Kitchen Remodel Tacoma adds value to your home and increases the usability of this most used room in your house. One of the most popular updates is to install a backsplash.

This will protect your walls from water, grease, and other messes while adding a creative design element to the room. It can also improve your resale value.

Cabinets provide a sturdy and reliable foundation for an organized kitchen ambiance. They come in a wide variety of aesthetics to complement your desired design and function, ranging from traditional to contemporary styles. However, cabinets’ importance extends beyond their appearance to facilitating an effective cooking experience by enabling you to find whatever you need with ease.

Regardless of style, most cabinets are constructed using plywood or high-quality particle board (HPL) for flat sections that do not require shaping, such as shelves, cabinet sides, and drawer bottoms. They may also be made of solid wood or engineered wood, such as melamine or hardwood veneers. The latter are typically more expensive but have greater strength than solid woods, as well as being less prone to warping from moisture.

Upper cabinets are typically mounted to the wall, which differentiates them from base cabinets that sit on the floor. A standard upper cabinet is 12 inches deep, but a more custom design can be as shallow or as tall as needed.

Cabinet doors are typically either traditional overlay or full overlay. The former is a standard mounting method in which the cabinet door overlays the face frame, while the latter abuts the face frame without covering it when closed. Both types of construction are available in framed or frameless options.

Although primarily designed to store food and kitchen equipment, cabinets can also be used as stylish storage for personal items like hats, shoes, or lingerie. This creative use of cabinets can help you keep your belongings organized while freeing up space on your bedroom floors and minimizing the chances that you misplace your favorite accessories. Additionally, it can be a great way to show off your personal style and decor while still keeping everything within reach.

Countertops

Countertops are the workhorses of the kitchen and set the tone for the style and functionality of the space. They need to be durable and easy to maintain, as well as look good. Today, there are many choices for countertops, from natural stones like granite and marble to manufactured quartz and other engineered surfaces.

Stainless steel countertops are popular in commercial kitchens and are making an appearance in residential homes. This material is germ-resistant and sanitary, and it can add an industrial vibe to the kitchen. It shows fingerprints and water spots easily, however, so it’s not a great choice for a family with young children.

Recycled glass slab countertops are another option for those wanting a unique countertop. This material is made from a blend of recycled glass that is melted down and then formed into slabs for use in the kitchen. The finished product looks nothing like traditional tile and can be used to complement other elements in the kitchen, such as backsplash tile or open shelves.

For a less expensive option, solid surface acrylic or polyester materials are available in a variety of colors and patterns to match any style or decor. These countertops are often prefabricated in the installer’s shop and then installed on site. They can be shaped to fit the contours of the room and have several edge treatments, including square, round, or ogee.

This dated kitchen needed to be opened up and the layout adjusted for better flow and more function. Changing the sink window location to face the bay and repositioning the island helped maximize the space, and airy color schemes and materials lightened the overall feel of the room. White cabinets, Crema Marfil perimeter countertops, and maple on the island are bright and airy, while earthy tones in the rest of the home make this updated kitchen feel cozy and inviting.

Flooring

Flooring is one of the first design elements most people consider when remodeling a kitchen. It can determine wall, area rug and cabinet colors as well as the overall tone of a room.

Linoleum and luxury vinyl are inexpensive kitchen floor options that resist water damage, staining and chipping better than ceramic tile. Both come in a variety of patterns and styles, including wood-looking planks. They are also easier on the feet than hard tiles and provide more warmth underfoot.

Whether you’re just looking for a quick refresh or a full remodel, HomeAdvisor provides a cost breakdown of kitchen remodel projects to help you gauge what changes you can make within your budget. A minor kitchen remodel costs an average of $23,402, while a major kitchen renovation runs about $60,000 on average.

A cramped layout and dated finishes were this kitchen’s tipping points for a major refresh. By knocking down a wall, relocating the sink window to capitalize on natural light and rearranging cabinets, the designer created a family-friendly space. Airy materials and colors brighten the new kitchen. Crema Marfil marble countertops, white subway tile, and maple on the island create a sleek backdrop for this kitchen’s curated accessories.

A small kitchen remodel can be DIY-friendly, but be sure to consult a professional for plumbing and electrical projects. If your budget is limited, opt for a simple freshen-up like painting or installing a backsplash to instantly transform the look of a kitchen. Other affordable updates include re-arranging lighting fixtures, replacing or adding a window treatment and incorporating a fresh floral arrangement. An eye-catching pendant light and a bamboo window shade can also have a significant impact on your kitchen’s style.

Appliances

There are a variety of appliances that can be installed in your kitchen during a remodel. Some appliances are designed to be sleek and stylish, while others are designed for efficiency and ease of use. Many brands also offer connectivity for their products, which makes them easier to manage and control. This can save you a lot of time by allowing you to pre-heat the oven on your way home from work, schedule hot water for your morning java, and more.

Another important consideration when selecting appliances is their energy efficiency. Energy-efficient appliances reduce your household energy bills by using less energy, which in turn cuts carbon dioxide emissions. They also minimize the exploitation of natural resources, which is essential to achieving sustainable development.

If you’re planning to sell your house in the future, it may be worth investing in new kitchen appliances that are both energy efficient and beautiful to look at. However, it’s important to avoid over-customizing your appliances so that they appeal to a broader range of buyers in the future. If you do, it’s possible that your new appliances won’t be able to meet the demands of the market in a few years.

Appliance standards must be updated to include energy-efficient technologies, which will help reduce their consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The benefits of these technologies are substantial: Manufacturers gain through economies of scale and reduced market entry barriers; consumers benefit through lower energy costs and cleaner environments; and communities and countries benefit from climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. These benefits must be extended to the billions of people living without access to energy-efficient appliances. Expanding access to these appliances will contribute to reducing vulnerability and poverty, while supporting economic growth, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience.

Lighting

The right kitchen lighting ideas can take your kitchen to the next level. It’s important to balance task lighting with ambient and accent lighting so you can see what you’re doing, while also highlighting the design elements of your space.

Pendant lights are a great option for kitchen island lighting, especially when they feature unique designs and materials. You can even play with the length of the cords to create different effects. For example, you can use shorter cords for a more understated look or longer ones to create a more eye-catching focal point.

Overhead lights are another excellent choice for kitchens. You can install recessed lights in the ceiling for overall ambient lighting, or you can use LED strip lights to illuminate the underside of cabinets. The key is to find a light that fits your style and blends with the rest of your room.

When it comes to task lighting, there are a lot of options available. You can install pendant lights over the counter, or you can use under-cabinet LEDs to provide direct light to the work area. It’s important to choose a light that matches the rest of your kitchen, and you can always go for a warm white or cool white to match your kitchen colors.

If your kitchen is part of an open-plan dining space, consider softer kitchen lighting ideas to complement your dining furniture. For example, a wicker lampshade adds texture and can be used to break up the stark lines of cabinets. Or you can hang a set of rise and fall lights above the dining table. This type of lighting can be controlled independently and switched on and off to create the right mood for dinner parties or intimate family meals.

Bryan Siniard