Any trend that adds more functional storage to your kitchen or bathroom is a good thing! Say goodbye to fake drawer fronts and wasted corner cabinet space. Instead, say hello to:
Many homeowners opt for open shelving instead of traditional upper cabinets to showcase their beautiful dinnerware. Designers predict this trend will continue for at least a few more years, especially in small kitchens.
Open shelving can complement multiple styles, depending on how it’s executed. For instance, thick, wood-grain shelves with metal detailing are particularly popular in industrial kitchens, while floating white shelves set against shiplap walls are trendy in farmhouse-style kitchens.
Thinking about finally upgrading your kitchen? A successful kitchen remodel includes many steps, from a thoughtful plan and functional layout to solid construction materials, organized storage, and, of course, aesthetics. With so many moving parts, it's important to properly plan your kitchen makeover to ensure you achieve the desired aesthetic and improve the overall efficiency of your space. Flooring America is here to outline our best tips for planning and executing a kitchen remodel that all your friends and family will be talking about!
Before you start any plans, consider your overall kitchen renovation budget. Determining your budget will guide you in how much structural renovations you can accomplish, and help you prioritize product selections, materials used, and more. No matter your budget, your local Flooring America carries exceptionally beautiful and durable kitchen products and renovation services to upgrade your space. With our team on your side, we can find the proper resources to make your dream kitchen a reality!
Structure and function is the most important step in remodeling a kitchen. You must think about how you want the flow of your kitchen to be. Consider where you want your cabinetry, counter space, storage space, appliances, task lighting, and seating to reside. If you want to completely transform your kitchen, you may consider knocking down walls to make the space bigger, or installing a kitchen island for ample workspace and more seating. Talk to one of our experienced designers to strategically plan the optimal flow of your kitchen.
Whether you desire a trendy farmhouse kitchen, a cozy cottagecore style, a sleek minimalist design, or another creative kitchen design, it's important to map out your design goals before your kitchen makeover begins. Research kitchen design ideas, browse our Design Inspiration Blogs, and note any must-have pieces to use as a focal point for the rest of your interior design. Maybe you love the look of wood countertops, a farmhouse sink, a subway tile backsplash, a fancy kitchen island, or have a unique idea for custom cabinetry. When you talk to a designer, explain your desired aesthetic with reference photos to create a unique plan that expresses your personality!
Once you’ve solidified your budget, floor plan, and interior design goals, it’s time to start making product selections. Always keep quality, design, and lifestyle in mind when selecting products for your kitchen remodeling project. For example, busy homes with small children and furry friends are prone to extra stains, spills, and daily mishaps. If this is the case, save yourself the worry and constant cleaning by avoiding white base cabinets. Shop for the following kitchen products with help from your local Flooring America design experts:
When it comes to your kitchen, you need stylish flooring that’s easy to maintain and ultra-durable. After all, the kitchen is one of the most high-traffic rooms in your home. And your floors need to withstand the full brunt of what your family can dish out—from spilled drinks to hyper four-legged companions. With new technologies, there are a few flooring alternatives you may not be considering that could completely change the game. So, when you inevitably drop that sauce-covered spoon, you’ll be thankful you chose a sturdy, wear-resistant floor. Below are a few kitchen flooring options that will do the trick.
Hardwood floors are popular in most areas of the home, and despite not being waterproof, they are still a popular choice for kitchens. With proper maintenance, solid wood flooring can endure many years in your kitchen. That being said, if your kitchen serves as a hub of unpredictable activities and frequent spills, consider engineered wood flooring. Engineered hardwood is composed to resist warping due to moisture, making it an ideal hardwood flooring for your kitchen. With a solid hardwood veneer and sturdy engineered wood core, enjoy a truly beautiful hardwood floor that provides long-lasting, stress-free durability.
If you love the look of hardwood flooring or stone tile flooring for your kitchen but are worried about durability and comfort underfoot, luxury vinyl is an ideal solution. Luxury vinyl floors have a multilayer construction for maximum waterproof performance, so you don't have to worry about any kitchen spills. Additionally, LVP or LVT is easy to maintain, so a simple sweep and mop will do the trick.
You can even install vinyl floors in your living room or dining room to seamlessly transition the flooring in open concept areas to the kitchen. Luxury vinyl planks or tile can give you cohesive, stylish flooring that’s oops-proof and cost-effective.
Laminate is popping up in kitchens all over the country because of its durability and affordability. It comes in a variety of different styles, so you can still get the look you want at almost half the price. If you haven’t looked at laminate lately, it’s come a long way in the past few years. Technology in laminate has made it a water-resistant option perfect for kitchens. Many laminate collections have advanced in visuals making it almost identical to real wood or tile. Additionally, laminate doesn't get cold in the winter like tile can, so you won’t need to layer up your fuzzy socks to stay warm.
Tile has long been the preferred choice for kitchen flooring, and for good reason. It boasts unmatched durability, a wide array of colors and patterns, and is both waterproof and resistant to stains. Two excellent tile options are ceramic and porcelain, both offering versatile styles to match any interior. Natural stone tile, like granite, marble, slate, and travertine, is also worth considering if it fits your budget. These stones are sturdy but demand some maintenance due to their porous nature. If you adore the look of tile but dislike the chilly sensation underfoot, contemplate installing a heating system beneath your tile floor.
The choice of tile color and pattern depends on your desired interior design style. You can opt for a neutral color such as gray or white, or swing a bolder look with more vibrant, colorful, and uniquely shaped tiles. It's important to think about how different tile colors, patterns, shapes, and layouts will complement your kitchen's style. For a traditional appearance, square tiles are a safe choice. However, if you want to add visual intrigue to your flooring, consider diagonal, herringbone, or chevron patterns, especially when using wood-look tile floors.
What’s more, the kitchen is the most expensive room in a home to remodel. Even cosmetic improvements like painting the cabinets and replacing the sink can cost over $5,000. If you’re tearing down the walls and buying new appliances, the price can shoot up to $40,000 or more. (But don’t worry. We’ve covered how to save money on a kitchen remodel.)
Set a budget: Be realistic about what your kitchen remodel might cost you. Any renovation project, but especially a large one, will be more expensive than you plan for.
Set a maximum budget and aim for something lower. Add another 10% or 20% for unplanned expenses. You don’t want to end up with a half-finished kitchen because your budget dried up.
Do your research: Decide and write down what you need and what you can afford. Visit home stores, show rooms and home tours to know price, connect with other remodelers, and get an idea of what other people are doing.
Kitchen RemodelingConsider hidden costs: Certain costs may come up that you do not expect. Some of these include materials, labor, taxes, delivery, and shipping. Take these into account while setting your budget and consider whether there are any tasks you would rather do yourself.
Do aim for quality if possible: Purchase the best quality materials that you can afford. This isn’t just for functionality, longevity, and aesthetic, but resale value. You can also consider used materials that are still high in quality.
Separate your needs from your wants: It can be tempting to buy the latest gadgets and high-tech or fancy appliances. However, depending on what you require, it’s usually better to sick to hardy basics that you are sure you will use.
Pay attention to the kitchen layout: Determine your priorities and decide how they can work within your kitchen. If possible, use the classic kitchen work triangle, wherein the sink, fridge and stove are arranged in a triangular pattern.
Furthermore, consider how many people typically work in your kitchen simultaneously. If it is more than one, you could incorporate another workstation. Additionally, if there is enough space, you could add a custom kitchen island or buy a wheeled cart.
There should be enough room for both working and flow of traffic. If you have an island, there should be a minimum of 42 inches between it and the counters.
For food preparation, there should be at least 36 inches of counter space. For the sink, there should be at least 24 inches on one side and 18 inches on the other.
For food preparation, there should be at least 36 inches of counter space. For the sink, there should be at least 24 inches on one side and 18 inches on the other.
If you’re content with your current cabinets’ location and functionality, there’s no reason to get new ones. Paint them or give them a new finish. Or if you want an airy, fresh look, remove some of the doors for open shelving.
Since your appliances will have a notable impact on the layout, choose them during the early stages of planning. If possible, use an appliance store that will both allow you to buy early and hold onto your purchases until you are ready to install them. This is because appliances go in last.
Too many eye-catching or statement items can confuse the eye, and you or your guests might not know where to look, or even find it overwhelming.
Put S hooks beside the range hood so you can hang frequently used items, such as pots and pans. Furthermore, you can install a shelf behind or beside the range to keep your spices, cooking oils and utensils handy.
If you don’t want to keep lugging pots of water from the sink to the stove, a swing-out tap (also known as a pot filler) will allow you to fill pots near the space where you heat them.
Lay out the tiles before they are stuck in place. This may involve some work, but you’ll be able to see if any tiles are off color, if the design isn’t quite what you imagined it to be, or if it just doesn’t work.
Biophilic design has been on the rise. But you don’t need to turn your kitchen into a jungle. Just one or two elements can add a touch or warmth or freshness. Whether it’s wood, stone, leather, or plants, the choices are all classy and versatile. For example, custom cabinetry and millwork can add warmth to a contemporary or white kitchen.
Your utilities and design choices will have an impact on how much time and money you spend on cleaning. Be wary of things that will gather dirt: open shelves, the garbage area, the place behind the sink, and so on.
That’s why kitchen design and renovation projects are some of the most common projects home-building professionals complete. From small, simple kitchen designs to large, open-concept kitchen-dining rooms, all successful renovations begin the same way: with a kitchen design and layout.