Tag: kitchen renovations

Kitchen Remodeling: How to Create an Open Kitchen Layout

kitchen remodel, kitchen renovation, kitchen design, remodel kitchen, kitchen remodel cost, kitchen cabinet design, small kitchen remodel, kitchen designer, kitchen makeovers, kitchen renovation cost, cost of kitchen remodel, new kitchen cabinets, kitchen cabinet refacing, cost of kitchen cabinets, small kitchen renovations, remodel kitchen cost, custom kitchens, best kitchen designs, new kitchen designs, home kitchen design, remodeling a kitchen, custom kitchen cabinets,kitchen contractors, refacing kitchen cabinets, renovate kitchen, kitchen redesign, kitchen layouts, designer kitchens, kitchen renos, cost of kitchen renovationOpen kitchen layouts are extremely popular today. Many people use their homes for entertaining or during the holidays and family gatherings. It creates an environment that is more welcoming and communal, and as an added bonus it creates the illusion of more space!

If you’re remodeling your home and want to create and open kitchen floor plan, there are several ways that you can go about it. Not every option works well for every kitchen.

Here are remodeling steps that you might want to consider if you desire an open floor plan.

  • Wall removal: Removing a wall if a great place to start. It immediately creates open space. If considering wall removal, you will need to consult with your contractor to make sure it is even possible. Your contractor will need to determine if the wall is load bearing, or concealing important electrical/plumbing/HVAC components. In some cases the cost to move structural elements may be too costly and not make sense in the scope of the project.
  • Remove Upper Cabinets & Peninsula: Upper cabinets above a peninsula are dated. Although this design is great for storage space, it does not present an open environment. This design simulates a solid wall and give the impression of a smaller space. Removing the upper cabinets extends the line of sight and give the room a larger feel.
  • Eliminate Soffits: Soffits in the kitchen make the ceiling look lower, and makes the room feel smaller than it really is. If your budget allows, remove the soffits and install cabinets that go to the ceiling to give your kitchen added space.
  • Add Natural Light: Adding natural light will create openness within the room. Removing a wall or upper cabinets can provide more natural light to enter your kitchen. Adding an additional window, widening an existing window, or installing a skylight is another way to add more natural light to your kitchen during the remodeling stages.

kitchen remodel, kitchen renovation, kitchen design, remodel kitchen, kitchen remodel cost, kitchen cabinet design, small kitchen remodel, kitchen designer, kitchen makeovers, kitchen renovation cost, cost of kitchen remodel, new kitchen cabinets, kitchen cabinet refacing, cost of kitchen cabinets, small kitchen renovations, remodel kitchen cost, custom kitchens, best kitchen designs, new kitchen designs, home kitchen design, remodeling a kitchen, custom kitchen cabinets,kitchen contractors, refacing kitchen cabinets, renovate kitchen, kitchen redesign, kitchen layouts, designer kitchens, kitchen renos, cost of kitchen renovationGet The Experts Advice

Although we have outlined a few options that can increase natural light to your kitchen, we strongly advise you consulting with your contractor. At ABF Remodeling, our design team will assess your current kitchen and review potential design options that will create an open design. Our designers will then be better able to gauge exactly what needs to be done and how much it will cost to get your open kitchen.

 

10 Ways to Save Money on Your Kitchen Remodel

The average kitchen renovation runs between about $20,000-$50,000, depending on how serious an overhaul it is. But you really can get more bang for less buck if you take down a few tips from the experts on ways to save money during a kitchen remodel.

Have a Grand Plan

If you’re doing more than just painting the cabinets or replacing the countertops during your kitchen remodel, don’t try to save money out of the gate by not hiring a professional to create a design plan. “Hiring a designer saves you time and money in the long run, so you don’t make expensive errors,” says south Florida-based designer Meredith Marlow.

Be Prepared Before You Start

After coming up with a plan for your kitchen remodel, decide on absolutely everything you want in the kitchen, and have it on-site before a single inch of space sees the sledgehammer.  One of the factors that sends a budget spiraling out of control is a homeowner picking products during the renovation. If a product is backordered, the homeowner is often faced with a choice: pick a different item that is often pricier, or wait for their original choice, when their trades people may have other jobs scheduled and the homeowner may be charged extra for the work

Bright White Can Hide Outdated Cabinet Design

One of the biggest expenses in any kitchen renovation is new cabinets. If yours are in good shape, though, consider keeping them and just giving them a new look. A great solution to preserving your cabinets, but updaing the look is going bright white when painting cabinets in a kitchen remodel. White paint does wonders for outdated cabinets and can save you money. We recommend washing, then priming and painting cabinets with high-quality white semi-gloss. Adding new hardware will enhance the bright white effect.

Doors Conceal Outdated Cabinets

If your cabinets are too outdated to be salvaged even by the snazziest coat of paint, consider if they could be spruced up with some new doors. If the structure is sound, you don’t have to toss out the whole cabinet: just get good measurements and find a style of door you like. We offer cabinet refacing and have decades of experience. It’s a whole new look for a fraction of the price.

Cut Corners, Literally

Your backsplash may technically be functional and keep food and oils off the walls behind the stove, but let’s be honest: in a kitchen renovation, the backsplash is a style leader. It can be a cost driver, as well. Rather than turning the corners with your backsplash and carrying it all along the kitchen wall, just finish the tile where the walls meet. That ensures you have the tile where it’s most visually and functionally important. Then you can budget for some really mind-blowing tile in the area behind the sink or stove, and go budget in the other areas around it

Light It Up

Bringing in more and better lighting is a smart move in any renovation, but that’s especially true in the kitchen. Hang well-designed pendants for style and light, and make sure overhead lighting is bright and concentrated in areas where the cook will be working. Don’t forget the details: adding under-cabinet lighting won’t bust your budget but will make a big impact.

Keep Plumbing Where It Is

Another reason to work with a designer on your kitchen renovation: using the existing piping and utility layout will save you big bucks. It costs about $5,000 on average each time you move appliances like a dishwasher, sink or a gas stove.

They’ll Never Know It’s Remnant Stone

Granite and solid-surface counters don’t have to break your bank: We can go to granite supply yards and check out their remnants. Especially if you don’t have huge swaths of countertop to cover, you may find yourself a very good deal.

You Paid for It … Use It!

Don’t let the end pieces and remnants of your own materials go to waste either. The average project wastes between 5-15% of its material. If you’re conscientious, however, you can create high-end features like cutting boards from granite pieces or rollout inserts in cabinets from leftover lumber from cabinets, moldings and countertops.

Add Architectural Interest

You can get a high-end look with impact details small and large: try adding bun feet to free-standing cabinetry to give it a furniture-feel, or add some beadboard paneling to spruce up an island. Or you can get really creative with a focal point that is less expensive than mosaic tile but packs a big punch, like stacked stone on the back of your kitchen island.