Kitchen Remodel Decisions

At Clovis Plumbing Services, we see many different kitchen trends, and as such we know how easy it is to be distracted by the modern designs on Pinterest and the likes, only to get sick of it after a few years.

However, there's a high chance your present kitchen will be remodeled just once. Besides, the National Association of REALTORS® "Remodeling Impact Report" puts the national average cost of a full kitchen remodel at $60,000.

With this much money at stake, you want to get it all right. And by doing so you could eventually recover around 62% of your asset if you put it on sale.

So here we're going to protect you from future sorrow by giving you 7 classic kitchen features which are sure to retain their value, beauty, and marketability – while at the same time offering long lasting satisfaction.

Kitchen Remodel Decisions #1: White is the Dominant Color

Bottom line: The most marketable color simply never gets outdated. It can always be found top of the list of the annual survey of the most famous kitchen colors by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

• All through history, it's been linked with purity (think Snow White), happiness, and fresh starts.
• It's a bright color which is great with lighting and gives a large kitchen feeling.
• It's an old maid's dream — no place for dirt to accumulate.

And what's more, it's super-friendly to both your taste and budget. It has become the standard for any manufacturer, and you'll find it on tiles, cabinets, faucets, sinks, counters, and appliances ranging from any price.

A white backdrop also means you can be as expressive or conservative as possible. In the end, it's for your satisfaction, and not just about money spent. For instance:

• Add colored glass knobs and pulls as a personal touch.
• Display antique Fiesta ware in upper cabinets with glass doors or on open shelves.
• Paint walls with trending colors — even off-white!

With a white palette you can easily decide differently on paint color. Those fundamental all-whites will make any shade of your preferred color look fresh and modern.

Kitchen Remodel Decisions #2: Hardwood for Flooring

We have been in love with hardwood floors over the years, ever since it was mass-produced during the period of the Industrial Revolution, enabling readily available and affordable flooring.

These days, more than 50% of homeowners whose homes are without hardwood floors claim they would easily have paid an additional $2,080 to have them, as stated in the National Association of REALTORS® "Home Features Survey."

Also, more than 80% of buyers of any age say it is “somewhat” or “very” important to have hardwood floors.

Owner of Kitchen Expressions Inc. in Sheffield, Alabama and NKBA treasurer, Debe Robinson who has experience in the flooring industry says “It's one feature both women and men agree on.”

Why? We have a natural love for wood, its warmth and attributes gives our homes a welcoming and comfortable feeling. It's for this reason that it fits properly with any style of kitchen – whether sleek modern or casual cottage, or even the most traditional kitchen style.

There are other reasons why hardwood flooring is such a great option, including:

It's ideal for open floor plans. Hardwood flows nicely from the kitchen into neighboring rooms.

It's tough. Woods like ash, oak, and maple will ease the effects of high traffic in your kitchen over a long time. You can refinish solid hardwood flooring up to 12 times during its normal lifespan of 100 years.

It's environmentally friendly. When gotten from forests which are sustainably managed and Forest Stewardship Council certified, hardwood can be considered an eco-friendly building material.

Kitchen Remodel Decisions #3: Shaker Style for Cabinets

We forever love the Shakers – whose simple, clean lines will always remain in vogue.

A lasting American style legacy, Shaker cabinets – like hardwood flooring – can fit nicely in just about any setting. With their easy going panel-and-frame design they help to decongest the kitchen, making it into a relaxing and friendly place.

Former president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, Alan Zielinski says “A timeless kitchen should have its cabinets as a part of the backdrop. You want to be in control, looking for simple, clean, plain lines.”

A transitional style – comprising a beautiful combination of modern and traditional styles – will make do with simple, clean, plain lines.

Actually, the National Kitchen and Bath Association has said that after closely following traditional style for many years, transitional has now become the most famous kitchen style.

As families become more varied, it would only make transitional style more and more famous. Where the old meets the new, as in Shaker-type cabinets, it allows us to customize and infuse cultural influences – Asian, Latin, Middle Eastern – into our houses.

Kitchen Remodel Decisions #4: Carrara Marble for Countertops

Carrara marble has been in homes over many thousand years as a timeless classic. “David” by Michelangelo was made from Carrara, and it'll still look great in the next thousand years as it does now.

Here's why:

• Carrara's fine white colors and lacy graining look incredible in a white kitchen (or any kitchen really).
• Its whiteness is unmatched compared to other natural stones.
• It's readily available, and as such cheaper than other high-end options, like quartz.
• It'll last forever.

If you search for it on Google, you'll find there's much fuss about it (marble generally) because it easily gets stained. But for a truly timeless style, the answer is Carrara.

And with recent sealants, the issue of stains is nearly unlikely if you reseal at least once a year.

Are you still in doubt? Or your budget is not enough? You can make do with relatively cheaper laminate countertops, which can be upgraded to stone at any point in time.

Kitchen Remodel Decisions #5: Subway Tile for the Backsplash

Subway tile is as old as the 1900s, as it was used in the first subway tunnels in New York. Classic subway tiles (3x6 inches, white rectangles) gained popularity in American baths and kitchens, and have been around ever since.

At present, it's a strong part of American design, always staying in style.

Ceramic tiles in the kitchen are perfect for a backsplash as they prevent moisture, clean easily, last long, and maintain a classy look.

A backsplash can surely be a chance for a show of pattern and color, but neutral styles will always be a trend and fit perfectly anywhere. And also, a marble countertop and backsplash of subway tiles fit nicely and last a lifetime.

You can make it last even longer by making it achromatic and disguise dirt with beige or gray grout.

Kitchen Remodel Decisions #6: Ergonomic Design

Universal design and adaptable features makes living at home easy at any age. The American Institute of Architects' recent kitchens survey indicates an increasing popularity of kitchens with smart ergonomic designs, meaning that kitchens will forever adapt.

By smart ergonomics, we mean convenience – for old or young, homebodies or party people – an essential factor during kitchen renovation which will enhance its function, preserve its value, and be satisfactory.

Regardless of the present or future needs of yourself or your buyer, it's a win-win with these approaches:

Create countertops with different height. While standard height is 36 inches, you can increase or reduce the cabinet sections by adjusting the base height.

Add same-color shim strips to countertop bases which don't have any appliances or sinks. They can easily be removed or adjusted accordingly.

Use a cooktop or wall oven rather than a regular range. The height of ranges cannot be adjusted as they are fixed. You just have to bend in order to have access to the oven. But with a wall oven, you can have it conveniently at waist level.

Fit base cabinets with pull-out shelves. Doors-fitted lower cabinets make it difficult to for you to access the insides. With pull-out shelves, you can have easy access to everything.

Keep wide clearances. People are often attracted to kitchens. Open floor plans means you can have people looking for snacks, or helping to cook, or even just hanging out as you prepare meals.

You can effectively maintain traffic with at least 42 inches between islands and counters.

Kitchen Remodel Decisions #7: Smart Storage

In today's households, about 47% of kitchen items are stored outside of the kitchen – in basements, laundry rooms, and even sheds – according to data captured at the Bath and Kitchen Show, 2013.

We attribute it to the fact that kitchens have long moved from being just a dormant area behind the house to becoming a multi-tasking area for multiple chefs and a powerhouse for the home.

According to kitchen designs professional, Robinson, open kitchens and warehouse store stock ups means more items and less wall space.

Smart storage is the solution. Manufacturers of cabinets have provided nearly unlimited options for storage, including compartments and shelves that turn, extend, unfold, and slide.

In any case, storage itself may not be enough, but a smart storage design. The following guidelines will get you timeless storage:

Create an area for primary storage. This area should be about 30-60 inches high and 2 feet on either body side, and should house your frequently used items – work knives, cooking salt and pepper, measuring cups, trusty pans and pots.

You can easily get your most used items with one simple movement.

Plan for the unexpected. A really timeless kitchen must anticipate and adapt to future requirements, including:

• A space which can easily be converted to an office, a closet, or wine storage.
• Lower cabinet spaces enough to accommodate an under-counter refrigerator, a wine cooler, another dishwasher, or a new must-have kitchen appliance as time goes on. (Microwaves didn't always exist, you know!)
• An open space which can fit a beloved antique or freestanding desk in order to personalize the kitchen — regardless of whose home it is.

Please read our DIY Kitchen Remodel next!