Kitchen Renovations Depend On Your Lifestyle, Say Experts

You’ve probably seen it at every party you have ever attended. The host greets the guests at the door and either seats them in the living room, den, or patio. It’s where most of America’s entertaining is focused. 

But slowly, almost imperceptibly, the guests begin to drift away from the first location. Perhaps it’s mankind’s nature to explore, or maybe it’s the enticing aromas that trigger something in the primal brain. 

Whatever the cause, most guests will soon wind up in one location – the kitchen. 

Long considered the heart of the house, today’s kitchens serve as more than mere food preparation areas. They are designed with socializing and cooking performance in mind, allowing the chef to participate in party activities while dazzling the guests with their culinary flair. It is the place where memories are made, friends are toasted, and families come together to enjoy much of what makes life good. 

Thanks to architecture’s trend toward open floor plans, the biggest trend in home design is that the kitchen is now part of the entertaining areas of the house. Thanks to the influence of popular home networks like HGTV, social media like Pinterest, and numerous blogs devoted to architecture, new kitchen designs are stepping out of the comfort zone and becoming fully integrated with everything else a home has to offer. 

Such an important focal point of the house deserves to be kept in top shape. It’s said that bathrooms and kitchens help maintain or increase the value of any sale. If the appliances are dated, the cabinets worn, and the counter-tops made of some material last seen in a 1950s science fiction movie, buyer ardor cools as they contemplate the additional costs that will bring your kitchen into the 21st century. Thus, it’s important for homeowners to maintain and improve this important part of the home, not only for resale value, but to enhance their current living situation.

ASK THE EXPERTS

If you’re thinking of updating your kitchen, the first thing to do is sit down and talk with a professional designer or archietct. Not only will that save you time and money, but it may inspire new ideas on what’s possible for your living space.

Debbie Kowalski, the co-owner of Modern Lighting in Temple City, recommends early planning on the appliances that will go into your new kitchen. “Get a knowledgeable contractor or designer so that all the appliances are specified early,” says Kowalski. “Then the kitchen layout and cabinet details will fit properly.”  

Even if some of the appliances already in place are in good shape, newer models are more energy efficient and can save money in the long run. Plus, “Often the utility companies or state will offer rebates to help offset some of the cost,” Kowalski says.

And, of course, Kowalski is an advocate for good lighting in any kitchen redesign. “LED lighting is a must. It’s important to get the correct color temperature when using LED. The benefits are amazing. Not only will one get great light distribution, but also save in energy usage. And because there is no heat, even air conditioning costs are saved.”

The kitchen is so much a part of modern living that many homes are creating secondary working kitchens. “This is a great idea,” Kowalski says. “First, all the mess is out of sight. And because of open floor plans, the kitchen has become part of the entertaining areas of the home. They are beautiful, warm and welcoming.” 

Kim Gould, the showroom manager at Saxum Tile and Design in Pasadena, says the trend toward open floor plans is now causing many people to extend their kitchens into the living space and make them cohesive. “There are many exciting floor options to choose from that may be used in a living room and a kitchen, such as porcelain planks made to look like wood floors,”  Gould says. “These offer the warm colors of wood, but give you the practicality and minimal maintenance of porcelain.”

In the Pasadena area, homeowners want classic designs presented in a fresh way, Gould says. “We at Saxum are working with our tile manufacturers to step up to that challenge.”

The type of kitchen that is best for you depends on your lifestyle. “Parents of young children, in particular, voice their concern with the maintenance and durability of materials more than others,” says Gould.

Riding to the rescue on that concern is innovation by the tile industry. “The industry has presented many products that mimic those that are known to require continuous care. It is amazing how we are able to fabricate products that overall give the same luxury effect of marble, but relieve any concerns over being too porous or fragile.”

KEEP IN MIND

 Finally, there are several classic features of good kitchen design that homeowners should keep in mind if they are contemplating a change. 

1.  Don’t Be Afraid of Color – While white continues to be the perennial favorite for cabinet colors, gray is the new white to many designers. And a stark combination of black and white is favored by those seeking a sleek, modern look. Soft grey with stained wood makes a nice accent. And many sinks and cookwares are now coming in splashy colors, so keep that in mind when envisioning your space. 
2. Think natural – Counter-tops in marble or granite may be expensive, but anything less will risk making a less than favorable impression.  Cement and tile are coming up fast in the popularity meters. 
3. Storage – You can never have enough places to put the pots, pans, utensils and dinnerware. Multi-tiered shelvig and cabinets are popular, and easy pantry access is also considered a key feature for the modern kitchen. 
4. Countertops are key – The key to a kitchen’s look and style. While natural stone, quartz and wood continue to be popular, keep in mind that many laminates can mimic the look at a lower cost and provide durability.
5. Don’t scrimp on the sink – It’s an important functional piece of the kitche, but it’s also a style setter. Sinks now come in a variety of colors and can be cast-iron or stainless steel.
6. Make it work – Kitchens have always been organized around the work triangle, the axis between range, sink and refrigerator. Make sure you and your assistants can comfortably navigate this distance, and have the kitchen designed so that guests don’t have to pass through the work triangle when you’re carrying a heavy pot of hot water. 

While kitchen renovation can be pricey, the return on investment and enjoyment is always huge, particularly when there’s a party at your place. Just make sure to talk to a professional before embarking on your project. “I think TV makes it look easier than it actually is,” says Modern Lighting’s Kowalski. “but the good part is that consumers see that it can be done.”