The Right Kitchen Renovations to Increase Your Homes Value
Kitchens are one of the main selling features of a home. This is where all the action happens and family and friends join in for great meals, talks, fun and more! This is exactly why choosing the right kind of kitchen upgrades during a renovation or new build is key!
THE APPLIANCES
The main goals in a kitchen renovation should always be to bring great functionality of the space while adding bright warm lighting and a spaciously comforting feeling of breathtaking excitement. One way to grab this feeling is in choosing the right appliances as there are many to choose from out there today. Here at Togo Custom Homes we recommend the Energy Star rating ranges, refrigerators, cooktops, microwaves, dishwashers and more all in the stainless steel finish. Brands such as GE®, KitchenAid® and Jenn-Air® are a few top choices to consider.
LIGHT FIXTURES
Light fixtures in any space draw you in if done right creating an environment you’ll want to spend time in. A kitchen should always be just that, an inviting space! Kitchen lighting should be practical and sensible. Many times people tend to decide the kitchen lighting last, yet planning ahead will save you time and money in the long run. If you are remodeling an existing kitchen you will want to upgrade all existing wiring if outdated and install new wiring for additional lighting based on your floor plan. Upgrading electrical throughout the space for appliances, etc. is also important. Many people do not do this and they’re kicking themselves afterwords, so don’t forget this point!
Lighting is definitely important and here at Togo Custom Homes we recommend that you utilize pendant lights above the sink and island spaces, under cabinet lightings under the counter and to the front. This will give you a perfect visual when preparing your food and it creates a great ambiance in the room. Lastly, adding recessed lighting on the ceiling as the main source of lighting is critical! Too many kitchen owners we first meet when looking at a job complain about their existing single fan with four bulb lighting and how it doesn’t offer ample lighting throughout their room.
COUNTERTOPS
There are several options today for countertops. Granite, quartz, formica and concrete have many color choices to choose from. When choosing a countertop you will want to pull all of the colors from cabinetry to flooring to paint colors in the actual top color selection. Always remember you are looking for bright, vibrant, neutral colors that can last the test of time. Stay away from anything dark and dreary for it will make your room look smaller than what it is and you will most-likely get bored with it in the long run. Utilize all of the natural lighting from windows and tie this in with great recessed lighting and pendant lights. Brightening up a kitchen area, where we spend a great deal of time is something you will thank yourself for year after year.
CABINETS
FLOORING
Flooring can isn’t as complicated as some make it. In fact, one should map out what is the most important to them…durability should be first on the list! If you have pets, have high traffic flow or if you simply don’t have the time to worry about your flooring each time some major event in the home takes place, you will want to look at ceramic or porcelain tile, laminate flooring, plank vinyl flooring, or even carpeting. Obviously depending where in your home you are focusing on the flooring you will want to be sure moisture isn’t a problem. Front door entry areas or basements ceramic tile with a floor mat works best rather than wood so those wet shoes and dripping rain coats don’t destroy the floor. Bottomline when planning map out what you have to have based on your lifestyle and how you use your home, then simply contact a local flooring company and tell them your needs. With this professional help you will be able to narrow down the best choices for your situation, walk into a showroom and then begin to narrow down your color choices that will flow best throughout your home. Don’t get overwhelmed just get smart and prepare your focus ahead of time. It will save you headaches and help you to zone in on what will make your home finishing design shine!
