There are many reasons for kitchen remodels; however such a project can prove to be a daunting task if not approached in a systemic manner. First of which is to determine the need for a remodel, then plan the items that will meet this need and finally utilizing a plan for your budget and scope of work.
Reasons to Remodel
Day to day usage creates cosmetic wear and tear on cabinets, appliances and other fixtures in your kitchen. There are always dings, scrapes and general fading with the usage of the kitchen and its contents. Remodeling can update and even modernize your kitchen.
Remodeling becomes a logical way to increase space and to provide adequate room for a growing family or entertaining guests. It is common for kitchen needs to grow as one matures and it becomes more of the center of the home, so having adequate space is vital.
A kitchen remodel can also improve the efficiency of the overall traffic flow of the home as well as the efficiency within the kitchen itself. Having a convenient path through the home, for example one where outdoor traffic does not immediate step through and track the outdoors into the food prep area, is important to the layout of the home. Upgrading appliances, storage spaces and such allows for a great increase in the efficiency of the home.
In some cases, a family member’s health or disability demand a more accessible area. These remodels are perhaps the most challenging.
No matter what your needs for remodeling are, it is vital to have a plan, budget and a detailed scope of work.
General Remodeling Approaches
Determine the purpose and focus of your remodel, upgrade or expansion and then you must consider the logistical needs of plumbing, gas and electric placements. Organize and prioritize your ideas, wants, and needs for the project.
Decide on your budget for appliances, fixtures, painting and accents to include professional contractors and installers. This is generally the detailed task to take into consideration cabinetry, countertop material, light and plumbing fixtures, flooring, appliances, hardware and even materials for backsplashes. Who will complete each phase and scope of work, finalize your choices and collect contractor estimates and agreements on the final punch lists. New Jersey areas of Chatham and Madison have many options for contractors, painters and design specialist.
Completing Your Kitchen Remodel with Color
Choosing the right paint is vital to bringing together your kitchen remodel project. It is with colors and textures of paint that the entire design comes together. House painting can be a DIY project or contracted via an interior painter who specializes in residential painting, depending upon your time, budget and DIY skills.
Most kitchens have minimal wall space so choose and utilize the best color to bring out your theme. Bolder colors bring out not only this limited wall space but also the stainless steel appliances and darker wood cabinets which seem to be trending at this time. “Aztec clay colors”, the coppers, gingers, golds, and hennas are popular and bold accents to these contemporary kitchen designs.
Other trending options evoke warm colors which can soothe, stimulate appetite and overall create an atmosphere of comfort and serenity. These colors include such subtle shades as yellows, reds, and apricot.
Traditional colors of the “country” kitchens have been given a new life by complimenting the base of rustic colors with accents of cool pinks, yellows, greens and other lighter colors.
To determine which color scheme works best with your remodeled kitchen determine if your appliances, cabinets, backsplashes and countertops lend themselves to bold, serene or traditional “country” colors.
DIY Kitchen Painting Ideas
If you decide to complete your kitchen paint project yourself and not utilize an interior painter, there are some steps to make it a smoother project.
First, it is best to paint before cabinets, appliances and other items have been installed during your remodel. This will decrease the cleanup and accidents. Wash the walls with about 3 teaspoons of laundry detergent per gallon of water to get accumulated dirt, grease and other grime off the walls. Remove cracked or flaking paint with a scraper and any other imperfections can be sanded down via sanding block, sand paper or a power sander.
Ensure that you gather all your materials: paint, primer, can opener, rollers/rolling cages, stir sticks, paintbrushes, trays, drop cloths, painters tape, gloves and extensions if needed. Having everything on hand allows less tracking paint through home, interrupted time and wasted paint or primer.
When choosing a paint primer, a high quality primer will help to diminish small imperfections on surfaces. If your remodel involved new drywall it is best to use a high quality water-based primer as opposed to the oil-based primer which is best suited for older dry wall with stains or paneling.
Prep the paint area with painters tape to protect wall trim, sconces or other areas needing protected from paint bleed overs.
You are now ready to begin painting; start in the corners near the ceiling with an angle brush – this is the “cutting in” which is needed prior to rollers being used. Also, prior to rolling, utilize a small brush to paint around trim and tighter areas that a larger brush cannot reach.
Rolling is best approached by doing a “W” pattern near the corner, about 3’ x 3’W and then fill it in without lifting the roller off the wall. This helps hide streaks where the roller would otherwise be lifted and paint is restarted. This can be repeated to complete the project.
The remodel of your kitchen does not have to be a daunting or overwhelming when you plan and execute your scope of work and punch lists.