Bring your kitchen into the 21st century, and you can bring the value of your home up. But don't rush to a renovator just yet. Kitchen remodels cost an average of $25,000. Many assume that they need top-to-bottom renovations of their kitchen. But they wind up spending money on things they don't get returns on. Don't go big. Get small. Add little touches to your kitchen design, and you can see a great return on investment. Not sure where to start? Here is a quick guide on how to design your kitchen.
Add Lighting to Your Kitchen Design
Lighting is an afterthought for many people. They place one fixture in the middle of their ceiling and call it a day. This leaves countertops and corners unlit, increasing the risk of an accident. You can light your kitchen with four separate layers. Install task lights above counters and beneath cabinets. Place ambient lighting in the dining and island spaces. Add accents if you have cabinets with china and glassware. Accent lighting isn't essential, but it draws out the beauty of your materials. For added visual appeal, you can add chandeliers and pendants.
Change Your Countertops
Tiled and vinyl countertops are becoming out-of-date. The gaps between tiles are hard to clean, and the vinyl appears cheap and artificial. For a modern and natural look, you can install a natural stone countertop. Marble is resilient, shiny, and elegant. Granite is more industrial but provides a great surface to work on. If you want more endurance, you can choose quartz. It resists scratches and germs, remaining beautiful through many years.
Renovate Your Cabinets
Not all cabinets come alike. To choose the perfect cabinets for your kitchen, you need to consider several factors. You want to match your kitchen to the architectural style of your house. If you have arched windows, you can get an arched cabinet. If your home has a lot of glass, you can install glass insets. Wood is the most popular cabinet material, but some think wood is antiquated. For a more modern look, you can select laminates or thermofoil. If you want to change the colour of wood cabinets, you can cover them with vinyl. You can also stain your wood for flashes of colour.
Get Energy-Efficient Appliances
A great way to lessen your carbon footprint is to buy energy-efficient appliances. Choose LED and CFL lighting over traditional incandescent options. Replace your refrigerator and microwave as well. If you have some money left over, update your plumbing. Install a low-flow kitchen faucet that uses less water. Seal all gaps in your piping system so water cannot leak or lose heat. Place window stripping and thermal blankets around your kitchen. This will keep heat from escaping, which means you will use less heat for your home. Make sure to install insulation in your attic, as a lot of heat escapes through that area.
Design Your Own Perfect Kitchen in Coquitlam
Don't tear down your kitchen design. Focus on small projects that innovate your kitchen and increase the value of your home. Add four layers of lighting, illuminating workspaces and providing intricate decorations. Add stone countertops for a more modern look. Match the design of your cabinets to your home and install laminate or vinyl. Replace outdated appliances with energy-efficient models. Install some small insulation, so you don't leak heating in the wintertime. Design your kitchen layout, then turn to the experts for their advice. Prime Kitchen Cabinets is the leading retailer for kitchen cabinets in Maple Ridge, Langley, and Coquitlam. Get your perfect cabinets today.