If you’re like me and enjoy spending time in the kitchen cooking or hanging out with friends and a glass of wine, then you have likely imagined the ideal kitchen in your head. Mine includes a large island settled in an open space plan between a sitting area, dinning, and kitchen. From that point the final details are ever evolving. Below are some ideas to help you settle on what you want most when you complete your kitchen remodel.

Finishes

The finishes on an island vary by taste and personality of the room. One of recent trends is to incorporate colors and finishes in the Island that contrast with the kitchen’s perimeter cabinets. For example, if your perimeter cabinets are a light warm stained finish, then the island can have a deeper stain color with a glazed finish. Or an island painted blue or a deep emerald really stands out against perimeter cabinets painted white or light grey. Painted cabinets can even be combined with stained cabinets.

Granite and quartz countertops between the perimeter and island can also be different slabs – or be from the same slab to help visually pull the areas together. A butcherblock wood countertop is an excellent look to add warmth and character to an island.

The combination for your remodeled kitchen is as endless as your creativity!

 

 

Shapes

Kitchen islands come in a variety of shapes depending on the perimeter outline of your kitchen, overall size of the space, and the function of the island.

An island can be rectangular in various lengths, narrow, have a raised snack bar, bowed front for added seating, five- or six-sided, L shaped, or kitchens can have double islands. The advantage of each depends on how you navigate and work in the space.

 

Features

The best part about a Kitchen island is how it incorporates functionality with design. If you are low on dining space in your home, consider extending the island to include an eat-at table or snack bar. An Island can also include features such as a kitchen sink, secondary prep sink, range, under-counter microwave, open shelving, garbage/recycle bins, or beverage cooler. When designing a kitchen and island layout, always consider keeping the main features in near proximity while still allowing plenty of countertop area and space to move between them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The variety of islands can be overwhelming, so make a short list of the features and finishes that are most important to you and the shape that will best suit your home and use. Don’t be afraid to enlist the expertise of a kitchen design expert. The time spent on a professional design will be well worth it when you’re tipping back a glass of your favorite beverage with your closest friends in your newly remodeled kitchen!

You love your home and location but feel it’s not meeting your needs for space and livability. When faced with the decision to move or remodel there are several factors to consider.

If you are already living in an ideal location, what is the likelihood you can find a more suitable home layout in the same area? Does the thought of house hunting and moving all your belongings to settle in a new place stress you out? Is your property able to handle an expansion in size? Or will an adjustment to walls and room layout satisfy your needs? What does your budget look like for either investment option?

Growing families likely require a growing space. For those living in a condo or small home, moving to a home with a larger square footage and potential for expansion is going to be your best option. Before buying a new home, planning is still required to understand future needs and ensure you settle in a home that will suffice for years to come.

If you already live in a home with growth potential, there are a few other factors to consider before undertaking a home remodel or building an addition. First, research values of other homes in the area. Consider whether you can recoup a portion of the cost and avoid over-pricing your home in the local market.

Larger home remodeling projects are best considered as long-term investment and better suited to families who plan to stay in the home for several years. A home that is sold shortly after a large remodel will see a significantly lower ROI (50-70% according to https://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2019/) compared to when homeowners can personally use the updates for a number of years afterwards.

Other needs such as improving traffic flow in the house, shifting room sizes, or updating key elements make a remodel a perfect option. Although you may have to live in a construction zone for a few weeks, this far outweighs the time and energy that would be spent in moving to a new home.

If you love where you live… talk to a remodeling contractor today to see if a fresh design and renovation can make your home fit your new lifestyle and needs!