Holiday Kitchen Remodeling - And Beyond

The holiday season is here! Hosting family gatherings or making time for friends usually means taking a good look at home decor, furnishings, and available space for entertaining. Thinking of ways to spruce up the kitchen is a natural part of entertaining, and many families want their kitchens to be elegant, inviting spaces for holiday hosting or just relaxing. Although the holidays can be stressful, a new look and feel for the kitchen provides comfort to guests and family alike. Although kitchen remodeling takes time, there are typically a few updates that can be accomplished before guests arrive. And although holiday entertaining might be a primary inspiration for updating a kitchen space, homeowners will want to consider updates that continue to provide comfort and luxury long after the holidays have ended. A year-round cooking and entertainment hub is truly a gift to the entire family, and a well-crafted kitchen design plan is a gift that keeps giving for many years to come. Here are some quick updates that can help with holiday entertaining, and some post-holiday updates that can ensure year-round comfort and style. Quick Holiday Updates 

• Lighting

 Lighting sets the mood for the entire kitchen. Task lighting supports vital kitchen work areas and provides visual interest; new pendant lighting over a kitchen island, for example, not only brightens the space for cooking tasks but also provides ambiance for entertaining. Overhead recessed lighting spotlights important work areas while providing nuanced illumination for the entire kitchen. Updated lighting fixtures are a relatively quick and easy piece of any kitchen design plan; even if the holidays are close, lighting changes can usually be accomplished faster than any other element of kitchen remodeling. 

• Appliances

 Updating older appliances is another quick and easy way to make a kitchen space seem new again. Appliances are in constant use during the holidays, and hosts will need an oven that can handle all the holiday fixings as well as a dishwasher that can handle the cleanup. New appliances provide a sleek, luxurious look in any kitchen space, and are easily updated in a short amount of time, making them the perfect upgrade when holidays are rapidly approaching. Even appliances with better name brands typically cost less than expected, and the energy efficient perks built into newer appliance models save the household money in the long run. New features such as water and ice dispensers, convection cooking, and whisper-quiet wash cycles are perfect for holiday entertaining and will be enjoyed by family members for many years to come. 

• Color

 A fresh coat of paint or switching up matching accessories can really create a sense of newness in an older space. If the holidays are rapidly approaching, changing up a color palette can be a fast, inexpensive way to update areas of the home like the kitchen that function as high-traffic entertainment spaces. Post-holiday Updates 

• Additional storage space

 The addition of storage to a kitchen is always a welcome update, no matter the size of the space or the time of year. Installing a walk-in pantry, extending counter space, or adding ceiling-height cabinets are all terrific ways to add to existing storage, and although these updates may take a bit more time, they’re more than worth the wait. Custom cabinets that extend to the ceiling can nearly double the available storage area and can be crafted and designed to uniquely complement a kitchen’s dimensions. Multiple drawers that hold a variety of kitchen tools are a bonus to cooks who entertain, as is under-counter pull-out shelving that takes full advantage of hidden yet usable storage areas. If a kitchen’s size will accommodate a walk-in pantry, this space can be created for storage of shelf-stable items, cooking oils, spices, and more. A kitchen remodeling professional in Royal Oak can plan a variety of ways to add storage to every unique space. 

• Countertops and sinks

 Holidays can put countertops to the test; multiple hot dishes, spills, and stains mean counters must be both heat-resistant and easy to clean. Stone countertops, usually made of granite, marble, or quartz, are excellent choices for handling heat and provide easy clean-up options. Stone countertops are available in a variety of natural-looking colors and patterns that provide visual interest and contrast nicely with cabinets and appliances. Updates to the kitchen sink will need to be coordinated with new countertop installation, as countertops must be cut with precision, keeping the shape and dimensions of the sink in mind. Kitchen sinks are a relatively inexpensive update and can provide a beautiful stainless steel or porcelain backdrop for a remodeled kitchen. Double sinks are a great way to multitask during holiday entertaining; while one side can be used for food prep, the other can be used to wash dishes or prepare drinks. An apron-front sink can add a farmhouse touch, while an undermount sink can blend seamlessly into the countertop area. To be sure that the timing of a new sink installation complements a planned countertop update, a kitchen remodeling professional in Royal Oak can create a remodeling timeline that incorporates design changes in phases. 

• Backsplashes

 New countertops and cabinet installation also provide a great opportunity to select and install a new backsplash. A tile or stone backsplash can be luxurious, functional, and easy to clean all at the same time. A backsplash is a cost-efficient way to tie the design of the kitchen together with color and pattern. Tile work and precision stone-cutting do take time, so this step may be best done in the post-holiday period if the holidays are rapidly approaching. A kitchen remodeling professional can help create a kitchen design plan that coordinates cabinets, countertops, and backsplash to create a look that’s sure to delight friends and family year-round. A remodeled kitchen provides peace of mind and a beautiful space for entertaining and relaxing in the new year and for many years to come. A kitchen remodeling professional in Royal Oak can create the perfect kitchen design for holiday entertaining and beyond.