement projects this answer is subject to a long list of variables However at the bare minimum for a full gut kitchen remodel you should plan for at least 6 weeks not including the pre planning phases 6 10 WEEKS ON AVERAGE

Many of these stages happen simultaneously when you hire a professional contractor who manages the job efficiently instead of remodeling your kitchen as a DIY project

There are many door and drawer styles and colors to choose between from standard stock to custom built cabinet options When deciding what s right for your kitchen keep both form function in mind First identify your must haves which for most homeowners are a cooking range a dishwasher a microwave and a fridge and freezer Deciding which size styles are right for you depends on your usage Flooring manufacturers offer a wide range of materials and styles each designed to enhance the look of any room while offering a different level of practical features When deciding on your countertops you should consider how often you cook on them your budget how much maintenance you are willing to do and the look that will fit your kitchen s design Whether you opt to keep it simple and have a uniform backsplash throughout your kitchen or choose to liven it up with accent tiles you can truly customize what you want There are multiple finishes that can mix and match with your kitchen s overall look but choose something that you ll love looking at as you use the sink to wash dishes Typically using a combination of light fixtures is an excellent way to make the space more versatile for any occasion Light it up or dim it down having options never hurts

Just because you re remodeling doesn t mean you need to buy all new cabinets In the case that your cabinets are still fully functional but could use a little TLC painting or staining them is a great option It will add years of life to your cabinets and will look as new as everything else in your kitchen This style has a limited selection but is the most cost effective for buying new cabinets and offers the fastest turnaround time Stock cabinets are typically available in many standard color choices like white light ash or stained oak They come in a few styles most popular of which are Traditional and Shaker doors which have raised panels and or inset recessed doors Two popular options are wood veneer cabinets or MDF cabinets Wood veneer cabinets have stripes of wood applied to particleboard whereas the MDF cabinets have a thin plastic veneer applied to the top of the cabinet Base cabinets are typically 36 wide 24 deep by 30 tall read like this 36x24x30 Semi custom cabinets are a great way to have more features and options while still creating a personalized look Cabinets built to order can take between four and eight weeks They come in a wide range of finishes or stains with many color choices Typical in this range are colors of white grays or natural wood colorings Semi custom cabinets have extra features such as molding and decorative carpentry finishes Typical semi custom cabinets use plywood with solid MDF door frames and panels The cabinets use plywood with real wood veneers and then solid wood or plywood for the doors and drawers This build allows the best of both worlds with the real wood structure and the plywood flexibility Semi custom cabinets can be all different heights widths and depths The door styles colors extra features full wood materials hardware and craftsmanship can shine through with custom made cabinets These will be the most expensive and take the longest to create and build Contemporary or modern styled doors with maple walnut or stainless steel and personalization are typical of custom cabinets Statement colors such as royal or light blue or black are trending While there are solid wood cabinets these still are considered rare High end plywood does not warp in moist environments and has higher traffic use than solid wood Cherry is a heavy wood used in traditional and contemporary designs Stainless steel is the ultimate in durability look and lifespan There are truly no limits when it comes to custom cabinets

When deciding what brand of appliances you ll go with it s important to understand their warranties common issues they have wi th their products Many major companies post their service calls and problems to help educate consumers There are different designs and sizes of fridges and freezers units typically have two freezer drawers or a refrigerator drawer that s easily accessible to children You can also have a completely separate refrigerator and freezer Often homeowners store separate units in their garage or basement for additional storage Do you want built ins stainless steel or something else Do you want a water ice dispenser How much space do you need Cooking ranges have a wide variety of features to consider Ovens can offer convection cooking double oven options and can be self cleaning The cooktop can be a glass smooth top for electric options while gas fueled cooktops offer grate or deep recessed options for the burners Cooktops can also have inductive heating for cooking fueled by electricity and topped with a glass surface that transfers energy into metal objects Do you want a freestanding or a slide in range Do you want gas electric or dual fuel range There are multiple locations to consider putting your microwave Over the range on the counter in your base cabinets or in your upper cabinets With each of these spots your microwave can look as built in or as freestanding as you want it to Do you want a drawer or a door Do you want an LED screen Traditional dishwashers are still the most popular type as they can be paneled to blend with your cabinets or left as they are Drawer dishwashers are an efficient alternative with the flexibility to run even smaller loads Do you like running smaller or larger loads of dishes Do you need adjustable racks If you love to cook and have room in your kitchen and in your budget then a steam oven is a great addition Steam ovens typically have a smaller footprint than a standard oven and are usually a standalone unit They can serve as an alternative for a microwave as well For the wine lovers of the world adding a wine fridge is a unique addition to your kitchen They range from units that hold a single case to those that hold over 100 bottles and keep your wine at optimal temperature They even come with a lock to keep the kids out

Tile flooring is a popular option for high traffic areas of the home because of its easy to clean features It s also a great choice for rooms where there is often a high degree of moisture present There are different variations of tile but these are most popularly used in the kitchen This material is noted for its high degree of durability as well as its ability to resist moisture It s also stain and scratch resistant Ceramic tile is available in a wide range of colors and styles including tiles that mimic the look of stone and wood Ceramic tile is budget friendly and also has a high degree of durability Natural stone tile flooring is a popular option with homeowners who prefer the look of natural elements It s available in limestone granite slate marble travertine and sandstone While all of these types are notable for their easy toclean features with the exception of granite and some types of slate natural tile flooring is porous and does require periodic sealing treatments Vinyl has come a long way in recent years and is now available in both planks and sheets Both options can mimic the look of both wood and stone making them a great option for almost any room Both types are great for kitchens foyers hallways bedrooms bathrooms anywhere where homeowners need flooring that resists moisture and is easy to care for These types of flooring are great choices for those who simply prefer the natural look of wood While not as budget friendly as other types of flooring the rich beauty of hardwood looks great in virtually every part of the home including living areas bedrooms foyers and kitchens Laminate flooring is very easy to care for and is a great option for high traffic areas Although laminate is fairly moisture resistant over time excessive moisture could eventually damage this type of flooring so it s not recommended for bathrooms and other high moisture areas of the home

When properly sealed granite is stain scratch heat and water resistant It s one of the hardest natural stones making it a great option for a high traffic kitchen There are different colors and patterns to work with allowing you to choose the shade that blends perfectly with your style On the other side granite is relatively expensive and requires regular sealing to promote longevity Marble is a high end natural stone that is soft and porous and less durable making it suitable for use in low traffic kitchens It comes in a variety of colors and styles and no two pieces are the same making it a unique option However the countertop material needs frequent maintenance and cuts and scratches more easily It s also sensitive to acidic substances and harsh chemical cleaners Quartz delivers a high class look without extra maintenance due to its nonporous surface that is resistant to both staining and scratching It s extremely durable and doesn t need to be sealed It offers a variety of shades to choose from and can be custom fabricated in any shape and size On the downside quartz can t withstand high levels of heat so putting hot pots or pans on it will do damage This marvel has been around for a while and goes in and out of style Its seamless quality makes it a real workhorse almost nothing can do any long term damage to it Burn marks or stains will sand right out It comes in a huge range of colors and you can match it to your cabinets or wall colors However with its fluctuating popularity you run the risk of a lower resale value down the road For a cost effective option a ceramic tile countertop may work for you There are a lot of options when it comes to the look and feel On the other hand it s more likely to crack if something hot is resting on it and the grout lines between the tiles are hard to keep clean If you do pick this option look for large format tiles with crisp edges for tight grout lines Soapstone is a great choice if you re the type of chef who likes to take a hot pan off the stovetop and put it directly onto the countertop It s also relatively stain resistant making it great for spills However some homeowners find that dark soapstone is hard to fit in with their color scheme and consider it difficult to keep looking sparkling clean Wood countertops won t handle hot pans right off the stove but look beautiful and very natural in your home Tom s personal favorite is Tiger Maple which is hard and very durable Wood counters are relatively easy to have made but over time may begin to look a little dull With some light sanding with denatured alcohol and a fresh coat of butcher block oil it sparkle again Concrete is heat and scratch resistant material making it very practical for the kitchen One advantage of concrete countertops is that it fits with any style and can be dyed to be darker to lighter depending on your style Concrete is a cost effective option

If there s one area of your kitchen to add a splash of color it s your backsplash A backsplash is usually characterized as the wall space between your counters and your upper cabinets if you have them Some homeowners choose to keep that space tile free and decide to paint it However in many of the newer kitchens we ve remodeled a tile backsplash is the most popular option A uniform solid color backsplash for an easy relatively safe way to bring color into your kitchen while not making it look too Subway tiles and natural earth toned tiles are a great option to have a clean look Consider playing around with a creative arrangement like herringbone There are many decorative tiles that make great backsplashes because they already have a pattern Break up a solid color tile backsplash with a single row of more decorous tile in a complimenting shade Of course there are plenty of options to play around with and you can get as creative as you d like If you can t afford to tile your entire backsplash or you just don t love the look of that a budget friendly alternative is to use tile in a square or rectangular pattern behind your cooking range This can be a great way to draw focus in your kitchen and create a natural flow of traffic through the room

Typically homeowners choose a standard finish on lighting plumbing fixtures but it s possible to mix and match as well A few of the many popular finishes to consider are Chrome Brushed Nickel Brass Matte Black Copper Polished Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze vary in colors styles finishes and materials It s a space you ll use almost every day so keeping that in mind is key One of the most popular sink options is stainless steel aside from its durability and sleek look stainless steel also often matches with other kitchen appliances making it an easy option Farmer s sinks have also grown in popularity as their openness and clean look are appealing to many are a great example of form and function It s something you ll use every day and it often acts as a decorative focal point in your kitchen Over the years the technologies in faucets have vastly improved offering a variety of options and price points from standard hot cold handles to motion sensor on off switches there is a lot to consider Start by looking for the appropriate amount of holes there can be anywhere from one standalone hole to 4 or 5 holes depending on accessories

Recessed also known as canned lights are typically used for general overhead lighting They have different trims cans to choose from Certain recessed light caps have an adjustable directional trim that can be used to create lighting focal points on your kitchen walls Track lights are easy to install and can be aimed to illuminate your home s architecture and design The tilt of the lights can be easily changed making this a versatile option There can be as many or as few track lights on a given track as needed This type of fixture can come in any size shape or material Pendant lights add style and elegance to your kitchen Typically these are found over the island sometimes in 2 s or 3 s This type of fixture is famous for lighting an island or eating area as a focal point of the kitchen These often come on a dimmer due to the amount of light it can give off Cabinet lighting is most commonly found inside or underneath the upper cabinets especially if they have glass doors LED light strips are a great option to use For lighting that helps with aging in place consider putting these LED strips under the lower cabinets to illuminate the floors

There are many different options and design choices to consider when remodeling a kitchen that s why it s always best to consult a professional Now that you re familiar with the design choices you ll need to make before getting started what happens next 6 10 weeks without your kitchen is long especially as you get antsy and excited seeing your new kitchen come together towards the end If you re finally ready to get started with your kitchen remodel be sure to keep to use our Surviving a Kitchen Remodel Checklist to keep you and your family happy throughout the process If you have any questions or would like to explore a kitchen remodeling project please email us at kitchens tomcurrencompanies com

1 Create a temporary substitute kitchen in a low traffic area Consider a small fold out table where you can place small appliances such as your microwave hot plate water boiler and coffee maker so you can prepare meals easily This will give you options when it comes to preparing food 2 Pack away items that are rarely used breakables valuables and larger appliances Some things you should keep within easy reach are good knives microwaveable containers a few cups plates and bowls and food storage containers Don t forget to pack your most commonly used spices 3 As much as you will want to avoid dishes altogether during the remodel there will be the inevitable dish or two It s important to designate alternative spots to wash your dishes Consider using your bathtub small bathroom sink or setting up a small bin as a wash area outside 4 Stocking up on paper plates and plastic utensils will help to make your life easier during the project When you do not have water or do not want to deal with messy dishes disposable utensils will offer you the convenience you need Remember to recycle after 5 Sometimes it s just the easiest option to order takeout Use this as a time to try out some new local restaurants A stash of nonperishable snacks will also come in handy when you are starving but are not in a position to cook a full meal

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