Kitchen Remodeling: Adding an Island

Kitchen remodeling by adding an island can be a valuable upgrade and allow you to enjoy your kitchen.  Remodeling can be as extensive as you have the time and budget for.  This kitchen remodel did not require additional electrical or plumbing work to be done, but added great usable space in the kitchen.

Simple Island

High-End Island

Kitchen Remodeling: Replacing Kitchen Cabinets as Part of Home Remodeling

Professionally Designed Kitchen

Replacing your kitchen cabinets during kitchen remodeling is about as drastic and expensive as you can get for a home remodeling project.  Hopefully the following information will help you to spend your money wisely and get the most from your home remodeling budget.

If you are adding cabinets or changing the layout of your kitchen, remodeling services of a professional to plan a functional kitchen will be worth it.  Many of your choices are going to be driven by your home remodeling budget, but there are ways to make sure that your are getting the best quality for the money.

Some kitchen remodeling cabinet expenses are related to aesthetics and some are related to how the cabinets are built.  Either way, the first decision to make is whether you want to use stock cabinets or custom cabinets.  Custom cabinets are generally of higher quality, but not necessarily.  Be sure to check references and ask to see samples.  The benefit to custom cabinets is that they are built to fit your space.  If you want uniquely sized cabinets or special design features in your kitchen remodeling, custom cabinets will be your best choice.  One negative is that if you ever need to replace a door or panel, you will have to go back to the custom cabinetry shop since materials and sizes are, well…custom.

Stock cabinets are made in standard sizes.  All levels of quality and varieties of finishes are still available, but if the standard sizes leave a gap when they are laid out in your kitchen, a filler strip is used to close the gap.  This is generally not noticeable, but it is different from custom cabinets.

There are several things to look for in determining the quality of kitchen cabinets:

• Look at the quality of the hardware that comes with the cabinets.  Is it durable as well as beautiful?
• Will accessories, such as trays and baskets, work with your cabinets?
• Corner blocks made of plastic indicate lower quality cabinets.
• Look at the quality of the finish on the materials.
• Joints that are glued and nailed are lower quality than those that are dovetailed or use dowels.

After you’ve finished kitchen remodeling, enjoy your new cabinets and know that you have added value to your home.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flikr.com/photos/architectural-rendering-models/3871670220/)

Kitchen Remodeling: Reface the Cabinets if You Plan to Sell Your Home Soon

In the Process of Refacing

Refacing kitchen cabinets is most often done as a kitchen remodeling project if you are planning to sell your home in the next 5 years.  The look and feel of the kitchen is one of the most important features buyers consider, and therefore should be high on your list when you want to sell your home.

Refacing your kitchen cabinets can make the cabinets appear new and the kitchen will feel updated, without the cost and time required for installation of new cabinets as part of a larger kitchen remodeling effort.

Before deciding on refacing over replacing, ask yourself whether your existing kitchen layout works and if you have enough storage and counter space.  If the answers are yes, and if your cabinets are in good structural shape, then refacing may be the answer to this kitchen remodeling question.

Refacing means that you will cover the existing cabinet surfaces with new laminate.  Door and drawer fronts are also replaced to match the new laminate.  Side panels of end cabinets are also refaced.

When you reface your cabinets, you can completely change the style and feel of your kitchen, which is at the core of kitchen remodeling.  You can go from a dark walnut wood to light oak with glass doors, for example.  Adding new hinges will put a spring back into those cabinet doors and new handles and drawer pulls can be chosen to finish off the desired look.

The reduced cost of refacing cabinets makes it easier for you to see a return on your investment when you sell your home, but it is also a substantial enough kitchen remodeling project for you to enjoy in the meantime.

If you aren’t planning to sell your home soon and want to invest in new cabinets, an upcoming blog will give you some ideas.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/donabelandewen/4105718749/)

Refinish the Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen remodeling is the most expensive home improvement project that most people undertake.  In order to manage the cost of kitchen remodeling, some people choose to refinish their kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them.  Refinishing kitchen cabinets can save a lot of money and can also cut a lot of time off the kitchen remodeling schedule.  Wood or plywood cabinets are the most easily refinished. Refinishing not only refers to sanding, staining, and sealing.  Metal, laminate, and melamine cabinets can also be refinished with paint, but beware that special paints need to be used on those materials.

Before deciding the refinishing your cabinets is the optimal solution to your kitchen remodeling ideas, be sure that the cabinets are in good condition to begin with.  Refinishing does not remove knicks, warping, or other damage to the cabinets.

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of this home improvement project:

• remove doors and drawer fronts from the cabinets
• remove all hardware from doors and drawer fronts
• clean the cabinets thoroughly, paying special attention to any grease spots
• prepare the surface according to recommendations for the particular material
• if painting, spray on the paint for the most uniform coverage
• refinish the inside of the cabinets at the same time
• use gloss or semi-gloss paint or polyurethane

If you follow these tips and remain patient, your cabinets and your kitchen should have a renewed look and you can cross one more home improvement project off your list.

If refinishing your cabinets is not going to get you the results you are looking for, stay tuned to this home improvement blog for information about refacing kitchen cabinets.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/hazeldog/3815828729/)

Cabinets Refinished with Paint

What to do about the Cabinets?

Old Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen remodeling and your cabinets:  to reface, refinish, or replace?  To find the answer, consideration needs to be given to other factors than just your wallet.

What are the goals of your kitchen remodeling project?  Are you looking to sell your house, update your house, or make your house more functional? 

Refinishing:  How old, ugly, and worn out are your cabinets?  Older cabinets in an older home may add just the character your house needs, which means your kitchen remodeling project shouldn’t change your cabinets too much.  You could get by with replacing the hardware and having the cabinets refinished.  You may also opt for refinishing cabinets if you don’t absolutely hate what you have, you don’t have the cash to do more, and you’re not going to sell your house in the near future.  Remember, most of the flaws and damage will still be visible after refinishing your cabinets.  These are all things to consider as you decide how much kitchen remodeling you want to pursue.

Refacing:  Cabinets that are in good condition, in the layout that you want, but just not the wood or look that you like, may be able to be refaced.  Refaced cabinets can update a kitchen without the expense or hassle of completely replacing your cabinets as part of a larger kitchen remodeling project.  New hinges and other hardware can also add new life to older cabinets.  Refacing is an excellent choice if you’re planning to sell your house in the next few years since you are more likely to recoup your investment.

Replacing:  The most radical solution to outdated kitchen cabinets, is to replace them all.  This kitchen remodeling decision is an expensive one and can lead to additional expenses if you also decide to replace the countertop, sink, and other built-ins.  The advantages of completely replacing cabinets include being able to move things around and remodel the space as well as update the cabinets.  You also will have the choice of many new conveniences such as built-in spice racks.  This project is expensive and in many markets will not get a large enough return on investment if you sell your house in the next few years.

The next three blog entries will explore your kitchen remodeling options further:  refinishing, refacing, or replacing kitchen cabinets.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesliepepple/430651819/)

Kitchen Remodeling Nightmare

My husband is a professional chef. Recently, we decided that, in order to get the most out of his talent, we’d remodel the kitchen and turn our traditional kitchen into a chef-worthy workspace.

Excited about the project, my husband and I carefully picked out new cabinets, floors and appliances. We choose custom-made counters that can double as cutting boards. We considered everything, from the sink’s backsplash to the tile to the color of our high-end appliances.

What we didn’t think about, however, were the ramifications of installing a commercial range in our home. After enlarging the gas line and upgrading our exhaust system, we finally thought the nightmare of installing the range was over. Boy were we wrong! Turns out our home insurance company won’t cover homes that contain commercial ranges. We had to switch to another insurance company, and now we’re paying almost twice what we were for the old policy.

Take my advice and learn from my mistake: Talk to your insurance company before you begin your remodeling project!

Convection Ovens and Christmas: A Heavenly Match

This summer, my family and I moved into a home with a convection oven. Not being much of a baker, I didn’t think too much about the oven. I would’ve been as happy with a traditional one.

After doing my holiday baking this year, however, I’m sold on the convection oven! Not only did my cookies come out more evenly baked, but they cooked much faster than they would have in my old oven. I can’t wait to bake more things!

Does anyone have a great recipe that I can try out in my convection oven?

I’d love to try it!

Photo Credit: Or Hiltch