Remodeling: Kitchens

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Charleston used to segregate its kitchens from “the big house,” but no more. Now integrated into residences, it often stars as the heart of the home. Read on for ideas to help make your kitchen shine.

What to Consider When Planning Your Kitchen Redesign

1. Cooking: Determine how many people will cook at one time, what duties they have, the condition of your current appliances, how many sets of dishes you have, and where you prefer to store equipment. This will inform you on how your kitchen should function.

2. Living: If your kitchen is where family or guests naturally convene, emphasize livability. Consider how many people it needs to accommodate and whether that’s a short-term or long-term number. If you plan to stay in your home more than 10 years, for example, be sure and design a kitchen versatile enough to suit changing needs.

3. Selling: The kitchen can make or break a home sale, so consider prospective buyers if you plan to sell in the coming years. New appliances and natural stone countertops top the list of most desirable kitchen elements, along with cozy space for family and guests, so invest accordingly.

Kitchen Remodel Don’ts

• Don’t choose a design based on looks rather than function. Whether your image-conscious kitchen dates itself or under-performs, that’s a lot of money down the drain.
• Don’t get your heart set on a countertop or cabinetry design without researching expense. If those elements are cost-prohibitive, you may find it difficult to adapt its less expensive replacement to other design choices.
• Don’t rush. Hasty or poor planning can be costly; a simple change of heart after the project begins can have a domino effect on other elements in the works.
• Don’t choose a countertop without doing your homework. Marble and soapstone can stain, granite can crack, zinc scratches easily—know what you’re getting before you invest.

Do You Need a Designer?

Like an architect, hiring a kitchen designer doesn’t have to be a full-scale expense—most will consult on an hourly basis. And with thousands of product lines and finishes to choose from, and technology that changes almost every day, a kitchen designer will help you sort through aesthetic options from fixtures to backsplash materials to hardware.

Historic Homes: What to expect

Logistics: Anticipate uneven floors, out of plumb walls, rooms that aren’t equally proportioned, irregular ceilings, and difficult venting situations for the range hood and plumbing.
Layout: Most historic kitchens were originally in detached buildings—even attached, they tend to be isolated from the rest of the house. Incorporating sitting rooms into the kitchen are common alterations, creating a gathering spot for family.

From the Experts
“If you plan on staying in your home, remember that tastes change, children grow up, and your next life stage might present different challenges. Thus, approach your kitchen remodel with ergonomics in mind, as well as an eye toward classic, timeless choices. You don’t want to date a kitchen by the fad that was prevalent at the time it was remodeled or built.”—Linda McLain, Signature Kitchens & Baths

Budget

The rule of thumb is to spend no more than 15 percent of the value of the home on your kitchen. If you’re in an area with higher property values, that percentage can be higher but shouldn’t exceed 25 percent.