At Mountainside, we renovate plenty of kitchens. From small galley kitchens to huge, open concept entertainer's dream kitchens, We've done them all. While the renovations are different, some things are the same. Here are some things to consider when renovating your kitchen:
Dining Rooms
Many of our renovations involve an undersized (and over-used) kitchen, and an over-sized (and under-used) formal dining room. I've seen many cases where families will cram into an eating nook in the kitchen for years, because the formal dining room is just too...formal to be used on a daily basis. If you have a separated kitchen and dining room, think about opening up the space between them, to create a seamless kitchen/dining area.
Current Trends
As I mentioned above, it's becoming increasingly common to combine separated rooms into a more "open-concept" space. This is becoming increasingly popular, because our way of entertaining, hosting, and interacting with others is changing. It used to be that one person would be in the kitchen preparing food, while the other one was with the guests, acting as a host. Our clients continually tell us that more and more, guests are ending up in the kitchen to chat, so that everyone can be in one place. Why not make one larger, connected area to keep everyone connected?
Cabinets:
There are two main types of materials used to build cabinet boxes: Particle board or plywood. Aesthetically, you normally can't tell the difference. Then why is plywood around 15% more expensive? It will last much longer. The Particle board will slowly break down, but plywood will often last as long as the people living in the house. Do your research on the two, check them out, and make your decision based on your budget, needs, and how long you want the kitchen to last.
Looking for some great kitchen cabinet companies?
I'd recommend checking out JMV woodworks at www.jmvwoodworks.ca
Or Pilats Custom Woodworks at www.pilatscustom.com
Counter tops:
There are many types of counter tops that that can be used. Here are a few options:
- Laminate: Arborite (Laminate) counters are the least expensive (and least durable) counter surface available. They are functional and affordable, but be sure to use hot pads, as they can't handle hot temperatures like the other solid-surface products
- Granite: Granite is more expensive than Arborite, but still significantly cheaper than most other solid surface counters. It is made of real rock, which is cut to size and sealed before use. Due to the fact that it is real rock, it is porous, and must be re-sealed every few years.
-Cambria, Quartz, Silestone, Caesarstone: I know, I should not be combining these all into one category, but lets be honest, they are all pretty similar. While Silestone has microban built in, Cambria has better color selection. These are all manufactured solid surface products that are not porous. No maintenance, beautiful colors, and all of them will be on the higher end of the price range.
Bringing it all together:
While I touched on a few topics, it will be the help of a skilled designer that can bring it all together to look great, and add value and functionality to your home. In my opinion, if you're thinking about renovating your kitchen, take your time and do your research. It's not worth rushing into a major investment.
Here are some pictures of our projects to help inspire you:
And one office kitchen:
