Are you looking for a custom kitchen design? A kitchen is a place where families connect and spend time together. The team here at Cavalier Builders can give you the room you want. Our team of professionals provides kitchen remodeling project advice to Los Angeles homeowners.
Planning Your Kitchen Upgrade
Before you upgrade your kitchen, you will need to think through many different aspects. Our Los Angeles-based team of kitchen remodeling and renovation experts are here to catch your vision and turn it into a reality. Some of the things we’ll need to discuss include:
- Appliances and the best place to put them
- Additional cabinets and drawers
- Countertop space
- Storage space
- The right lighting
- Overall style
You don’t have to feel overwhelmed when you’re planning your kitchen remodel. Whether you want a modern kitchen, a vintage kitchen, or something else, we can help. We’ll work with you to develop a well-laid-out kitchen that is easy to get around in.
What to Consider Before A Kitchen Remodel
Planning is key when it comes to your kitchen remodel. Whether you have a small kitchen or a large space, planning can reduce your time and your total cost. If you’re planning on updating your entire kitchen, or just an area, here are a few things to consider before you get started on your dream kitchen.
Consider the Cost
Your budget is a primary factor in how you plan your kitchen project. Take time to study your space, consider your layout, and think about what updates you want to make that are within budget. You can simply add a new coat of paint or some new hardware to freshen up the space. This is also a good time to decide if you’ll handle the project on your own, or hire a professional contractor.
Evaluate Your Layout
Working with your kitchen layout can save you time and money with your remodel. Keeping your current layout doesn’t mean you can’t add some new cabinetry or shelves. Think about what you want to do and whether you want to change the design or work around it.
While it’s tempting to redesign your entire kitchen, making simple changes can help you stay within your budget. New appliances or cabinets are a simple start to your remodel.
Think About New Additions
When it’s time to create a fresh look and update your kitchen design, think about any new additions you want in your space. Consider the surface area, whether you want to add a new island, or maybe expand your dining area. These new additions can include an island, cabinets, flooring, appliances, and more.
Choosing New Appliances
Are you using outdated appliances in your kitchen? If you’re planning to remodel, this is a good time to choose new appliances for your kitchen, such as a wine refrigerator, induction stove, and more. New appliances are more energy efficient and can reduce your cost over time. Once you choose your kitchen design, you can select appliances that complement it and add style to your kitchen makeover.
Type of Lighting
Another thing to consider for your kitchen makeover is the type of lighting you want. Consider the natural lighting of your space and go from there. If your entire kitchen seems dim, then you want to add extra layers of light to brighten up the space. Pendant lighting or task lighting can add a nice glow to your kitchen and improve functionality.
Simple Ways To Update Up Your Kitchen
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when it comes to updating your kitchen space and creating a new one. You don’t have to break the bank by planning for a major renovation. Creating a special layout that you want takes time and attention. The good news is there are simple ways to update your space and prepare for your renovation or kitchen makeover.
Appliances
Choosing the right appliances for your kitchen remodel can feel overwhelming with so many options. Before you make your selections, consider making a list of energy-efficient appliances. These will not only save you money but also add function to your home.
Stainless steel appliances can look nice, but take time to clean. White appliances offer a sleek look and finish to your space but may not add enough color. Take your time, evaluate your floor plan, and then choose the appliances that work for you.
Pendant Lights
Whether you’re remodeling your entire kitchen or just a portion, lighting is essential to any kitchen space. If you don’t have enough lighting, you won’t enjoy being in your kitchen. Pendant lights hang above a sink or island and look aesthetically pleasing in the kitchen. They offer direct light where you need it most and add to the overall brightness of your kitchen. Even if you don’t choose pendant lights, evaluate your floor plan and layout of your space and choose lights that will illuminate it to make it more inviting.
Cabinets
Replacing your cabinetry can turn an old kitchen into a dream space where you love spending more time. Updating your kitchen cabinets is a simple kitchen remodeling idea that won’t cost you a lot of money or time. You can choose custom cabinetry that you can personalize and make it work for your kitchen needs.
Consider whether you want lower cabinets, upper cabinets, or both. If your kitchen already has both, think about which ones you want to replace. Spilled food and grime often buildup on cabinets and stay there over time. Replacing your entire cabinets may revive your kitchen and attract potential buyers. Here are a few common choices for kitchen cabinets:
- Louvered – These add a modern look and style for your kitchen and have wooden slats that are similar to those on furniture or windows.
- Flat panel – Simple and stylish, flat panel cabinets can work with a modern look or farmhouse theme
- Distressed – Some homeowners choose this look for their cabinets to create a vintage feel in their kitchen.
- Beadboard – These cabinets offer a textured look to kitchen cabinets. They have rows of vertical planks that have ridges, which can look nice but cleaning can take some time.
Installing new doors or hardware to your current cabinetry is another simple way to update your kitchen Regardless of the cabinetry you choose, take some to decide whether you want open shelving space, upper cabinets or lower cabinets. Cabinetry is often the focal point of your kitchen, so take your time to decide what will work for your dream kitchen.
Paint your Kitchen
Painting your kitchen is a simple and effective way to refresh your space without going over budget or taking too much time. When you’re choosing a paint color or design, keep it simple. You can go with trendy color schemes or choose a paint color that matches the rest of your house. Test out a paint color on a nearby wall and see if it compliments the cabinetry and the rest of your kitchen. Giving your kitchen a fresh coat of semi-gloss paint can also add resale value to your house.
Upgrade Your Sink
Does your kitchen sink need an upgrade? Similar to a master bathroom, the eyes tend to draw towards the sink and how it appears. If the sink is leaking and appears ancient, choosing an upgraded one can brighten your space and operate more efficiently by saving some water. You can choose a common stainless steel option or one that matches your countertops. A farmhouse sink can also match several modern kitchen designs. Many homeowners choose single-basin sinks because they offer more room. Whatever sink you choose for your kitchen remodel, choose something that will offer more functionality.
Update Your Countertops
Replacing the kitchen sink and countertop can feel like a challenging part of kitchen upgrades. However, it doesn’t have to feel that way. Marble countertops can add style to a modern kitchen and increase the resale value of your house. You can never go wrong by adding more countertop space.
Many homeowners choose to replace their sinks and countertops together to maintain a unified look in their house. Marble countertops and quartz countertops are often expensive and hard to install if you choose the DIY route. If you can’t do a complete remodel of your countertops, you can choose an inexpensive faux laminate option that adds to a modern kitchen look.
Add A Kitchen Island
Do you have an island in your kitchen? If not, you may consider adding one as part of your remodel. Adding a kitchen island can actually create more room in your kitchen, especially if you enjoy cooking. You can customize many islands to allow for more cabinetry and shelving.
Some islands have open shelves while others have cabinet doors, which both work for storage space and provide more room in your kitchen.
Dining Room Update
Does your dining room need an update? If you spend a lot of time in your dining area, consider dates like new flooring, fresh paint, or comfy seating. It doesn’t have to look completely changed, but you can make the space work for you.
If your dining room connects to the kitchen, you can add to the space as part of a complete remodel. Consider new doors or a partition if you want to separate it from your kitchen. You can also choose just a few things that need an upgrade. Replacing the floors, furniture, or fixtures are a great way to make updates without breaking your budget.
Commonly Asked Questions About Kitchen Remodeling
Should I Add A Backsplash to My Kitchen?
A backsplash can increase your home’s resale value and add flare to your kitchen. When you install a backsplash, you can choose where you want it. While some people install them behind the sink and stove, others add them in most of the kitchen. A backsplash can protect your painting and make cleanup easier. You can choose a backsplash that is not expensive and even apply it on your own. Some people choose subway tiles for their tile backsplash because it creates a classic look.
Do I Need to Install A Dishwasher?
Most homes today have a dishwasher in the kitchen because modern dishwashers are energy-efficient and time-saving. Installing a dishwasher is another kitchen remodel idea that will increase the resale value of your house. You can choose a stainless steel appliance or a solid color that matches your new kitchen design.
Should You Install Flooring or Cabinets First?
It’s helpful in most cases to install your cabinets before your flooring. Most cabinets are at a specific height that allows you to minimize your flooring height. This idea works well if you have lower cabinets. Also, for aesthetic reasons, it’s helpful to install the flooring first because you need to lay the subfloor before the surface floor. This works whether you’re using tile floor, hardwood, marble, or something else.
Do I Need An Island In My Kitchen?
While you may not need an island in your kitchen, many kitchen spaces today include them. An island can provide additional space with shelves, drawers, and more. It can also provide more functionality in your kitchen and give more surface area for cooking and prepping.
If you want more room for appliances or even a work area, an island may help with that. There are several reasons to install a kitchen island. Eating, working, prepping, and storage are some common reasons to include an island in your remodel.
Should A Kitchen Island Stay Fixed to the Floor?
For safety reasons, it’s best for a kitchen island to remain fixed to the floor. Installing or replacing an island can seem overwhelming, but it’s best to have a stable surface for prepping, cooking, or even working. If the island is moving around, it can cause safety hazards and you will sacrifice the safety and functionality of your kitchen space.
Does Every Kitchen Need Task Lighting?
Ambient lighting can create a warm glow and soften the atmosphere of your kitchen or any room in your house. However, if you’re prepping and cooking in your kitchen or working at the island, task lighting is more helpful. It’s helpful to have bright lighting around your cabinets, stove, kitchen island, or above the sink for any work you need to do in the space.
How Often Should You Replace Kitchen Appliances?
There is no solid rule about when you should replace kitchen appliances. Although most last 10-15 years, this can change depending on the type and model of the appliances. For kitchen remodels, many homeowners change the style of their appliances to fit their updated design. Investing in stainless steel appliances and energy-efficient appliances are good options for replacement.
What Should You Look For When Buying Kitchen Cabinets?
There are many cabinet styles on the market today that fit with several kitchen designs. Framed or frameless cabinets provide several advantages for functionality and style. When you’re choosing new cabinets, you want to consider which type is sturdy enough to hold your items, appliances, and more.
Consider whether the drawers are solid and open smoothly. Look for decent shelf space that can hold all your items. If you’re not sure what cabinets would look best in your kitchen, you also invest the help of professional services to evaluate your space and help you work within your budget.
Get in Touch With us Today
Call the team here at Cavalier Builders in Los Angeles for your custom kitchen remodeling needs. We’ll send one of our experts to you to give you a quote. Our team is excited to work with you on your unique kitchen remodeling project in Los Angeles.
