The second segment in our four part series is all about the kitchen. When talking with new clients about a possible remodel, we always recommend dedicating a substantial portion of their budget to remodeling the kitchen. It is, without a doubt, the most important room in any house! Why? A kitchen remodel is not only a great way to add aesthetic value, it also immediately increases the actual value of your home.
In the San Diego real estate market, homeowners could see a return on investment of 150% or more for just a minor kitchen remodel. It’s money well spent if you’re looking to make a bold statement in your home this year! So, where do you start? If you’re like most people, you have a million ideas (thanks pinterest), and a few front-runners in your head for “Dream Kitchen.” Now, it’s just down to choosing a layout and selecting finishes, right? Well, not exactly..
We HIGHLY recommend hiring a designer to help you with this important and surprisingly complicated task. There are lots of moving parts to a kitchen remodel, and clients who go it alone are often devastated when their brand new custom cabinetry can’t be installed, because their measurements were off by an inch. It happens a lot more than you’d think! And while hiring a designer may not be cheap, it can save you thousands in avoidable mistakes.
Once you and your designer have agreed on a layout for your new kitchen, it’s time to start selecting cabinetry and finishes. We tend to favor a more modern minimalist look in the kitchen, using European style cabinets with very little moulding or trim. No ornate scrolly, rolley legs or faux panels here! A natural wood species, such as Walnut, or a bold lacquered paint look stunning in a modern kitchen! We often recommend selecting different materials for upper and lower cabinets. It helps to curb any feelings of monotony, especially in a larger space with more cabinetry.
We like to contrast with lighter tones on the counter tops and backsplash. It just makes the kitchen feel clean and spacious. Speaking of counter tops, we are crazy about Quartz! If you haven’t already, please read our previous blog post Kitchen Trend: 10 Reasons to Choose Quartz over Granite for the complete scoop on Quartz. Granite is over.. trust us!
Lastly, we recommend updating your appliances. All of the big brands have incorporated the newest technology into their kitchen appliances. Which means, in a few years, having the newest smart fridge will be as posh as having the most recent model iPhone. Do you really want to be the one house on the block without a WiFi-enabled touchscreen on your fridge? What will the neighbors think?
Here’s to a fresh start in 2019 – Happy Remodeling!
