In our new weekly series called 10 Things Nobody Tells You, we unpack remodeling basics that first-timers might not know… and reveal a few things even seasoned renovators might find surprising.
In our new weekly series called 10 Things Nobody Tells You, we unpack remodeling basics that first-timers might not know… and reveal a few things even seasoned renovators might find surprising.
In this week’s installment, we’re tackling one of the biggest projects homeowners might face: the kitchen remodel.
In this week’s installment, we’re tackling one of the biggest projects homeowners might face: the kitchen remodel.
Photograph by Matthew Williams and styling by Alexa Hotz for Remodelista, from A Luminous, Euro-Style Row House in Washington, DC, Courtesy of Studio Oink.
Photograph by Matthew Williams and styling by Alexa Hotz for Remodelista, from A Luminous, Euro-Style Row House in Washington, DC, Courtesy of Studio Oink.
According to Remodeling magazine, the national average cost for a full, midrange kitchen remodel is—brace yourself—about $66,000.
According to Remodeling magazine, the national average cost for a full, midrange kitchen remodel is—brace yourself—about $66,000.
1. It’s (really) expensive.
1. It’s (really) expensive.
Surprisingly, though, Remodeling reports that doing a full-on remodel won’t necessarily boost resale value; on average, home sellers only recoup about 60 percent of the remodeling costs.
Surprisingly, though, Remodeling reports that doing a full-on remodel won’t necessarily boost resale value; on average, home sellers only recoup about 60 percent of the remodeling costs.
Consider that cliché icebreaker question: Who would you invite to a dinner party? If you want to bake and cook at the same time or entertain frequently, you might consider two; see our breakdown of How to Choose Between a Range, Cooktop, and Wall Oven in the Kitchen.
Consider that cliché icebreaker question: Who would you invite to a dinner party? If you want to bake and cook at the same time or entertain frequently, you might consider two; see our breakdown of How to Choose Between a Range, Cooktop, and Wall Oven in the Kitchen.
2. Think about who’s coming to dinner.
2. Think about who’s coming to dinner.
Photograph from Kitchen of the Week: A Monumental Marble Countertop.
Photograph from Kitchen of the Week: A Monumental Marble Countertop.
3. Choosing your countertops is one part aesthetics and two parts practicality.
3. Choosing your countertops is one part aesthetics and two parts practicality.
You’ll also need to imagine your future self in your kitchen when choosing your countertops. If you’re okay with material that requires maintenance (and won’t always look perfect), you might go for marble or soapstone.
You’ll also need to imagine your future self in your kitchen when choosing your countertops. If you’re okay with material that requires maintenance (and won’t always look perfect), you might go for marble or soapstone.
Photograph from House Call: Endless Summer in a London Victorian, as seen in Remodeling 101: In Praise of Wall-Mounted Faucets.
Photograph from House Call: Endless Summer in a London Victorian, as seen in Remodeling 101: In Praise of Wall-Mounted Faucets.
4. You should opt for a wall-mounted faucet.
4. You should opt for a wall-mounted faucet.
When choosing a faucet, you might be inclined to choose a standard deck-mounted model and not think much about it. But daring to install a wall-mounted faucet, as Julie did in her Brooklyn Heights apartment, is a small choice that can make a big impact.
When choosing a faucet, you might be inclined to choose a standard deck-mounted model and not think much about it. But daring to install a wall-mounted faucet, as Julie did in her Brooklyn Heights apartment, is a small choice that can make a big impact.
In addition to focusing on big-picture elements like tiling and countertops, don’t forget to plan for proper ventilation (read all about Ceiling-Mounted Recessed Kitchen Vents) and outlets (see Where to Locate Electrical Outlets, Kitchen Edition).
In addition to focusing on big-picture elements like tiling and countertops, don’t forget to plan for proper ventilation (read all about Ceiling-Mounted Recessed Kitchen Vents) and outlets (see Where to Locate Electrical Outlets, Kitchen Edition).
5. The unsexy details can make or break your project.
5. The unsexy details can make or break your project.
Ikea boxes fitted with custom cabinet fronts from Naked Doors, as seen in A Star Is Born: A Rehabbed London Maisonette from a Newly Minted Designer, High/Low Secrets Included.
Ikea boxes fitted with custom cabinet fronts from Naked Doors, as seen in A Star Is Born: A Rehabbed London Maisonette from a Newly Minted Designer, High/Low Secrets Included.
Photograph by Richard Round-Turner.
Photograph by Richard Round-Turner.
There are a lot of cabinet styles out there. When it comes to hardwearing and timeless styles, there are only six types of cabinets you need to know.
There are a lot of cabinet styles out there. When it comes to hardwearing and timeless styles, there are only six types of cabinets you need to know.
6. You can hack your Ikea kitchen cabinets.
6. You can hack your Ikea kitchen cabinets.
Sure, a single-bowl sink appears more streamlined and fits better in a small space. But a double-bowl sink means you can divide and conquer dishes, wash vegetables without getting them near dirty plates, and always have access to the disposal.
Sure, a single-bowl sink appears more streamlined and fits better in a small space. But a double-bowl sink means you can divide and conquer dishes, wash vegetables without getting them near dirty plates, and always have access to the disposal.
7. A double-bowl sink will work harder than a single-bowl sink.
7. A double-bowl sink will work harder than a single-bowl sink.
Think of kitchen appliances like cars: as soon as they leave the showroom, they depreciate.
Think of kitchen appliances like cars: as soon as they leave the showroom, they depreciate.
8. You can buy pre-owned appliances at a discount.
8. You can buy pre-owned appliances at a discount.
Fortunately you can source hardworking, lightly used appliances at a fraction of the cost, as many homeowners and designers we know have done; for our favorite sources, see Remodeling 101: 8 Sources for Used Appliances.
Fortunately you can source hardworking, lightly used appliances at a fraction of the cost, as many homeowners and designers we know have done; for our favorite sources, see Remodeling 101: 8 Sources for Used Appliances.
9. Make sure to double-check everything when it arrives.
9. Make sure to double-check everything when it arrives.
“On work sites, packages tend to pile up but they’re not always opened. It’s wise to make sure that what you’ve received is exactly what you were expecting down to the color and finish,” advises mother-daughter team Matriarchy Build.
“On work sites, packages tend to pile up but they’re not always opened. It’s wise to make sure that what you’ve received is exactly what you were expecting down to the color and finish,” advises mother-daughter team Matriarchy Build.
For more advice on how to avoid renovation perils and pitfalls (like having the wrong thing demo’ed—yes, that’s really happened), see How to Avoid Rookie Remodeling Mistakes: 9 Tips from Mother-Daughter House Flippers Matriarchy Build.
For more advice on how to avoid renovation perils and pitfalls (like having the wrong thing demo’ed—yes, that’s really happened), see How to Avoid Rookie Remodeling Mistakes: 9 Tips from Mother-Daughter House Flippers Matriarchy Build.
Photograph from A Budget Renovation for a Stylish LA Guest House (Available for Rent), courtesy of Jessica Comingore of the Elysian Edit.
Photograph from A Budget Renovation for a Stylish LA Guest House (Available for Rent), courtesy of Jessica Comingore of the Elysian Edit.
10. You might not need a full remodel.
10. You might not need a full remodel.
Remember: the days of big, expensive kitchens are past (even kitchen islands are no longer necessary).
Remember: the days of big, expensive kitchens are past (even kitchen islands are no longer necessary).
