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However, before that, let’s find some answers to a question on
How should you layout a small kitchen without risking a large investment?
When designing or remodeling a small kitchen, it’s important to keep certain things in mind as you lay out the floor plan, but several practical considerations can help you make the most of your space. It’s not uncommon for many homeowners to feel overwhelmed when faced with the prospect of making their home improvement plans. However, if you’ve ever had to work within a limited budget, you know exactly how difficult this task can be.
Luckily, you can use some simple tips and tricks to make your small kitchen layout easier to execute. If you’re looking to create an open-concept space for cooking and entertaining, here are some useful guidelines to help you achieve a well-designed layout without breaking the bank.
1. Keep It Simple
When creating a small kitchen, the first rule of thumb is to keep things as simple as possible. The less clutter you have in the area, the better. Even though it may seem counterintuitive, the fewer appliances you have, the more space you’ll have to work with. This doesn’t mean you want to give up on any features you enjoy having around the kitchen. Rather, focus on removing unused pieces of equipment or cabinets that don’t add much value to the overall space.
For example, you might consider removing all the drawers from your refrigerator and replacing them with shelves. Likewise, you could swap out the dishwasher and trash compactor for a garbage disposal unit and sink faucet combo. If you need extra storage space, opt for a set of under-the-counter pantry cabinets instead of investing in a separate cabinet system.
Another tip for keeping your kitchen simple is avoiding using multiple appliances. Instead, choose only two or three items per appliance—ovens, refrigerators, stoves, or microwaves. For instance, if you’re planning on installing a double oven, think about buying one model with both top and bottom burners so that you can cook food on each side simultaneously.
2. Don’t Forget Functionality
One key reason why you might be interested in adding a second kitchen to your home is that you want everyone in the family to have a place to eat together. So while the aesthetics of a small space can lend themselves to a more casual atmosphere, you still want to maintain a functional kitchen.
To do this, you might consider adding a center island countertop. In addition to providing plenty of additional counter space, this feature will allow you to arrange cooking utensils, pots, pans, and other equipment in a way that makes it easy to access everything in the area. If you have room for this piece of furniture, it could become a great spot for meals, drinks, homework, and much more.
3. Choose Your Appliances Wisely
While it’s not necessary to go crazy with appliances, you certainly want to give yourself enough options to accommodate different types of food preparation. A good rule of thumb is to aim for six or eight appliance models. That way, you won’t be left completely defenseless if something breaks down.
If you’re unsure what models you need, try going through your kitchen cabinets to find ones that match your needs. If you already have an abundance of appliances, you might want to consider purchasing just one new item instead.
4. Organize Everything You Need
To prevent chaos, you’ll need to organize all the necessary equipment and supplies to prepare food. To get started, pull everything out of your cabinets and put it away in its proper place. Then, label each item to indicate what it does. Once you’ve done that, you can start arranging everything by type.
For example, you might group your spices, then arrange your food prep bowls, measuring cups, and spoons. Afterward, you can put your cutting boards, knives, and other sharp objects into a separate section. Next, you can move on to putting your baking supplies, plates, and flatware in another area. Finally, you can sort your dishwashing products and utensils into groups based on their purpose.
5. Avoid Clutter With Colorful Cabinets
A common mistake people tend to make when working with a small kitchen is filling every inch of space with cabinets. While it’s understandable why they’d want to do this, you don’t necessarily need to go overboard. If you can spare a few inches, it will help you maximize the amount of usable space in the room.
Instead of filling your space with cabinets, you can opt for a color scheme that includes wood or metal accents that help bring the aesthetic alive. These pieces can serve as storage spaces or serve as decorative elements too. You could use these pieces to cover built-in appliances like a microwave or stovetop.
6. Use Space Effectively With Mirrors
Mirrors aren’t just for decoration anymore! Whether you want to create a cozy little reading nook or simply reflect light in the right direction, you can use mirrors for various purposes.
For example, you might want to hang a mirror on the wall above your stovetop. Similarly, you could use mirrors on the ceiling to direct light where it’s needed. For instance, a mirrored ceiling above the sink can illuminate the countertops below, helping you to see which tools you need to grab when preparing food.
7. Install A Kitchen Island Or Bar Stool If Necessary
Kitchens don’t always have to be cramped. Sometimes, people prefer to sit at the table to enjoy dinner rather than stand at the counter. You might consider installing a bar stool instead of a traditional dining chair when this happens. This furniture provides extra seating, allowing you to feed guests comfortably while seated.
If you don’t have space for a dedicated island, you can install a bar countertop underneath your existing countertop instead. This keeps the countertops clean and prevents the clutter associated with placing a full table behind them.
8. Add Lighting To Create Ambiance And Make Cooking Easier
Lighting isn’t just for the bedroom! You can also use it to brighten up a small kitchen and make it easier to work in. For example, a pendant lamp overhead helps to illuminate the countertops below. Likewise, a dimmer switch can adjust the lighting level throughout the kitchen area.
If you live in a climate where you don’t experience seasonal changes, you might not need additional lighting. But if you need extra illumination in bad weather, you might consider adding a chandelier or sconce. Both fixtures come in a wide range of styles and colors, so you can easily customize the look to fit your style and taste.
By following these helpful tips, you’ll be able to create a small but beautiful kitchen that suits your unique needs. As long as you don’t let the size of your kitchen dictate your design choices, you can rest assured that you’ll end up with a space that looks great and works perfectly for you.
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10 Kitchen Remodel Tips to Increase the Resale Value of Your Home Video:
When you sell a house, you might think you need to improve the curb appeal because it may attract potential buyers. It is true.
However, you may have forgotten that interior design is also essential. The new homeowner will not spend most of their time in the yard, right? Thus, you also need to pay attention to it, especially the kitchen, because it is the heart of every house.
You have several things to consider before overhauling your cooking space to make it a cash cow. Therefore, we have listed these 10 kitchen-remodel tips to increase the resale value of your home. As always, Simphome presents you with the list.
10. Work with the Layout You have
When overhauling the kitchen, you may want to change its look completely. You need to hold yourself because this action may cost you the earth.
Remember that your ultimate goal is to renew the cooking space to increase the resale value, not to drain your money away.
For this reason, you need to work with your layout, meaning you must not move the walls, plumbing, and electrical lines because it is expensive.
So, what can you do with the existing layout? You can tweak the island by changing its size, shape, or orientation. Or, you can add a new island to improve the workflow if you do not have any.
9. Expand the Floor Plan If It is Possible
In the previous tip, we mentioned that you do not need to change the layout of your kitchen. However, if you think it is so small that you cannot work efficiently, you can try examining the nonstructural walls to see whether you can open them up.
A nonstructural wall is a wall that holds up only itself. It does not support the house’s structure because it is not a part of the structural frame system. Therefore, anyone can remove it without endangering the safety of the house. Besides, ripping it will not cost you an arm and a leg.
By removing the nonstructural wall, you can have the chance to open up your kitchen by stealing the space from the adjacent room. This way, you can have a space for a pantry or any other use.
8. Go for Stainless Steel Appliances
The appliances and surface finish may be the first thing a potential buyer will notice. Therefore, investing in high-quality ones that can draw the eyes is essential.
Stainless steel appliances are a thing now. They offer a sleek and modern appearance to any kitchen, which will impress anyone who sees it.
Luckily, stainless-steel finishes are not as expensive as they used to be. You can surely afford them.
7. Consider Renewing the Countertops and Flooring
The flooring and countertops are the most indispensable things in any kitchen. They ensure comfort and workflow.
Since the flooring and countertops always become the most abused surfaces in any cooking space, you need to spend wisely on them. Besides, if they look appealing and durable, everyone will wish they could spend their time in the kitchen.
If you expect to sell your house in a few years, you can try going for low-maintenance, high-quality countertops and flooring that will still look amazing when you put your house on the market.
Marble and granite look lavish and will improve the look of your kitchen in no time. Nevertheless, they are notorious for being finicky finishes for countertops. For this reason, you can go for solid-surface engineered materials that can bear stains and heat.
6. Do not Buy New Cabinets
You do not have to buy new cabinets, which may cost thousands of dollars. You only need to reface and refinish them to give them a new life.
Refacing the cabinets is not arduous. The most convenient way is to give them several coats of fresh paint. You can also do this by changing the hardware or replacing the doors. This way, you can get new cabinets while salting away some money.
Number 5. Modernize the Backsplash
Consider installing a new backsplash to add excitement to the space. The old one might have been tired because of grease, splash, and stain. Thus, it is essential to give it a fresh look.
A new tile backsplash with geometric designs is popular now. Besides, it will round out your newly refaced cabinets and countertops.
If your kitchen is relatively small, consider opting for the backsplash with similar color tones to the countertops. This way, you can have a seamless transition.
4. Install New Lighting Fixtures
Since people do a lot of tasks in a kitchen, choosing the proper lighting is essential. Besides, good lighting can accentuate the texture and colors of your cooking space.
However, you must install the lighting thoughtfully to work in the kitchen efficiently. You can add lights underneath the cabinets to give you a better sight when preparing meals.
Hanging pendant lights over the island is also worth considering. It will give a better view of the countertop and add a visual appeal to the kitchen.
3. Give Some Space for the Pantry
Every kitchen needs a pantry. Therefore, do not forgo this important detail.
A pantry can help you organize the kitchen better by keeping dried goods, spices, and cooking utensils.
If it is big enough for a walk-in pantry, you can use it to store mops, trashcans, and brooms too. This privilege will surely attract a potential buyer because storage is crucial in a kitchen.
2. Open Shelving for Various Purposes
You can also add more storage solutions by installing wall-mounted shelves. The good thing about them is they are easy to install and affordable. Besides, they can complete the look of your modern kitchen immensely.
If the potential buyer has a china collection or decorative cups and bowls, they might be thrilled knowing they have a dedicated place to display their treasure.
1. Add an Appliance Garage
An appliance garage may not be a must-have option. However, it will improve the efficiency of your kitchen storage. You will not need to find a comfortable place for your coffee maker or mixer and put them back in the pantry anymore because you can grab and put them back fast in the appliance garage.
Those are 10 kitchen-remodel tips to increase the resale value of your home. We hope you can overhaul your cooking space better and sell your house.
References
10. Bobvila.com, Hgtv.com
9. Bobvila.com, Thisoldhouse.com
8. Bobvila.com, Reico.com
7. Bobvila.com, Thisoldhouse.com
6. Usacabinetstore.com, Helpful-kitchen-tips.com
5. Usacabinetstore.com, Livspace.com
4. Usacabinetstore.com, Homesandgardens.com
3. Extraspace.com
2. Extraspace.com
1. Extraspace.com
