The kitchen is the heart of the home—the space where everyone gathers, where everyday life happens. It’s also a main selling point that adds value to your home.
If you’re considering a kitchen update and want to make changes that will boost your home’s appeal, Better Homes & Gardens advises these five kitchen upgrades for the best return on your investment:
- Add a kitchen island
- Update, paint, or replace cabinets
- Upgrade appliances
- Replace countertops
- Add an all-purpose space
How to match your kitchen renovation to your design style.
While we all want to make home improvements that add value to our homes, it’s equally important to be sure that those remodeling choices fit your design style and lifestyle. So, perhaps you don’t have the space for an island in your kitchen. Or maybe you’d like to keep some of your existing appliances.
The key to getting the most out of your kitchen renovation is to make a wish list of the features and fixtures that are most important to you. Then, use that list to create your master plan with budget numbers. By identifying all the elements and attaching costs to each, it’s easier to plan and prioritize your must-have features to get the look and function you want out of your new kitchen.
See the kitchen transformation that adds both value and style.
These Westside Cleveland homeowners wanted a new kitchen with updated and upgraded features like new cabinets, surfaces and appliances while working within the existing footprint. Replacing the builder-grade cabinetry was top on their list, along with more functional storage. Plus, they wanted the new kitchen space to have an elevated aesthetic to match their bohemian design style and flow with the rest of their artfully curated home. Here’s how we made that happen.
The kitchen before & after
Kitchen before:
Kitchen after:
The kitchen before:
While the existing kitchen was of ample size, the original cabinet layout left pockets of dead space challenging to access and wasted space above. In addition, the microwave-vent combo and the “bumper” backsplash visually interrupted the flow of the space, making it feel disjointed.
The inefficient pantry closet consumed a corner of the room next to the back hallway that needed reimagining, while the peninsula’s countertop was not deep enough for comfortable seating. Finally, all the appliances were due for an upgrade.
The kitchen after:
Custom cabinetry runs all the way up to the 9-ft. ceilings, creating the storage the homeowners needed and the luxe look they wanted. The hardwood cabinets are custom stained to compliment the undertones in the existing hardwood floor, which runs throughout the home’s first floor. Countertop surfaces in Brown Antique granite in a honed (leather) finish provide texture and a sleek finish. The backsplash features 5” x 5” tumbled terracotta tile (Wow – Mestizaje White in Zellige Gloss) glazed in various white tones finished with grey grout.
Custom-lighted display cabinetry and open shelving add designer flair, while under cabinet and recessed lighting fixtures provide practical workspace lighting.
The wine bar before:
The old bar area had to go: Because it lacked functional storage, it had become a dumping spot making it an eyesore. The homeowners love wine—so they wanted a dedicated space in their kitchen that they would enjoy using to entertain family and friends.
The wine bar after:
Custom cabinetry makes clever use of every inch of space, from wine storage to a hidden charging station and dividers in the drawer and cabinets. The tile (Stellar by Sonoma Tile Makers in a combination of Cloud Dancer, Charcoal Crackle and Dovetail Crackle) is a fun pop of color and texture and a design element that complements artwork in the adjacent areas of the home. Now the wine bar looks like it belongs in this space.
New kitchen storage solutions.
Deleting the pantry closet afforded space for large, floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinets with rollout shelves and dividers. Built-in storage is concealed in the end panel of the pantry cabinet. Touch-release access opens the panel for brooms and cleaning supplies, plus a dry erase board.
Other kitchen cabinets include custom storage solutions for everyday efficiency and functionality, such as a place for grill tools, baking sheets and serving trays, and more.
Inspired by the homeowners’ vision, the new kitchen design came together beautifully in this newly updated space that feels inviting, comfortable, and right at home.
The best is yet to come,
Shelley Bujdos