Of the many home improvement projects Texans love to do, nothing delivers as much impact as a kitchen renovation. Any time of year is a good time for a kitchen remodeling Austin project, especially in the summer. Knowing how long a renovation process can take, homeowners want to get started now to enjoy their new kitchen for the holidays. If this sounds like your situation, take a few moments to review these top 10 kitchen remodeling tips for Austin homeowners.
Where To Start With Your Kitchen Remodel In Austin
Austin is an eclectic town and popular kitchen styles can vary widely based on the personal design aesthetic of the homeowner. The best place to start is your current kitchen. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What do I like about my kitchen?
- What is missing?
- Do I want to keep anything or start from scratch?
- Do I need more storage?
- Do I need more square footage?
- How do I want my kitchen to function?
- What part of my personal style do I want to bring into this space?
Plan your budget for your Austin kitchen remodel
Now that you have a better idea of your renovation goals, you need to decide how much you are willing or able to invest in the process. There are several different aspects of a renovation that can significantly increase your budget, including new cabinetry, upgraded appliances, new countertops, and new flooring. The good news is that remodeling the kitchen in your Austin home can significantly increase the value of your home when you are ready to sell, making a kitchen remodel an excellent return on investment. Even if your house is your forever home, the investment in a quality remodel will give you a lifetime of happy memories in a beautiful kitchen.
Ten Ideas for your austin kitchen Remodel
The most exciting part of a kitchen remodel is choosing your materials. The final look of your kitchen is a culmination of all the materials you choose to put together in one space. Making certain those materials work well together is one of the many things a kitchen remodel expert can assist with. A quality home remodeling company should provide you with assistance in the new layout and offer options to have someone help you with material selection. No matter your personal aesthetic, your designer should be able to help you find the right materials to bring your personality to life in your kitchen. Here are ten trends to help you with your summer kitchen renovation:
Practical Flooring
Hardwood floors are beautiful, but not always the most practical choice. Hardwood floors are one of the most expensive choices for flooring. They require a huge amount of maintenance and specialty cleaners to avoid lasting damage and are susceptible to moisture and temperature changes. Plus, animals and foot traffic can damage and scratch hardwood floors requiring expensive repairs. Engineered wood is a solid middle ground with regards to temperature resistance and price compared to hardwood floors. They are more cost-effective than hardwood, and the improved temperature and moisture resistance allow them to be used with water-fed underfloor heating systems. However, like all wood flooring options, they do require special maintenance and can be damaged by pets and foot traffic. Another practical flooring option is tile. There are many wood-look tile options that give the visual appearance of wood with the ease of maintenance and durability of tile. Tile also gives the option of different appearances like marble or solid colors to help bring your vision to life. Tile does occasionally require grout cleaning but is still easier to maintain than wood flooring. The durability of tile allows for pets and regular foot traffic without damage to the floors.
Bold Cabinets
The past decade has shown a shift to transitional, minimalistic design. Now, many people are using bright, vibrant colors and warm wood looks to breathe new life into kitchen design. Blues and warm-colored wood stains are making a comeback as gray-stained wood is starting to go out of style. Many homeowners are starting to use open, floating shelves above kitchen counters and solid cabinets below. Sometimes using different colors on each level. A qualified designer or cabinet specialist can help you design the right cabinets for your vision, whether that vision is an eclectic Austin vibe or a more traditional design.
Appliance Finishes
Almost all new appliances will come with the latest technology, but what colors should you choose? Stainless steel appliances are still popular for many remodelers, so the white (or even 70’s avocado green) appliances will probably look outdated. If standard stainless steel is a bit too commonplace for your style, black stainless steel is an updated look that appeals to many. If you absolutely love matte colors, black slate and slate are new options for appliance colors. Regardless of your personal design aesthetic, there is an appliance finish that is right for you.
Kitchen Islands
A kitchen island can be an invaluable tool for meal prep as well as your favorite place to gather as a family. If you do not already have one, adding an island to your layout could improve functionality and design in your home. Many options include seating in the form of barstools or a multilevel option with a built-in table. Many remodelers will remove walls leading to living areas and use an island as a prep area while still opening the floor plan of their home.
Countertop upgrades
Many years ago, laminate countertops were the norm. They were affordable and great at resisting scratching. While there are many laminate options available today, many homebuyers view laminate as an inferior and cheap product in kitchens. When you remodel, you will want to pick a countertop that conforms to your design aesthetic, while still maintaining your budget. Today, there are a variety of countertop upgrades that are available to conform to any style and budget. Many are durable, beautiful, and require minimal maintenance. Some common types of countertops include granite, marble, soapstone, slate, solid surface, quartz, concrete, recycled glass, stainless steel, and butcher block. There are a plethora of countertop materials to choose from and it is important to do the research necessary to pick the right countertop for your kitchen.
Tile Backsplash
A kitchen backsplash provides a custom look to any remodel. There are thousands of tile choices that can be used for a kitchen backsplash. Even the most eclectic kitchen design has multiple backsplash options. Some remodelers even use the countertop material all the way up the wall giving a seamless, clean look. Even the positioning of the tile can be used to change the look of the kitchen. You can tile to the bottom of the upper cabinets or all the way to the ceiling for a more dramatic finish.
Better Storage
Smarter storage solutions are constantly being created. From pull-out trash cans built into cabinets to thin spice racks that utilize small spaces, storage is an essential part of every kitchen. If you’re tired of kneeling down to dig through the back of your cabinets, pull-out shelves could be a useful storage solution in your kitchen remodel. Instead of cabinets under the stovetop, drawers are a popular option to contain large pots and pans near your cooking area. If you love kitchen appliances, maybe a storage closet is your best use of space. Make sure to discuss your cooking and storage needs with your designer so they can help you work the best storage solutions into your space.
Pantry Makeover
Most pantries come in a standard design. Most of the time, these standard pantry designs have a large amount of wasted space A kitchen remodel allows you to customize your pantry to be everything you need it to be. Dedicated spaces for small appliances, canned foods, pasta, and spices can customize your space to your exact needs and cooking style. Customized shelving allows for larger kitchen appliances that don’t fit the standard shelf size. Sometimes, your pantry is so small, to begin with, that a layout change is necessary to give you more space for all your kitchen needs.
Lighting
New lighting fixtures can make a huge statement. The choices can include over-island pendant lights, recessed lighting, under cabinet lighting, track lighting, chandeliers, and island lights. A combination of these will likely be necessary to give you a bright kitchen that is perfect for cooking and entertaining. The variety of styles that these different types of lighting provide will help bring life to any design aesthetic.
Hardware choices
Burnished bronze was recently popular, but many remodelers are looking to include a variety of metallic colors including brushed nickel, gold, black, or chrome. Sometimes using multiple different finishes in the same kitchen. This can help add character and elegance to a design and keep it interesting. The different types of hardware available also help to confirm your kitchen to your design style. From simplistic to elaborate, there are many different hardware choices. A qualified design professional can help you choose the right hardware to bring your kitchen dreams into reality.
Who do you call for a Kitchen Remodeling Project in Austin?
Designing a new kitchen takes planning, time, and attention to detail. A full-service remodeling company like Hestia Construction and Design can help you bring your kitchen from design to reality. The Hestia renovation process is designed to minimize the time your kitchen is under construction. We work with you to design your kitchen, select and order your materials upfront, and finalize all material deliveries before the project is cleared for demolition. That way, Hestia can complete your kitchen remodel more efficiently and reduce the headache caused by unnecessary delays.
Our goal at Hestia is to deliver open communication with our clients and support them throughout the kitchen renovation process. We build our client relationships on trust and consistently exceed expectations. This unprecedented approach to customer communication and quality is commonly called “The Hestia Difference” and is one of the many reasons our clients love us. “The Hestia Difference” combines stunning design, a unique planning process, exceptional customer service, and quality craftsmanship. Contact us at (832) 399-2060 or through our online contact form to start your kitchen remodel as quickly as possible.
Top 10 Kitchen Remodel Austin Tips for Summertime — Austin, Texas
