January 22, 2019
|
By: Stanley Walter
This is part 2 of our blog series talking about kitchen renovations and how it affects home value. We are reaching out to people in the Winnipeg real estate professionals to get their thoughts on how kitchen renovations affect home value, and this time we talked to Sheraz Ali with Royal Lepage, who shared his thoughts on the subject with us as well.
As you read through the comments below, you will notice a consistent theme. Work with a reputable company who has the experience to help you accomplish your goals. The cheapest and fastest option might not be the best option, especially if you are looking at increasing the overall value of your home.
His contact information is below.
SHERAZ
As a seasoned real estate professional and developer, the kitchen is widely regarded as the most important room of the home. It is truly the heart of the home. A great kitchen can also be a tedious renovation. Still, your return on investment in a professional and well-designed kitchen can be advantageous and lucrative.
When planning your kitchen, try to open up space as much as possible to create good flow from the living area through to the kitchen. When it comes to excellent kitchen design, good ergonomic planning, and innovative storage are essential. Other things, like upgrading kitchen and bathroom surfaces to more durable materials like slate, quartz, ceramic tile, and even stained concrete, add a more luxurious and quality feel to the room.
Here are some mistakes and tips in regards to a kitchen renovation.
1. Not Working with a Professional Company.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when deciding to undertake a significant kitchen renovation is not working with a professional and trying to do things yourself.
A professional kitchen designer will be able to help you plan your new kitchen layout and incorporate things you may or may not be thinking about, like ample storage space and countertop space. Even the most expensive kitchen can look cheap if it’s poorly installed.
2. Storage Space.
We all have too much stuff. A big complaint we hear from many people about their kitchen space is there isn’t enough storage. Before you invest in new kitchen cabinets, think about how you use your kitchen and what types of items you have that will need to be stored. Entertain a pantry idea or extra cabinet space below the island. Make use of as much space as possible while keeping the design simple.
3. Lighting.
When planning out your next kitchen remodel, work with a design professional who can assist you with planning the right amount of light for your kitchen that will aid in making your space feel larger, brighter, and airier.
4. Kitchen Islands.
If you’re looking to add additional countertop space and opportunities for more storage, a kitchen island is an excellent addition to any kitchen. The heart of any kitchen is a grand kitchen island. An essential part of the kitchen island is the lights that go above it.
Decide if you want your island to blend in with the rest of your kitchen or stand out. Your island is the perfect opportunity to add contrast to your room. And don’t forget to choose your bar stools wisely.
5. Kitchen Trends
We all love the shiny new object that comes out every year, but the thing with trends is that they are here today and gone tomorrow. While it may seem like a great idea to choose the latest high-end appliances or the “it” color of the moment, a couple of months from now that shiny, pricy, slick new item may never get you a return on your investment.
An excellent way to save yourself a lot of heartache and money is to do your research up front and make an informed decision before investing in trendy items.
6. Backsplash
Backsplashes can look beautiful and seem like they are only there for decorative reasons, but the truth is there is a real function to having a backsplash up on a wall.
Backsplashes provide extra protection for your wall while you’re washing dishes and cooking food. Deciding to cut corners to save a few bucks in the short term will eventually become a very costly mistake in the long run.
7. Budget
Did you know that kitchen cabinets alone account for one third of most kitchen renovation budgets? While we can get carried away with designing our dream kitchen, it’s important to establish a solid budget. When your budget starts to get in the way of your ideal kitchen renovation, focus on the areas of your kitchen that need improvement right now. Then you can plan for the other upgrades later on.
Depending on size, a typical renovation could range from $10,000 to $30,000. Do your research, contact several contractors for quotes, and visit show homes in the area for trendy ideas.
Here again, we notice the emphasis being placed on working with a reputable company, but also on some more specific ideas that can help increase your home value. These are all questions you should be asking when planning your kitchen renovation.
This is another reason why you need to work with a professional and reputable company that understands not only proper design & manufacturing concepts, but also functional design. Taking a big space and filling it up with a lot of cabinets that don’t add to the over functionality and ease of use is not going to lead to a pleased homeowner. The kitchen especially is a very private part of the home where a lot of time is spent.
We also found it very interesting when he talked about the lack of storage in a kitchen, and how, for many people, it is their #1 complaint. Our emphasis on the principles of Dynamic Space by Blum can help solve this problem.