5 Things You Didn’t Know About Kitchen Renovations
If you’re like most busy families, your kitchen is truly the heart of your home. From day-to-day tasks like meal prep, washing dishes, and endless after-school snacks to hosting weekend gatherings or holidays, so much life happens within this hardworking space. So, it should be no surprise that kitchen renovations continually top the list as one of the most popular updates homeowners make.
Whether you long for new countertops, more spacious cabinets, or a complete overhaul, you likely already understand the significant undertaking involved. But do you know how to make the right decisions for your family’s needs and do it right the first time?
In my experience, the answer is usually no — simply because there is SO MUCH that everyday homeowners don’t know about renovating. This month, I want to give you the information you need to feel prepared, supported, and equipped to create a kitchen that delights your family and lasts a decade. Let’s take a look…
1. Your Kitchen Selections Depend on Your Lifestyle
When designing your dream kitchen, the seemingly insignificant details of your everyday routine are actually quite important. In fact, I’d say they’re the most important. Understanding your family’s unique lifestyle is the first thing we do as designers — and if you’re working with someone who doesn’t ask these questions, run the other way! Questions like:
How many people use the kitchen at a time?
Do you usually cook or eat out?
If you cook, what types of food do you make?
How do you prefer to prepare meals (frying at high heat, baking, etc.)?
Do you buy mostly fresh or frozen foods?
How often do you entertain?
What types of events do you host?
How many people attend?
What small kitchen appliances will you need to store?
Etc.
You may be wondering, “Laura, do you really need to know how we prepare our salmon and if we buy our broccoli frozen?” In general, yes. Discovering these details will allow us to steer you in the right direction when it comes to selecting the best materials, appliances, and design solutions for your needs.
2. The Size of Your Appliances Matter
Do you have your heart set on a large commercial-looking range? Are you dreaming of a separate column fridge and freezer or two dishwashers to make daily cleanup easy? Or, maybe you’re an avid baker, and your must-have list includes double ovens with a warming drawer? These are essential details you (or we) will need to know when planning.
Appliance sizes have a big influence on the layout and flow of your kitchen. They will determine the functional space plan we create for you, as well as the amount of room we have for other features, like your cabinets and drawers.
If you’re not committed to specific appliances, we can start by designing a layout using standard measurements. However, if you already know you want specialty models, we will select and purchase them before finalizing any cabinetry drawings. This ensures a thoughtful, intuitive design and a perfect fit.
3. All Aspects of Your Countertops are Important
If you’ve ever drifted into the countertop aisle at showrooms, you understand how easy it is to get caught up in the stunning patterns, designs, and colors, imagining how they’d look in your home. Don’t get me wrong, we want you to have a gorgeous countertop for your new kitchen, but there is more to your selection than meets the eye.
When we explore your lifestyle and routine together, we’ll also ask you how you feel about cleaning and maintaining your countertops. For example, some people love speckled granite to hide crumbs and imperfections, while others desire bright, white counters that show every spec of dust so they can keep them meticulously clean.
Aesthetics aside, the material itself is just as important. While quartz is maintenance-free and resistant to chipping, heat, and scratches, it won’t feel unique — every slab looks the same. On the other hand, marble and natural stone are beautiful and one of a kind, but they’re porous, prone to scratching and chipping, and need regular sealing to prevent stains.
Choosing the right countertop boils down to your lifestyle and personal comfort level. There’s no right or wrong decision, only what’s right for you.
4. Backsplash and Grout are Essential Decisions
Selecting a backsplash is often another decision people make based on aesthetics alone. But when you think about it, the tile or stone you choose actually plays a functional role in your kitchen, too. Water splashed by the sink is easily wiped, but what about oil and food splatters behind the range? If you’re not regularly cleaning and resealing your backsplash, it will stain.
When it comes to grout, we always recommend a darker color regardless of the tile, since grout is the most prone to staining. Another trend we’re currently seeing is using the countertop material as a backsplash. Yes, it is more expensive, but there’s no grout, and it’s a breeze to clean. Cheers to that!
5. A Well-Designed Kitchen Will Work Harder than You Do
A practical, beautiful, and functional kitchen works hard so you don’t have to. It will enhance your home, simplify your life, and (in my experience) bring your family closer. Having a designer on your team is an investment, but it’s one that will save you precious time, money, and stress.
We’re ALL about helping you make the right decisions, guiding you through the process, and leading you to a home that you will love for years and years to come. If you’d like specialized support and guidance, my team and I would love to help. Reach out to me here, and let’s chat about your project.
