Remodeling the kitchen and bathroom adds value to your home, making it more attractive to prospective buyers. Renovating these areas enhances usability and improves efficiency. New fixtures and appliances are more efficient and can result in lower utility expenses in the long run. Here are a few tips and tricks for kitchen and bathroom remodeling:
1. Choose the Layout
There are various types of kitchen layouts, such as work triangle, galley, L-shape, U-shape, and island. Peninsula designs provide more counter space and seating. G-shaped kitchens accommodate large spaces, while one-wall kitchens are suitable for small apartments.
Bathroom plans range from traditional configurations to more contemporary orientations. These categories include three-quarter baths, full baths, or master baths featuring a shower and a bathtub. Jack and Jill bathrooms are those where one bathroom adjoins two bedrooms, while wet rooms are where shower and toilet areas are integrated. A powder room or half-bath is a small room for guests, which usually contains only a toilet and a sink.
2. Install Quality Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are available in different styles, such as shaker, flat-panel, raised-panel, and inset styles. Products range from solid wooden doors to medium-density fiberboard (MDF) with laminated or veneered surfaces. Upper cabinets contain doors with glass panels or no doors at all. Lower cabinets can have pull-out drawers, roll-out trays, or a lazy Susan for storing pots and pans.
In bathrooms, vanity cabinets are used below the sink and come in different widths. Other types of bathroom storage include wall cabinets, medicine cabinets, and over-toilet storage. Kitchen and bathroom storage can be either made from scratch or bought off the shelf as stock cabinets.
3. Choose Adequate Lighting
In kitchens, provide under-cabinet lighting to brighten work surfaces such as countertops for food preparation. For ambient lighting, use pendant lighting or recessed fixtures all around the room. Incorporate track lighting that you adjust to focus on art pieces or particular structural designs.
Use overhead ambient lighting in recessed fixtures or as a decorative ceiling mount. Light up the shower or the area surrounding the bathtub for increased visibility. Dimmer switches in bathrooms and kitchens are beneficial for flexibility and energy conservation.
4. Plan for Installation
During kitchen and bathroom remodeling, controlling the flow of air is key for effective airflow and reducing humidity. In kitchens, range hoods expel odors associated with cooking, smoke, and grease particles in the air. Ceiling-mounted exhaust fans are another source of air circulation in big kitchen areas.
Bathrooms utilize ceiling exhaust fans as the main type of ventilation to eliminate moisture and odors. Wall-mounted exhaust fans are also available for bathrooms with little ceiling space. For enhanced energy efficiency, heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) can be fitted in the kitchen and bathroom.
5. Choose Moisture-resistant Materials
Kitchens and bathrooms require moisture-resistant materials to avoid cases of mold and mildew formation. Flooring should be porcelain or ceramic tile with a slip-resistant glaze, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), or sheet vinyl for wet areas. For the walls, put up moisture-resistant drywall or cement board and then cover it with water-resistant paint or put up tiles.
For cabinetry, use moisture-resistant materials. Quartz, granite, or solid surface countertops are examples of products that are not sensitive to moisture. For shower and tub areas, the best options include acrylic panels, natural stone, or porcelain tile with a waterproofing membrane underneath.
6. Install Efficient Appliances
Kitchen appliances that save energy and water include new refrigerators and dishwashers, as well as energy-efficient ovens. Induction cooktops heat food rapidly and can be controlled easily, which means energy is not used up when it is not needed. In the bathrooms, owners can implement measures like reduced water usage because of low-flow toilets and showerheads without compromising the quality of water used.
Get Started With Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling
A bathroom and kitchen remodeling company has a deep understanding of design aspects, materials, and construction methods that you can incorporate into your project. They can advise you on how to make the most of your budget without having to sacrifice quality. They will also offer competitive pricing because they work with local third-party vendors. Add the features you want to your dream home with the help of a professional remodeling contractor today.
