topic Re: Kitchen remodel in Kitchen

Kitchen remodel

queendiva — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 22:09:16 GMT

Anyone else planning a kitchen project?

Down to the studs, new everything or just a refresh- paint, curtains, etc?

My plan is for rehab lite: 3 new upper cabinets above the stove area, new backsplash and granite counter tops, paint cabinets and walls (ceiling, window treatments and lighting completed). New hood or venting microwave above the stove, new sink and faucet.

Working on color choices for paints. Backsplash chosen. Will choose granite next week along with cabinets and sink & faucet. Hoping to start next month and be done before April 1. Painter lined up, too. The present 20 year old kitchen is functional but ugly. Fridge and stove are newer SS. DW is original(!) non- computerized, manual. Love it!

Tell us about the plans for your kitchen!

Re: Kitchen remodel

libbyannE — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 22:28:45 GMT

It sounds as if your layout is ok, so this is a cautionary tale for others:

Despite my telling her that her kitchen layout was really dated and should be completely rethought in order to make a wise investment in her desired kitchen redo, a friend of ours a few years ago freshened her kitchen with new appliances, counters, cabinet paint, sink, and faucet. The old layout remained the same. When she put her home on the market a couple of years later, the realtor told her the kitchen was dated and that potential buyers would deduct heavily kitchen reno costs. And, in the end, they did. (I didn’t want to be right, but I told her she was wasting money.) When in doubt, at least bring in a kitchen designer and/or a realtor first for an opinion.

Re: Kitchen remodel

Goodie2shoes — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 22:34:54 GMT

planning on selling my house and downsizing this year so I am working on updating several rooms including the kitchen. I've seen a lot of nice kitchen update ideas on the HGTV website. Good luck with your remodel and post a picture when done

Re: Kitchen remodel

queendiva — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 23:21:39 GMT

@libbyannE: Mine is a so-called villa home in a condo community. (end unit) To change the layout in my small eat- in kitchen would be over-improving the space, just as bad IMO as not updating. Buyers know what to expect here in terms of size and layout of the kitchen. Really limited in what can be done in terms of square footage and budget. A very desirable community- no concerns here.

Not my first kitchen rehab- the last was a full gut almost 12 years ago. In addition, I do not have an eye on resale this time- this is all about me, my aesthetic and my wallet. No need for a realtor and I have consulted a color specialist and done my research on style, sources and trades people -that should be enough. No other opinions necessary. Trust me, updating this original 20 year old kitchen will be an improvement. I will not describe the finishes as not to offend anyone living with similar. Excited to get started/

Re: Kitchen remodel

libbyannE — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 00:17:34 GMT

@queendiva

I hear ya. Makes sense. You had said something about the layout being good in your post. How great is that? You can spend your money on the fun stuff that you see! Hope you will share the results with us!

Re: Kitchen remodel

Sooner — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 01:37:18 GMT

One thing: I wouldn't put a cooktop on an island, but that's me. I think they splatter on the floor, you use good work space, and it is sort of dangerous because someone might bump into a hot stove dashing into the kitchen to grab something, or put something down on a hot cooktop.

Re: Kitchen remodel

Marsha2003 — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 02:01:43 GMT

I'm in the midst of having my cabinets repainted. I would like new counters and backsplash, but that's not in the budget right now as I need to change the glass in the skylights as some of the seals have failed.

We are looking to sell in the next few years and I think a buyer will want to do a major remodel on the kitchen, so I don't plan to spend any additional money on it. I understand that the sales price may reflect a buyer's desire for updates.

Re: Kitchen remodel

Veridoc — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 14:22:01 GMT

@Marsha2003 wrote:
I'm in the midst of having my cabinets repainted. I would like new counters and backsplash, but that's not in the budget right now as I need to change the glass in the skylights as some of the seals have failed.

We are looking to sell in the next few years and I think a buyer will want to do a major remodel on the kitchen, so I don't plan to spend any additional money on it. I understand that the sales price may reflect a buyer's desire for updates.

I would love to know what type of paint you are using on your cabinets. Is it any special type of paint just for cabinets? My budget won't allow major remodel and was thinking about painting mine but am confused about what type of paint to use. Also, are you doing this yourself and do you have any dos and don'ts tips. Thanks.

Re: Kitchen remodel

wagirl — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 16:03:09 GMT

Not sure about a full kitchen remodel---mine is 33 years old and in need of EVERYTHING re done. But a huge tree fell on our house, the second story, and pretty much destroyed/ damaged the roof and the 2 baths and 4 other rooms. So not sure what to expect from the ins money. May be able to do bits and pieces in the kitchen, but won't hold my breath.

Re: Kitchen remodel

hayseed00 — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 18:25:07 GMT

We have a small horse farm, and I have been horse crazy all my life. Our kitchen remodel isn't for everyone but I sure enjoy it.

Re: Kitchen remodel

Twins Mom — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 21:01:52 GMT

Kitchen gutted three weeks ago. Eat-in area being reduced by 18” to increase laundry room so I can have room for baskets or cubbies (not perfecting that area yet). My floor was 33 year old vinyl. New vinyl put down this week- looks like tile with grout. Whew! Like the color. Cabinets in garage and will be installed this week. Donated my “old” oak look cabinets that were lighter in color. Have selected darker walnut against almost every article that I picked up that were white or grey. I do hope all these decisions have the results that I want. I did replace two windows over sink with one picture window. What a huge difference! Never had a backsplash before and going from laminate countertops to quartz. It is exciting but scary.

Re: Kitchen remodel

Regal Bee — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 21:42:04 GMT

We completely gutted our kitchen six years ago......took out the ceiling, floors, walls.....everything. I love it but I would NEVER put myself through that experience again.

I am a neat nut and the disorder nearly drove me to the edge.

Re: Kitchen remodel

chprsp — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 03:33:17 GMT

We're in the tail end of a long overdue kitchen remodel. It's an almost 100 year old house and the last remodel was probably in the 1960's. The cabinets have been replaced along with the countertop and sink and "floating" vinyl plank floor. New dishwasher is installed. The windows over the sink have been installed and we're waiting for two more windows.

It's a small kitchen with limited counter space. By relocating a pantry cupboard we were able to add two more feet of counter space. Because of the age and style of the house we didn't want to overimprove.

Re: Kitchen remodel

C in MA — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 05:02:48 GMT

Thought about doing a post with before and after on my kitchen remodel. Same time frame as yours. Very small,home but the view is spectacular. Taking a non load bareing wall down will open up the entire living area. Not my dream kitchen yet but will be a step up. We are working on very small budget as well. I love thinking out of box and making do with what is there. Pictures please

Re: Kitchen remodel

ID2 — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 11:02:40 GMT

We did a total kitchen remodel of our first house which was built in 1958. We did this remodel back in 1989. I loved how it turned out. I just saw photos when the owners, who bought it from us, put our old house up for sale, a year ago. Shockingly, the kitchen was the exactly the same, even down to the wallpaper we had! Impressive!

Re: Kitchen remodel

ptagirl — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 08:17:29 GMT

I had my small kitchen remodeled almost two years ago already... time goes by!...

I went with a local established kitchen designer to help me with the plans..

The kitchen now has a new layout....

I had all the cabinets removed from top and bottom, painted and new hardware... had a large peninsula removed (this was attached to the wall, was a junk collector and in the way .. could not reach the cupboards above it).....dishwasher/disposal removed (wanted the extra storage area), plumbing reconfigured (moved sink to another wall) gas line installed,... electrical outlets added switches moved, new appliances, light fixtures, sink, countertop, backsplash, window removed and reconfigured, new floor throughout open concept.....lots of mess!!

Mainly, I went with a more functional layout (previously, there were a lot of wasted areas)... before I had a corner sink with a window I could not see out of or reach it open/close/wash if I wanted to... now I have a large window above my sink (moved sink to a long wall) I can open and it's low enough I can watch my birds outside....love it! ....

I now have more counter space for food prep...before the counter space was broken up and had to keep moving from one space to the next....I now have a designated baking area set up... I added a few more cabinets... easy reach for the bottom corner for my pots/pans... large bank of drawers for baking pans, etc...

It was a mess, but I can now function much better in my small space..

Re: Kitchen remodel

PamelaSue72 — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 13:38:18 GMT

We did our kitchen over about five years ago, down to the walls. New cabinets, new fridge, granite counter tops, China cabinet, pantry, new floor, new larger window, single large Blanco sink. We put two sun tunnels in the kitchen for added natural light. Best thing we ever did. I think it took about six weeks, but it was worth every minute of washing dishes in plastic tubs in our bathtub......and I hate washing dishes.

(We just finished our bathroom remodel last year. Down to the walls again and started completely over.)

Re: Kitchen remodel

Twins Mom — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 13:41:44 GMT

I have never heard of sun tunnel, will have to look up.
Doing dishes in large bowl in utility tub has to be easier than bathtub. Backbreaking.

Re: Kitchen remodel

Allegheny — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 17:14:26 GMT

@Twins Mom @PamelaSue72

Sun Tunnels are great.

When we reshingled our roof we had the sky light in our bathroom removed and replaced with a sun tunnel. It provides more brightness then the sky light ever did and now we don't have the issue of having to paint the narrow shaft of the sky light.

Re: Kitchen remodel

Nightowlz — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 19:21:17 GMT

At some point we will remodel ours if we don't buy another house.

We will gut it to install new cabinets with pull out drawers, shelves, with larger panrty etc to make our life easier as we get older. Take down the rest of the wall between kitchen/living area to install huge island. with quartz countertops with farm sink. We need a kitchen that's usable so we can continue cooking as long as we can. Not going to get on the floor to get things out of the cabinets.