There’s a saying in real estate that one isn’t selling a home, but selling a kitchen. That’s because the kitchen is often the focal point of a living space. It’s one of the first things visitors see when they enter, and it’s frequently one of the most high traffic areas in a house. A kitchen remodel is an investment that adds value to your home. In today’s post, the experts at Cosmos SurfacesTM share kitchen remodel tips to help you make that revamp a reality.
Kitchen Remodel: 5 Things to Consider
There’s a lot to think about once you decide to remodel your kitchen, from choosing colors, patterns and materials for new tiles or countertops to deciding whether it’s time to upgrade appliances. A remodel can be a big investment. The last thing any homeowner wants is to realize they missed an important step along the way. Here are 5 things to consider when planning for a kitchen remodel:
- New Cabinets Before Countertops
If you’re in the market for new countertops, but your kitchen remodel includes new cabinets, you’ll want to take care of those first. Measurements for your new counters will likely need to accommodate cabinets. If you’re not sure whether you need new cabinets, check in with your countertop fabricator to see whether existing cabinetry is level and stable enough to support your new countertop materials. It’s important to keep in mind that if you’re keeping your old cabinets, your old countertop might be hiding unsightly areas of those cabinets, like unstained wood that might show when a new countertop is installed (though this can be remedied by installing wood trim).
- Doors and Entryways
Before you start shopping for those gorgeous new countertops, be sure to measure all doors, hallways and entry points to your kitchen. If you’re looking to install large countertop slabs or a sizable kitchen island, the height and width of entry points might mean your materials need to be fabricated as multiple slabs, brought into your kitchen and seamed together there.
- Seam Locations
When designing your new kitchen, consider where countertop and kitchen island seams will be located. That way, you can work with your fabricator to ensure you’re getting materials that will accommodate your design. The location of your kitchen sink also factors into this part of the planning process.
- Updating Kitchen Appliances
Just like with new cabinetry, if you plan on updating your appliances, take care of this before moving on to countertops. By taking care of these larger items early on in the process, you’ll ensure that countertop measurements are accurate. Be sure to check that the height of your new or existing stove top will be level with new countertops. A new kitchen sink will also affect countertop measurements. Check in with your natural stone fabricator to see what durable sink options are available.
- Choosing Kitchen Countertop Materials
There are plenty of wonderful natural stone countertop options out there, from classic granite to gorgeous, high-quality marble. Each material has its benefits and drawbacks. It’s well worth taking the time to research which material is best suited to your needs and budget. Man-made options like quartz countertops can help achieve a similar look to natural stone at a more affordable price, while natural stones like granite and quartzite are unrivaled in their durability and natural beauty.
If you’d like to learn more about the qualities and maintenance requirements for various popular kitchen countertop options, check our post on the pros and cons of marble countertops, or this one on quartz vs. granite vs. marble. For more information on general stone countertop maintenance, we covered how to clean natural stone like a pro here.
Always consult with your countertop fabricator to find a material that works for you. Factors like lifestyle, ease of maintenance, budget and the size and weight of countertop materials all factor in when deciding on the best materials for your new kitchen.
Professional Countertop Suppliers: Cosmos SurfacesTM
Cosmos SurfacesTM is a 2nd generation, family-owned business dedicated to providing expert knowledge, meaningful customer service and high-quality surface materials. We offer a wide range of products and resources to facilitate our customers with countertop installations and home remodels. Contact us today to get started!
Color of the Month: Molasses
Molasses is a rich brown sugar color reminiscent of gingerbread, perfect for accent walls. Pair it with earthy natural stone or wood for dark honeyed tones.
Striking and gorgeous like the beaches of its namesake, Normandy is an intricately beautiful granite. Dark brown and gold crystalline veins cross a creamy backdrop to create a stunning landscape. The light colors of Normandy will add warmth and light to kitchens and bathrooms alike, and looks especially striking as flooring and countertops.
The granite dubbed Vitrium is both bold and complex. Hailing from Brazil, a creamy background is accentuated by diverse patterns that range from strikes of gold to swirls of black. No two areas of Vitrium are the same; every inch is uniquely diverse, which makes Vitrium a versatile option for any room, inside or out.
