Kitchen Remodeling Lexington KY can revitalize the heart of your home and increase its value. But it can also be expensive, especially if significant changes are involved, like knocking down walls or relocating plumbing.

Keep your costs down by opting for stock cabinetry and resisting fancy add-ons like cabinet and drawer dividers, vertical spice racks, or countertop garages. These will eat into your budget and add little to your kitchen’s functionality.

Cabinetry is one of the biggest components of a kitchen, and its style, color, finish, design, and functionality can make or break your kitchen remodel. It can also be one of the most expensive.

While cabinet costs often consume over a quarter of a remodeling budget, it’s easy to cut back on unnecessary features that will only add to the cost. For example, elaborate crown molding and pilasters can be replaced with simpler designs that will look just as good but be easier on your wallet.

If you’re happy with the layout of your kitchen but would like to change the color or style of the cabinets, consider refinishing them instead of replacing them. This option can be more affordable and will give your old cabinets a fresh new look that you’ll love for years to come.

Kitchen cabinets are a major investment, so you should only refinish them if your original ones are still in good shape. Refinishing is a labor-intensive project that involves sanding and repainting the cabinet boxes, as well as the doors and drawer faces. Cabinet hardware and hinges are usually replaced as well.

The best cabinets are made of solid wood, but for a lower price point, you can also find cabinetry constructed from plywood or particleboard. The quality of the materials used for your cabinetry is important, as the cabinet boxes will need to support the weight of the countertops and handles as well as withstand moisture. Be sure to test the cabinets by pushing on the sides. A soft spot indicates heavy damage and wood that is unsuitable for building upon.

Many homeowners choose to reface their cabinets rather than replace them completely. This option is a quick and affordable way to update your kitchen’s appearance, and it’s especially popular for homeowners who are repairing or replacing their countertop but don’t want to spend the money on all-new cabinetry.

Refacing your cabinets requires gaining access to the cabinet boxes, which may involve removing the existing countertops. If your countertops are granite or marble, you’ll likely want to have a local kitchen remodeling pro assist you during this process to prevent damage and ensure that the new work is done correctly.

Countertops

Countertops are a big part of the kitchen remodeling equation, both in terms of cost and their impact on aesthetics and function. Choosing a new countertop is an exciting opportunity to express your personal style, but it’s also wise to think about maintenance requirements and how the material will hold up under heavy use.

Quartz surfacing has recently overtaken granite as the most popular choice for countertops, and for good reason. This manmade material mimics the look of stone and is practically stain-proof, scratch-proof, and chip-proof. It comes in a range of colors and patterns and can be molded to create one-piece units with sinks integrated into the surface.

Marble and other natural stone counters add a luxe aesthetic, but they require frequent sealing and can be damaged by hot pans or knives. They also require specialized cleaning solutions and can be etched by acidic foods like citrus or vinegar.

Concrete counters are another option, with an industrial look that can boost your home’s resale value. This durable material is cast in-house and comes in a wide range of color options. Properly sealed concrete can last up to 100 years or more and requires only regular cleaning with pH-neutral soap. It’s important to note that these surfaces can crack or be damaged if exposed to extreme heat, so using trivets is recommended.

Another way to add flair and function to your counters is with a decorative backsplash. Tiles are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and patterns and can be used to create intricate mosaics or simple geometric designs. If you’re planning to install a backsplash during your remodel, it’s smart to do it before the cabinets and countertops go on to save labor costs, minimize the chance of paint drips, and ensure that all surfaces meet at a perfect line when they join.

When you replace your counters, it’s a good time to change out the sink plumbing as well. You may find that a different drain pipe configuration is required for your new counters, and you’ll want to be sure the new setup meets local plumbing codes to avoid costly issues down the road.

Flooring

Flooring is a major component of your kitchen that can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of the space. Installing new floors is a great way to add some style and functionality to the room, and it’s also an easy way to transform your entire kitchen without spending a fortune.

The question of whether to install cabinets or floors first is a common one during kitchen remodeling, and the answer isn’t as black and white as you might think. The truth is that it depends on your specific situation as well as what you’re planning on doing with the rest of your home in the future.

For example, if you’re installing hardwood floors, it’s usually best to do this before you install the cabinets, as it will protect the floor from damage during the cabinet installation process. Similarly, it’s generally better to put down tiles before the cabinets, as this will prevent the need to cut and fit the tile around any existing or new appliances and cabinets.

In addition, if you’re remodeling your kitchen to accommodate a built-in refrigerator or other appliance that isn’t at standard height, it might be necessary to raise the appliance with plywood risers before you install the flooring. If you do this, it’s a good idea to consider using a different type of floor than the one you’re going to use throughout the rest of your home. This will prevent any color or pattern differences between the two rooms.

If you’re installing new cabinets before laying down your floor, then it’s important to protect the existing or newly installed flooring with sheeting, cardboard, or another barrier. If you don’t, then the weight of the cabinets and any other items stored inside them can cause damage to the flooring over time. This is especially true if you’re remodeling with wood flooring, which can crack or buckle under heavy items.

No matter which method you choose, it’s essential to hire a licensed contractor for the installation of your floors and cabinets during your kitchen remodel. This will ensure the work is done correctly and will not cause any problems down the road. Contact 50 Floor to schedule an at-home flooring consultation today and see how we can help you get the kitchen of your dreams!

Lighting

Lighting is often overlooked during kitchen remodeling, but it’s one of the most important aspects of the design. It can highlight key elements of your style, add a sense of drama, and create a comfortable atmosphere for cooking and entertaining.

Lighting can be categorized into three categories: task, accent, and decorative. Each category serves a different purpose and can enhance the overall look of your kitchen. Task lighting, such as under-cabinet lights, is ideal for illuminating work surfaces and can be regulated using a dimmer switch. Accent lighting highlights specific design features or pieces, such as an architectural oven hood or work of art. This type of lighting can be achieved with track or recessed fixtures, uplighters, wall sconces, and pendants. Accent lighting is also a great way to illuminate items within glass-front cabinets, such as a collection of pottery or crystal.

If you are planning on incorporating natural lighting into your kitchen design, it’s important to consider dependability and temperature changes. Because the sun moves throughout the day, it can change the intensity of light in your kitchen. To avoid this, it’s recommended to install light-sensing artificial fixtures that automatically adjust based on sunlight intensity.

Another way to boost natural lighting in your kitchen is to increase its reflective surface area. Glass, chrome, and other metallic surfaces reflect light better than matte or opaque materials. As such, they can help brighten a space that’s limited by the available window area.