Remodels vs. Renovations

Thinking about remodeling your kitchen, or maybe just renovating it? There’s a difference between the two, although many people use these terms interchangeably. Remodels are home improvements that change the structure and sometimes the function of the room in your home, and they almost always have to be done by a professional.

Renovations, on the other hand, are cosmetic changes that you make to your home. Most home renovations can be done on your own, but certain renovations (e.g., roofing) require a professional. Here are some examples of both remodel and renovation trends for one of the most popular rooms in the home: the kitchen.

Kitchen Remodels

Depending on what your kitchen currently looks like and what you already have, some of these remodels could be renovations. Just remember that if structural changes have to be made, it’s considered a remodel and should be done by a professional.

Islands

Kitchen islands are still very trendy, so now may be the time to get one if you’ve been thinking about it. The reason islands are considered to be remodels instead of renovations is because many islands include functional features such as sinks, dishwashers, stovetops, and/or ovens— meaning you’re going to need the help of a carpenter, electrician, and plumber. However, your kitchen island can be more similar to a bar for additional seating space, rather than including functional features. It all depends on how often you use your kitchen and what you use it for.

Patios and Outdoor Kitchens

Because the kitchen is the most popular room in a home, homeowners are extending their kitchens into the outdoors as well. A professional contractor can determine if and where you can install a glass door in your kitchen that leads outside. Once your glass door has been installed, you can also have a contractor build your patio area right outside of your kitchen— which can also include an outdoor kitchen! Some ideas to create the perfect patio space/backyard include:

• Cozy seating area
• Dining nook
• Fire pit
• Grill and/or stove
• Outdoor bar and sink
• Swimming pool

Walk-In Pantries

If you always feel like you never have enough cabinet space in your kitchen, a walk-in pantry may be just what you need. This may very well require you to build on an extra addition to your kitchen if you don’t have the space for a pantry. However, this is a good investment because it adds square footage to your home and can make your kitchen look much more organized.

Kitchen Renovations

All of these trendy kitchen projects you can do on your own, but you can still hire a professional if you’re not comfortable with doing them on your own.

Backsplash

Kitchen backsplash (the bare area between the cabinets and the countertops) designs have been trending in kitchens (and bathrooms) for a while now, but the styles seem to change every so often. Right now, larger slabs (of any style and design) are in, and backsplashes are extending beyond the upper cabinets and going all the way up to the ceiling. The color and design of your backsplash depends on the overall color scheme of your kitchen. As fast as material goes, backsplashes can be made of any of the following:

• Copper
• Glass
• Marble
• Quartz
• Stainless steel
• Wood

Cabinetry and Countertops

It may be time to update your kitchen cabinets, but an update doesn’t always mean changing out the cabinetry (unless there’s damage). A simple paint job and changing out the hardware can really make your kitchen look new. Neutral colors (whites, grays, blacks) are slowly being replaced with more vibrant colors. If you’re not into a bold pop of color, consider an earthy tone, such as green.

When it comes to countertops, neutral colors are still in— especially with the move towards bolder colors for the cabinets. Depending on the colors of your cabinets, you may want to go for cream, gray, tan, or taupe.

Flooring

Over the past few years we saw hardwood floors making their way into many rooms— including the kitchen. Now ceramic tile is making a comeback into the kitchen. This is because ceramic tiles are much more easy to maintain than hardwood floors. If ceramic flooring is too hard/uncomfortable, you can also choose vinyl flooring— both of which come in a variety of styles, including the look of hardwood.

There are many more kitchen trends that you can follow, such as the overall design style of your kitchen (e.g., Modern Farmhouse, Cottage Core) that can bring together the overall look of your kitchen and your home.