Benefits of Renovating Your Kitchen and Bathroom Simultaneously

Get kitchen remodel before and after ideas to help you transform your kitchen and imagine what the space could look like with a few careful renovations or updates. These fixes can be standalone renovations or part of a larger plan to transform the space and solve any issues with your current kitchen. If your existing kitchen design or layout is a hindrance, consider making these remodeling changes to update your space and start using your kitchen the right way. Speak to an experienced designer to help guide changes in your kitchen and create a space that flows and functions perfectly. Kitchen design requires careful thought and planning to create a space that flows and functions in coherence with the rest of the home. Small Kitchen Small kitchens cost less to maintain and offer simplicity and convenience; however, they may also be lacking in the features and space of a traditional kitchen. If you need to make better use of your small kitchen, consider some of the following options: Open the kitchen up by tearing down walls Add a half wall cutout or window Downsizing oversize appliances Changing the existing kitchen footprint Add a peninsula to increase counterspace and seating A small kitchen’s layout can really make a difference in how you use the space, and a cluttered or crowded kitchen can feel even smaller than it really is. Remove any excess and declutter, then optimize the layout of appliances and ensure plenty of off-countertop storage. Wherever possible, combine functionality and increase hidden storage to ensure countertops are free of clutter and the space looks larger than it is. Use light colored paint and ensure plenty of lights thought the space to keep it from looking dark or even smaller than it truly is.   Closed-In Kitchen A closed in kitchen typically only has a door in and out, separating it from the rest of the living and dining space in the home. Closed-in kitchens are not just limited to small kitchens, either. Plenty of homes with large kitchens are separated from the formal dining or living space due to the time period they were built and the design concepts of the time. In order to open your kitchen up to the living and dining room areas, remove any non-load bearing walls to create an open concept layout. If knocking down walls and creating half wall cutouts are not an option for your kitchen, either due to structure or budget, there are other options. In order to make the kitchen feel more open, add more overhead and ambient light. Often a kitchen can feel closed in when really the space is simply too dark. No Preparation Space One of the most common kitchen problems is a lack of food preparation space, and crowded elbows when too many people are trying to work in the kitchen together. To create more space for preparing meals, chopping vegetables, doing homework, drying dishes, baking, mixing, and any other kitchen related task, add more countertop space. A few popular countertop options are: Quartz– This type of natural stone requires less upkeep than other stones. Quartz is extremely durable, easy to clean, and comes in a huge variety of colors and styles and may cost less than other types of countertops. Granite–This stone is versatile and maintains its look for decades. It has a middling durability between quartz and marble. Granite offers deep hues and tones for a rich color that many homeowners desire for their kitchens. Marble– This stone is the softest of the three, but it has a stunning look that is prized in many luxury kitchens, among other stone uses. Marble is renowned for its white and gray/black pattern than leaves a kitchen looking elegant, whether the design is modern or traditional. Whether you need to replace existing countertops with a more durable and longer counter or feel like a kitchen island would help with your existing space constraints, more countertop space will solve your problem and ensure your kitchen looks and functions amazingly. If there is not enough space for either addition, then you might consider adding a small rolling cart for counterspace or a portable island. If you do not have the space or the ability to add more countertops, it may be a sign that the kitchen is too small and needs to be opened up or expanded out. Lack of Light For a dim kitchen that lacks light, create a brighter space with updated LED lights in a variety of styles or bring a bit of nature inside with windows or French doors. Here are some of the popular options for kitchen lighting: Hanging Pendant Lights Inset Ceiling Lights Under Cabinet Lights White, Blue, & Yellow toned LED’s There are so many different lighting options to brighten your kitchen and a designer can help you create a lighting plan that brightens the space without being overwhelming or raising your energy bill. If you are really looking to brighten up the space, you might even consider adding a window cutout to the outside or French doors to a patio or yard space. If opening the kitchen up is not an option, something as simple as repainting with white or brightly colored paint can also help light up the space. Not Enough Storage The most common complaint that homeowners have about their kitchens is a lack of adequate storage space. If your cabinets drawers are stuffed full, cabinets are crowded with items, and your countertops are cluttered with appliances and regularly used items, then creating additional storage space is a must. If you do not have any existing overhead cabinets, adding some will provide much needed storage and pull the kitchen design together. For small or outdated cabinets, replace your existing cabinets with larger cabinets that offer more storage and functionality. Get cabinet drawer inserts and dividers to make full use of the existing kitchen storage space and add shelves to walls for displaying attractive plate ware, plants, mugs and more. You may also want to add

Smaller kitchens save space in your home, are more affordable to renovate, maintain, and clean, and offer efficient use of the space you do have. If you are a frequent cook or spend a lot of time in the kitchen, being confined to a small space can take its toll. Whether you’ve found your dream home and the kitchen is on the small side and lacking, or you’re tired of your current small kitchen, we’ve come up with a few small kitchen remodeling ideas and tips to help you maximize space and enjoy your kitchen more. Open It Up Open the kitchen up to the rest of the home. While you may not be able to knock down walls, there are a few simple things you can do to make the kitchen feel more accessible. If possible, carve out a half wall or window space to look out into another room. BE mindful about leaving object on the floor or obstructing the walkway. Closed in kitchens seem smaller and feel like a box–especially those with only one doorway. Turn a square, penned-in kitchen into an open space by knocking down a non-load bearing wall. Once the kitchen is opened up, it will look and feel larger even if it has the same square footage as before. A kitchen designer and remodeler can help you safely remove a wall or a portion of a wall to open up your small kitchen. Update Old Finishes Small Kitchen Many kitchens look small because their cabinets and appliances are bulky and cramped or out of date. You don’t have to change any aspect of the floorplan to gain space, simply swap out outdated appliances and materials for modern, streamlined options. Choose a taller, thinner refrigerator, if possible. Select a half oven as opposed to a full one. Opt for cabinets that are flush against other appliances. Take the time to pare down the appliances and objects you don’t use as frequently and prioritize space. Add Vertical Storage Additional overhead cabinets and shelving add storage space and draw the eye up to the vertical area of the kitchen. Neatly hang utensils, pots, and pans to add flair and utilize adaptive storage, but be careful with how many items are stored openly on overhead shelves. Too many items hanging and stacked out in the open can make a kitchen appear cluttered. Open storage looks great when everything is evenly spaced, and only a few items are on display. You may even find that you enjoy showing off your favorite dishes or prized cookware. Get Adequate Lighting A dark kitchen tends to look smaller, since less of the space is illuminated and can’t be viewed. To make a small kitchen feel larger and less claustrophobic, lighting is key. Add brighter overhead lighting in addition to under cabinet ambient lighting. More lighting that compliments the kitchen will make the space feel larger and more modern. Consider overhead track lighting with multiple bulbs in a decorative piece, along with under cabinet ambient lights that add style to the whole house. Open large windows, or see if it’s feasible to create a window cutout in the kitchen to bring in more natural light. Use Lighter Colors Paint the kitchen white or in light colors to make the space appear larger and brighter. White upper cabinets are also a great way to accomplish this brightening effect and allow you to take advantage of all the space your current kitchen has to offer. While you don’t have to go white on every element of design, do stick to lighter colors, such as lighter blues, grays, beige, and other neutral tones. Dark kitchens also tend to look older, so try to stay away from dark wood cabinets and dark colors on the wall. It’s fine to mix it up, but keep some light colors or accents in the kitchen to make it a brighter space that doesn’t appear smaller than it actually is. Install An Island Everyone loves a good kitchen island–if you have the space for it. If your kitchen is situated all along one wall, an island might be a good way to get more counterspace and create visual appeal. However, this redesign only works if the kitchen is already semi-open to another room and not closed in. Add an island to extend the kitchen out into the living or dining space. Island bar seating also allows you to turn a small kitchen into a combination kitchen and dining room. The island acts as a multi-functional workstation, extra storage space, and can also provide seating with the addition of a few bar stools. Get Smart With Storage Small Kitchen Up your storage game by storing items in cute baskets on top of cabinets, investing in cabinet and drawer inserts, and using all available vertical space to keep items off the countertop and floor. Additional storage makes the kitchen look neater and larger, since less clutter on countertops gives the illusion of more space. Here are some easy storage tips: Store items in boxes on top of cabinets Add drawer inserts to maximize space Keep clutter off countertops with jars Add extra cabinet shelves to utilize vertical space Add wall shelves to store attractive dishes or cookware If you don’t and won’t use something, get rid of it Opt For A Peninsula For those with a kitchen too small or oddly situated for a kitchen island to work, consider the advantages of a peninsula instead. The sought-after kitchen island is great, if you have the space. For small kitchens that don’t open to a living or dining room, use a countertop bar area for both kitchen prep and seating and dining. A peninsula is typically slimmer than a kitchen island and offers more versatility. With a peninsula, you can use the counter space for food prep, utilize the other side of the counter space for seating and eating, increase cabinet storage, and are usually able to keep the same kitchen footprint. Keep It Simple Small Kitchen Don’t attempt to pack everything into a small space. A tiny kitchen can have multi-functionality, but it can’t be a jack-of-all-trades. Don’t try to install full sized appliances, large cabinets, an island, and more items into an already condensed or cramped space. Make changes that simplify the kitchen and allow you to do more with less. Consider purchasing appliances that have multiple functions or are smaller versions of typical appliances, such as a toaster oven. If you need more storage and a dishwasher isn’t essential, skip it in favor of cabinets or other appliances. If you aren’t sure how to design your kitchen, try getting inspirations from other kitchen designs or visualizer tools. Get Expert Help Do you want to update your small kitchen to add functionality and increase space? Avoid making mistakes with the most important