Six Remodeling Tips for your Kitchen

Is your kitchen design becoming a bit stale? Consider switching it up with a renovation!

Bringing new life to your kitchen can make your home more inviting, comfortable and pleasant to be in. However, remodeling isn’t always a simple, straightforward process.

Don’t rush the remodel

Really take the time to figure out exactly what you would like your kitchen to look like. You should have all of the details thought out, from the color of your distressed cabinets to where to put your farmhouse sink. Use inspiration tools like Kingston Brass’ Instagram or Pinterest pages to get ideas to fit your style preference. This will make it easier to nail down precisely what you do and don’t want. Pay attention to even the smallest of details, like the finish on your kitchen sink and faucets. Do you want brass faucets? Or chrome? These decisions should be made long before the remodel begins.

Find a reputable contractor

A contractor can help your interior design dream become a reality. Not all contractors will meet your standard of quality though, so do some research to ensure you pick the contractor that is right for your renovation project. The first step in your vetting process should always be to ask for proof of a current license, a list of suppliers, and some former customers. It’s a red flag if the contractor cannot provide even one of these. Then get bids from several contractors and be very specific about the materials that you want to be used throughout the remodel to ensure two things; that you get a fair price and their work matches your vision.

Consider everyday use

Do you have a busy kitchen? Perhaps you and your family love to cook. If so, you may want to stay away from materials that are hard to clean or surfaces that show dirt and debris easily. Light countertop surfaces like white laminate are beautiful, but you’ll have to clean them frequently, as they tend to show every last crumb and fingerprint. The same goes for your kitchen faucet finishes – some are easier to maintain than others. For instance, polished brass is both easy to clean and durable, while chrome tends to collect water spots and fingerprints.

Freshen up

Remodeling your kitchen doesn’t necessarily mean making massive changes. In fact, sticking to small, yet meaningful renovations, like putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls, replacing the trim, or rearranging furnishings can have a powerful impact. You can work with what you have by keeping your kitchen’s floor plan exactly the way it is. It’s possible to create an entirely unrecognizable space while keeping the layout the same.

Choose a focal point

Give the eye somewhere to land in your kitchen with a focal point. This could be a kitchen table with a glamorous chandelier hanging above, or you could draw attention to your farmhouse sink with a colorfully tiled backsplash. This focal point will also be the first impression in setting the room’s tone, so be creative and make personal!

Use light to create mood

Changing the lighting in your kitchen is one of the easiest ways to create a different mood and tone throughout the space. Instead of focusing on one or two fixtures, install a combination of layered lighting, like ambient, task and accent, to provide a soft, even glow all over your kitchen. You may also want to consider implementing dimmers in your kitchen so that you can adjust the lighting to match your activity or mood.

Kingston Brass has a wealth of knowledge to share from their 20+ years in the kitchen and bath industry. Can’t decide on a faucet style? Overwhelmed by our large selection of finishes? Reach us at mkt@kingstonbrass.com and we can help guide you on your journey to creating that perfect kitchen vision.