BKRF Kitchen Remodeling of Cambridge Tips:
Determine The Kitchen Layout That Will Suit Your Needs The Best
Have you ever found yourself hanging out in the kitchen during the holidays or at a party? The kitchen is definitely the very heart of the house, and during the past 50 years, the kitchen has moved from its position in the back of the home to become the center of attention. What was once a dead end in the home, the kitchen has been transformed into a contemporary application that is found frequently in a great room setting that promotes the open floor plan of the house. Although the modern appeal of the kitchen now doubles as a space for social gathering,s one thing has stayed constant:
The work-triangle is something that a majority of people are familiar with. It refers to the optimal spacing and relationship between the refrigerator, stove, and sink, with the spacing in between them being a maximum of 6 feet apart. The appropriate “work-triangle” has been designed for reducing unnecessary steps while cooking inside the kitchen.
Use High-Quality Materials
Cabinets offer the kitchen its heart and soul and also help to set the entire home’s style and tone. So whether you prefer a contemporary kitchen or more traditional look, the cabinet doors and drawer fronts that you choose help to accentuate your kitchen’s beauty, while determining a lot of its durability as well. It’s critical to consider both the strength and function of the material, along with the aesthetics, which includes both style and color. A large share of the overall kitchen budget is to balance cost, durability, and aesthetics of the cabinets.
Although there are a number of different available cabinet materials, the most popular currently are solid hardwoods, synthetics, and wood veneers.
Common Popular Solid Hardwoods:
Alder: This has continued to be a popular solid hardwood choice due to its subtle grain appearance, a wide selection of available stain colors, and low cost. The natural nut brown undertones of Alder enable it to take stain that is similar to red cherry, a dark walnut, or light colored maple. Within the overall hardwood category, alder is a softer wood, so it isn’t that tough. It is an excellent economical option for stained raised panel wood that has a high-end appearance in traditional and rustic kitchen styles.
The popularity of this solid hardwood is maintained due to its affordable cost and great versatility. The natural brown nut undertones and subtle grain of alder allow many different stain options to be used. Well stained Alder can provide the appearance of many other types of wood including red cherry, dark walnut, and light-colored maple. Alder is somewhat softer compared to other hardwoods so it might not resist wear and tear quite as well. Overall, it is an excellent economical option for stained woods and decorative raised panels to provide a high-end finished appearance that is best suited for traditional and rustic kitchen styles.
Poplar: Great economical option for painted kitchens. Its natural green undertones make it hard to stain. Softer hardwood, not as durable as oak and maple, and a bit softer compared to alder. Painted poplar will provide a French country style white kitchen with the same appearance as maple but for a lower cost. However, it does not resist nicks well. It is used typically for high-end decorative painted trim like crown moldings and white wainscoting in French and traditional country kitchen designs.
Cherry: Higher-end material option that provides a rich red undertone and exceptional durability. It is frequently found in refined traditional and formal kitchens. Alder is a more economical substitute that can achieve the same elegant appearance, but durability is sacrificed.
Maple: A wood that is very hard that features a mild grain pattern. That material can hold paint, or take a dark or natural stain and is also very durable. It is more expensive than the poplar as a type of paint grain alternative and cost more than alder when it comes to being a stain grade alternative. However, over the long term, maple can hold up better.
Wood veneers – Most woods that are used commonly for making hardwood doors are also available in thin sheets that are called veneers and applied over medium density fiberboard (MDF) or resin particle board. This kind of door construction achieves a clean appearance with a natural wood finish that is found quite often in contemporary kitchens. When kitchen cabinet doors are made in a flat wide style they cannot resist warping, so a wood veneer is utilized to create a solid wood door appearance without losing any stability. When choosing a specific kind of veneer wood, a significant factor of its long term durability is the hardness of the wood. Cherry and maple are the toughest woods, while poplars and alders are the least durable or softest. Cost is often fairly comparable to solid raised panel doors using similar species of wood.
Synthetics – This is a similar process to the previously discussed wood veneer, except that veneer material is a type of PVC substance that tends to cost less and be more durable. It is frequently utilized in commercial applications as well as practical residential applications like laundry rooms and garages.
Decide Whether To Stain or Paint
The debate rages on, whether to stain or paint. I will leave out my biases on this (although it is easier to maintain stain, paint is still preferred quite often) and discuss and main pros and cons of each:
Stain
Colors are available in a wide variety of shades
Touch-ups and repairs are easier.
Easier keeping your cabinet looking great for long periods of time.
Fewer steps and less expensive.
Maintenance is made easier by glazing or distressing.
For DIYers is a great option.
Paint
Among homeowners is probably the most popular choice
To finish is more expensive and more process stains are required compared to stain
Refinished frequently requires your existing colors to be matched by professionals
Touch-ups may be hard to do.
Refinishing frequently requires your existing colors to be matched by professionals.
On average is 10 to 12% more expensive compared to stain (an additional $2,000 on a $20,000 kitchen project).
Choose The Right Colors
For a kitchen remodel is may appear to be the easiest thing to do. However, selecting the right colors either can provide a room with harmony, or create a bad or wrong impression. According to basic color theory, there are different meanings for different colors and in general, are either relaxing or stimulating. The following is a list of rainbow colors and what their meanings are:
Violet: Decreases Appetite/Relaxing/Balance
Indigo; Decreases Appetite/Relaxing
Blue: Decreases Appetite/Relaxing
Green: Balance/Relaxing
Yellow: Increase Appetite/Stimulating
Orange: Increases Appetite/Stimulating
Red: Increases Appetite/Stimulating
Your kitchen should combine both stimulating and relaxing colors. It is hard working in a kitchen that is too stimulating or too relaxing. “A balance is needed.
Breaking the Horizontal Line
Stagger the depth, length, and height of your wall cabinets. The horizontal lines on the bottom and top row of the cabinets can provide your kitchen with a static and rigid appearance. Breaking the horizontal line can give an updated look to your kitchen remodel.
Build Bridges, Instead of Walls. Today’s new kitchen walls are peninsulas and islands.
Over the past 30 years or so, the open floor plan has continued to increase in popularity and a great room’s function (which contains living, dining and kitchen space is turning into the norm. In the past, we have done many remodels that have transformed floor plans that were compartmentalized into open contemporary floor plans that were achieved by knocking down barrier walls that were in between the living room and kitchen. Instead of a kitchen’s borders being defined by walls, a better alternative is provided by islands and peninsulas. They help to prevent the kitchen from visually spilled over into other areas in the home and allow the cook to be able to maintain conversational and visual contact with guests and family members.
Locate a Creative Contractor Who Has Realistic Ideas And Expertise
When it comes to kitchen remodeling (or overall home remodeling), there is no such thing as a one size fits all method. This is why it is very important that a contractor is found who has access to designers who can create unique solutions that individually meet the needs of your kitchen. The design/build model is a popular model that contractors are starting to use.
Typically the traditional remodels involve a designer or architect, a general contractor, and an engineer. All three are combined with the design/build model into a single convenient package. When you allow one company to oversee your entire kitchen remodeling project, it will save you both headaches and money. A creative contractor will also offer you practical design solutions that might have been overlooked otherwise.
One example is to use your existing kitchen footprint creatively. That helps to save money on plumbing, floors, and other types of minor expenses to allow more of your money to be spent on a larger kitchen remodel features.
Choosing the Appropriate Kitchen Countertops
Countertops are a critical component of your kitchen since they can help to provide your kitchen with a specific tone that is representative of your lifestyle. So if you have been shopping, then most likely you already know there are a number of other alternatives that are available besides laminate or granite.
Choosing the Right Kitchen Sink
A kitchen remodel includes everything and also the kitchen sink. The function will usually outweigh appearance when it comes to a kitchen sink. Many different styles of sinks are available but is very important to take into consideration how you are planning on using your kitchen sink. Also, it is essential to select a sink that is appropriate for your kitchen’s size.
For kitchens under 150 square feet, it is recommended that a 22 x 24-inch standard single bowl be used. For a bigger kitchen, multiple bowl options are frequently recommended and if there will be numerous cooks working in the kitchen, then you might want to add a secondary bar sink.
Provide Your Kitchen With The Right Lighting
What good is it to have the ideal kitchen remodel if you are unable to see all of its new features? If it is close Under mount lighting is an excellent way of adding luminosity into areas that would be void in the kitchen otherwise. They are an excellent way to accent the features of your kitchen like glassware or a unique tile backsplash.
The most popular way by far of lighting a kitchen is using recessed lighting. It has become the standard lighting option in contemporary houses.
Natural lighting beats everything. That is when it comes in handy to use a combination of natural, task, and ambient lighting.
Typically pendant lights are used as a form of task lighting over a kitchen peninsula or island. They are the ideal design element that helps to accentuate your kitchen’s tone.
A few words about Cambridge and why we love to work on kitchen remodeling projects in Cambridge MA area:
If you plan to visit Cambridge MA in the near future you may be wondering about the things that make it famous. Allow us to indulge your curiosity by telling you about a few of them now.
Harvard Museum Of Natural History
History museums are one of those attractions that can draw people from near and far. With everything that is on offer at this impressive choice in history museums, it is little wonder that we note it as one of the things that makes Cambridge MA famous.
Harvard Arts Museums
On the topic of museums, the art museums in this area are nothing short of spectacular. Opened in 1896 the Fogg Museum is well known for its collection of Western paintings, as well as its sculptures which date from the Middle Ages right through to our day Indeed, there are many majestic sights to behold for visitors who take the time to put this attraction on their itinerary.
Longfellow House National Historic Site Headquarters
This site was the home of the famous American poet Henry Wadsworth and is certainly one of the things that Cambridge MA is well-known for, in fact, it can draw many visitors to the area. Built in 1759, the house was headquarters for General George Washington from the years of 1775 to 1776, during the Revolutionary War.
Indeed, if you plan to visit Cambridge MA either for a vacation or even for a longer period of time in the near future, you will certainly find that there is plenty to do and see. What we have highlighted above is simply the tip of the iceberg when it comes to things that the area is famous for. We are sure you will find many more hidden gems as you explore Cambridge MA, as well as the surrounding area.