Suppose you have a kitchen that feels dated, or cluttered, or dysfunctional, or that just doesn’t work for you. And yet you’ve been hesitating to pull the trigger and dive into a remodel.
We understand.
Remodeling can be a stressful and expensive process, especially if you decide to do the work, or even just parts of the work, alone on your own time. And there are a lot of decisions to make along the way. Besides, no one wants to live and work around a half-finished project if they don’t have to, and your current kitchen works just fine—right?
But then again, depending on you and your situation, there probably are some reasons why you really should take the plunge and make your kitchen space into the hard-working haven you deserve.
1. The Kitchen is the Beating Heart of the Home
It’s often said that the heart of a home is its kitchen. And to us, this is absolutely true.
Kitchens and dining areas are where our families come together to eat and fellowship, where friends mingle while we host and entertain, and where we and our children go when we have homework or a project that demands a large workspace and good lighting.
Kitchens are where our paths cross, and where we are filled up with the togetherness (and the food and drink) that we need to live. So it’s only natural that kitchens are also most in-demand home spaces when it comes to remodeling and renovation.
2. Time and Ease
Think about how many meals you cook in a week, in a month, or in a year. Consider all of that time, all of those steps and motions, all of that energy… For some of us, that’s as much as three hours of work a day in the kitchen, an eighth of an entire life (give or take).
So, when it comes to your kitchen you’re working hard. But is your kitchen working hard too?
Every single kitchen layout needs to be designed with the work triangle in mind. This is the space between your stove, refrigerator, and sink, and the space that we cross most repeatedly in the course of preparing meals and cleaning up after them.
An ideal kitchen layout will have these features in close but not immediate proximity without obstacles or hazards in the way. Otherwise, the simple act of making food will take more energy and generate more frustration than it deserves, wasting effort and making these important daily tasks harder than they really need to be.
3. New Technology
An updated kitchen can also be energy-efficient in a more literal sense, as remodeling gives you a chance to invest in new systems that use less energy, saving you money and making it easier and more efficient to produce food and simply continue living and owning your home long-term.
Examples include LED lighting, high-efficiency dishwashers, updated refrigerator designs, convection or steam ovens, induction cooktops, dual-fuel ranges, home automation technology, skylights, and much more.
4. Increased Home Value
Kitchens aren’t only the core space for those living in your home, they’re also front and center for anyone considering buying your home. And, whereas a dated kitchen can bring down the value of an otherwise attractive property, an updated and modernized kitchen can likewise elevate the rest of a home as a whole.
So don’t think of your remodel as an expense. Consider an investment, and remember that buyers and appraisers are often especially interested in high-ticket features like granite countertops, hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances, contemporary cabinet doors, and statement lighting.
5. Future-Proofing
Universal Design is a leading approach to interior design and remodeling that focuses on features that are easy for as many different people to use as possible, especially those who have issues with standing, walking, vision, grasping, reaching, or other common motions.
Universal design features can often offer remarkable value to homeowners as they or other family members age, if an injury occurs, or if a potential home buyer has some form of disability.
Universal Design elements for kitchens often feel pleasantly high-end and include things like extra wide doorways and passages that can fit a wheelchair walker, anti-slip flooring materials, raised toe-kicks, pull-out cabinet drawers, countertop-level appliances, easy-press switches with nightlights, and other details that subtly reduce the need to bend, crouch, reach, or search.
Ready to Get Started?
There’s a lot to be said for the emotional benefits that come with having a kitchen you can be proud of and that you want others to see. Beautiful, uncluttered spaces are a natural mood elevator, and with all the time you spend at home it makes sense to build space that your entire family can enjoy.
But remodeling can also be scary and stressful, which is why so many homeowners never take that first step and get started, or put their project off for years at a time.
That’s where we come in. At Amber Valley Construction we offer leading West Michigan home and kitchen remodeling services including high quality designs, demolition, installation, and finishing. From start to finish we can walk you through the remodeling journey, offering clear communication, timelines, and pricing to eliminate the stress and help you fall in love with your home all over again.
Just reach out today and we’ll get started, together.