Renovating an Old Home Kitchen

Flooring

• Flooring is one of the first parts of the kitchen to show wear and tear. As such, it is often one of the first replacements during a remodel. Vinyl and ceramic tile are fairly low-cost materials, and both offer a range of color options. Engineered hardwood is preferable to natural wood in the kitchen because exposure to moisture tends to cause cracking and warping. Concrete floors are a very durable modern option that can be stenciled, stained or painted to fit any decorating style. Each of these withstands water damage, warping and other problems associated with use in the kitchen.

Cabinets

• Cabinets will decide the overall layout of the space and are one of the most costly aspects of a kitchen remodel. They can be purchased premanufactured from just about any home improvement store and from online outlets. This option is the most cost-effective but provides a somewhat limited style and size selection. Custom-designed cabinets are more costly, but they offer less wasted space because fillers aren’t used to fill gaps. If existing cabinets are structurally sound, refacing is a process of replacing the doors and drawer fronts while leaving the body intact. This provides a modern look for a fraction of the cost.

Countertops

• Like cabinets, countertops tend to consume a large chunk of the remodeling budget. Natural stone, particularly granite, is the most widely used countertop material in modern homes. Look to spend from $75 to $250 per square foot, as of 2009, a number that varies depending on the type of granite, location and difficulty of production. Solid surfaces are man-made products created using a combination of acrylic material, polyester and crushed stone. They closely resemble stone in some cases and are highly resistant to scratching and staining, with a price tag that is significantly less than natural stone. Concrete carries a cost similar to granite and an excellent durability against wear and tear. It is important that cabinets are constructed with additional supports because of the extra weight of the counters. Plastic laminate and ceramic tile are both widely used and fairly low-cost.

Paint

• A new coat of paint is perhaps the most inexpensive way to add a cleaner, more modern look to an old kitchen. Light hues, particularly white, cream and beige, are ideal for small rooms and those that lack natural light exposure. These colors give the appearance of more light and more open space. Dark wall colors should be used sparingly because they make a space feel darker and smaller. The kitchen is a good spot for bold reds, oranges, yellows and similar tones that might feel overwhelming in other places, because the majority of wall space is covered by cabinets and appliances. These bring an energetic feel to the room.