How Much Does It Cost To Renovate A Kitchen?

How Much Does It Cost To Renovate A Kitchen?

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development American Housing Survey, the median age of an owner-occupied home in the United States was 35 years in 2011, and it's even older now. With few new homes being built post-recession, the chances are good that the home you buy is in need of some major renovations.

For most homebuyers, the most important room is the kitchen, the heart and soul of any home. But if your kitchen is from another generation, it might not meet your needs. It may be closed off the way kitchens were in the 1950s or have outmoded cabinets, drawers and appliances that don't function as well as today's products.

No matter what needs to be done, get ready to spend some real money. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) suggests that you allocate your kitchen remodeling budget somewhere along these lines. One third of your budget is going to cabinets and another 25 percent to appliances and ventilation, and countertops. Approximately one fourth of your expenses will go toward designer fees, labor and installation. You can also get a lot of bang for the buck with new faucets, lighting, doors and windows.

Obviously, the quality of materials you choose will make a big difference to the amount you spend. The cost of living impacts labor, and you could find yourself paying quite a bit if you make changes to the footprint of the kitchen like relocating the sink or range and tearing out walls. Change orders for the contractor can also drive up costs.

So what will you pay to renovate your kitchen? Cost estimates are all over the place.

HomeAdvisor estimates that the average cost to remodel a kitchen is $20,000, with most homeowners spending between $10,630 and $30,000. Houzz says the average is about $25,000, but that figure includes do-it-yourself kitchens as well as those that used kitchen designers.

Kitchen designers work with interior designers for a seamless ambiance with the rest of the home. A HadleyCourt.com survey of professional kitchen designers, remodelers and HVAC experts found that a 200 square foot kitchen remodel in major metros was $120,000 to $150,000, and $80,000 in secondary real estate markets.

The best way to determine the cost of remodeling your new home's kitchen is to decide whether the changes you want to make are mostly cosmetic or structural. Then decide if you want to DIY or hire professionals. You can certainly paint, install new tile and countertops, and buy new appliances, but if you want to improve the functionality or size of the kitchen or move any plumbing or electrical, you should hire a kitchen designer for best results.

Don't avoid buying a home you love because it needs renovations. Chances are good that you're going to get the home at a discount because it needs updates. This is your opportunity to make the home your own.

Source: Blance Evans, RealtyTimes

http://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/homeownersadvice1/item/34671-20150501-how-much-does-it-cost-to-renovate-a-kitchen

Creating a Glamorous Kitchen

Creating a Glamorous Kitchen

Used to be the kitchen was a hardwearing, hidden-from-the-rest-of-the-house space that was all about utility, nothing about attraction. Today's kitchens look as good as they live, especially when a few glamorous touches are thrown in.

"Luxe textiles and reflective pieces add excitement to contemporary interiors," said Houzz. And that's never been more true than in today's kitchen. Just witness the return of brass, now being seen in fixtures, finishes, and even appliances. For warmth and luxe factor, it doesn't get much better than the antithesis of cool stainless and brushed nickel.

Also see: Brass Is Back In Town!

Check out these glamourpuss kitchens and tell us you're not ready to up the luxe quotient in your kitchen.

Glam doesn't mean overhauling your whole kitchen. Sometimes, one spectacular chandelier is all you need to transform a space from "Just OK" to "Holy cow." A gathering of modern Kelly green chairs doesn't hurt either.



If you're looking for one spot to start in glamorizing your kitchen, lighting is a good place to start.

"Chandeliers and pendants are the perfect accessory to not only brighten your kitchen but change the mood of the space," said House Beautiful. "Standard lights that come in most homes and rentals are uniform, change it up and give the most used room in your house some personality or an unexpected element."



It doesn't get much glam than a room full of Calacatta marble.



Don't want to update your counters or your lighting? Modern tin ceilings bring in a little shine from the top down.



It's all in the details. This kitchen featured in Domaine takes showstopping lighting and pairs it with a contrasting paneled island and uniquely detailed range hood.



You can also achieve glam status without baubles and reflective surfaces, as proven by this modern industrial kitchen, which happens to belong to actress Hillary Duff. The loft-like space's hard edges are softened by the plush seating.



Speaking of plush fabrics…a banquette can be utilitarian or it can be luxurious. Or, it can be both. The curvy lines of the table legs and chairs and the sleek modern light fixture overhead create the ideal space for dining and relaxing.



Source: RealtyTimes, Jaymi Naciri
http://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/homeownersadvice1/item/34571-20150427-creating-a-glamorous-kitchen

Breakfast Nooks That'll Change The Way You Use Your Kitchen

Breakfast Nooks That'll Change The Way You Use Your Kitchen
Written by Jaymi Naciri on Sunday, 15 February 2015 8:01 am

A breakfast nook is one of the most desirable features for today's families, serving as the ideal spot for casual meals, homework, art projects, meal planning, and catching up at the end of the day.

"Whether you're drinking your orange juice and reading on a bleary-eyed weekday or gathering with the whole family for pancakes on Saturday, a breakfast nook is an ideal place to start your day," said Houzz.

"A mix of built-in booths, banquettes, chairs, tables curved or rectilinear, dimmable light and throw pillows makes for cozy spots where you can get a jump on things. Breakfast nooks also work hard the rest of the day as homework stations and intimate spots for candlelit dinners."

You can have a perfectly configured spot under a sunny wall of windows or an odd, small corner that takes a little ingenuity to plan, and a breakfast nook can shine in either thanks to a seemingly endless array of options both custom and store bought. One thing is certain—with a breakfast nook, the way you use your kitchen will change, for the better.

Built-in benches and a bookcase create a cozy space.

A row of cabinets in front of a bank of windows turns a pretty, blank space into a pretty, useful one.

"Don't have a built-in breakfast nook? Try making one yourself by adding a small table to a sunny corner that doesn't get a lot of use," said Huffington Post. Here, a round table and corner benches maximize space and utility.

A built-in nook works well even in a space without right angles.

Have the space in the center of your kitchen but not so much a separate space? Incorporate a breakfast nook right into your island.

A banquette with extra storage serves multiple purposes.

A banquette can be as fancy as you want.

Use it as a showcase for your personal style.

Don't want to spend a lot? You can DIY your banquette using IKEA cabinets or bookcases.

Breakfast Nooks That'll Change The Way You Use Your Kitchen