Christa’s Tips for a Kitchen Renovation
Time for an updated kitchen? If your family is anything like ours, you spend a ton of time in your kitchen - preparing meals, making endless snacks for the kids, doing homework and hosting family events.
Few renovations have as much of an impact on your home than a kitchen redo. Designing a new kitchen with an efficient layout that works for your family can help you enjoy your home so much. But mistakes here have the potential to bother you everyday, so let’s make sure you get it right!
Here’s the key tips I’ve learned in 15+ years of design experience. We just finished a Brookhaven family kitchen renovation and I’m proud to say, the family is thrilled with the outcome. See more photos from that project here.
Keep these tips in mind and you’ll love your new kitchen too!
1. Select a backsplash that is easy to clean. Save yourself hours of scrubbing splatter and spills. Avoid products that are small with lots of grout lines. I look for a tile size of 3x8 dimensions. A natural material, such as marble, will need to be sealed annually. Synthetic materials, such as a porcelain or ceramic, are low maintenance and don’t require any yearly reminders. Here’s a few of my favorite backsplash selections:
2. Order sample knobs and pulls. You need to feel the weight in your hand to really understand how it will function on your cabinets and drawers. Choose a drawer pull that you find comfortable and would enjoy opening and closing many times a day. I also recommend ordering a few finish options so you can see how they look in different lights. Whether you are mixing metals or sticking with a consistent look, it’s helpful to see the shape and finish in person.
3. Add sconces for a more custom look. They are useful when you need a bit of light to make your morning coffee or grab a midnight snack, but don’t want the full overhead lights. Scones have a luxurious feel and you can find all types of creative styles. Here’s a few of my favorite sconces for beautiful kitchens:
4. Add under the cabinet lighting. This is a genius way to add ambient lighting in the evening. It also creates an upscale feel for your kitchen at a reasonable cost, but it’s very hard to add after the fact. Be sure that your cabinet selection works well with under cabinet lighting.
5. Show your personality. Have some fun with your kitchen. This is the heart of the home and we want it to reflect your family’s unique story. Frame art from a favorite vacation destination. Let your kids make little handprints in the corner. Showcase a favorite family recipe or your cookbook collection. We want your kitchen to be beautiful, functional and personal to you.
6. Add open wall space for shelving at art. Kitchens can start to feel cabinet heavy if every way has a cabinet on it. Even large, spacious kitchens can start to feel crowded with too many cabinets. Try floating shelves on your backsplash or open wall space to create visual interest. I love how the floating shelves open up the space above the dishwasher in this recent kitchen renovation. And it gives you a natural space to show off your favorite glasses or heirloom dishes.
Open shelving breaks up a heavy block of cabinets
7. Consider cream or off-white. White is pretty, but a bright white is hard to clean and requires a lot of upkeep. Try wood if your budget allows or an off white or cream. You can always have a different color island or use a different material on a butlers pantry. Some of my favorite cream paint colors are:
8. Porcelain is the most durable countertop surface. The fabrication pricing has come down and they have beautiful options that mimic natural stone. Quartz is the second most durable material as well and has many manufacturers with different options. When selecting your counter finishes, choose a material that can stand up to spills and stains.
We hope you have fun renovating your kitchen! It’s a great investment in your home and we want you to be thrilled with the outcome.
Have specific questions or design challenge? We’d love to help. Send us a note at christa@markeydesignco.com.