Kitchen Remodeling Advice

Kitchens are truly the center of a home, where wholesome meals are cooked, friends and families gather, and memories are made. That being said, the kitchen deserves your utmost attention, and the professionals at Callen have expert kitchen remodeling advice for you to keep in mind. “Your home’s architectural style, the latest design trends, existing plumbing, the prospective floor plan, and cabinetry hardware play a major role in any kitchen remodel,” said Paulette Sodemann, CKBR, Senior Sales Design Consultant with Callen, Inc. “When each element is thoughtfully explored and executed, it helps create a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also functional, energy-efficient, and seamless.”

Before beginning a kitchen remodel, it’s wise to examine the home’s architectural style. “It’s a cost-effective approach that ensures your new kitchen compliments the overall design of the rest of your home,” said Paulette. “The ultimate goal is to create a kitchen space that is seamless to the surrounding areas, whether you live in a colonial home, a contemporary-style home, or something in between.”

Additionally, you want to stay up to date on the latest kitchen design trends. For instance, cool colors, high-performance countertops, slab backsplashes, colorful tile, steel hoods, and open shelving are popular design options. “Not only will capitalizing on such trends help you update your kitchen space, it will also attract potential homebuyers when it comes time to sell,” she said. Apart from bathrooms, the kitchen is often the most important part of a property for most homebuyers. Plus, new kitchen appliances offer eco-friendly technology, which can improve a home’s energy efficiency.

Another economical option is to leave the kitchen plumbing in its present location. “As long as the layout is sensible, leaving the sink, dishwasher, oven, and stove where they are is a cost-effective option, particularly for older homes,” Paulette said.

Conversely, if the budget allows you to move appliances around, remember to think about the big picture floor plan. “The traffic pattern should be accommodating to your needs and lifestyle but should also follow basic design principles,” she said. For instance, the National Kitchen and Bath Association defines the "work triangle" as an imaginary triangle that connects the sink, cooktop, and refrigerator. The purpose of the work triangle is to achieve the right balance as the cook stations should be relatively close to the cook without feeling confined. “Traffic in the triangle is also minimized to help avoid interruptions when someone is cooking,” Paulette said. “On top of that, if you use the dishwasher regularly, be sure it is situated adjacent to the sink to avoid drippy messes.”

While on the subject of appliances, it’s advised that they match. In other words, stick to the same color (or finish) and brand throughout the kitchen space. “Not only do most manufacturers offer kitchen packages on appliances, but it also helps to achieve a balanced, uniform look,” she said.

New cabinet hardware is a simple, yet effective kitchen design element because the right hardware can help complete the entire space. “There are an array of colors and materials to choose from, so it’s best to refer to your home’s architecture when deciding on a specific hardware style,” said Paulette.

Playing off your home's architectural style while incorporating trendy kitchen designs helps ensure the space looks updated while complimenting the rest of the home. “Simply put, these individual kitchen design elements work together to help create the perfect kitchen space for you and your family,” Paulette said.

For more kitchen remodeling advice, contact us.