Seattle Real Estate News

When it comes to remodeling - kitchen upgrade remains at the top of the list. Questions prior to remodeling:

What features do I need in my kitchen?

1. What do I like/don't like about my current kitchen?
2. What is my current budget?
3. If I had a dream kitchen, what would it look like?

Connected or smart appliances are becoming more popular and user-friendly that simplify routine chores like cleaning and doing laundry in addition to bringing in higher value.

a) Ovens - A connected oven allows you to control functionality using smartphone. Another tech innovation is convection which allows multiple items to bake at the same time without sacrificing consistent quality.

b) Refrigerators - You can verbally instruct the fridge to fill the ice machine and raise or lower the temperature and self-diagnose issues and alert you when replacement part is needed.

c) Hands-free faucets - Reduce the spread of germs and messes with hands-free and single-touch faucets. They also include a unique sensor and water-flow mechanism. Simply touching any part of the faucets or placing objects directly under the faucet heard turns the flow of water on and off.

Have a precise plan in place. Planning with the help of a designer will help prevent a number of mistakes. An in-house designer at a kitchen showroom is cheaper. During the planning phase, take this opportunity to shop for the latest products on the market, account for adequate traffic flow and seating to ensure the most efficient and comfortable use of your kitchen. Plenty of cabinets nearby to allow for easy access to every possible utensil and pan. Don't forget to locate your waste receptacle (and compost for food waste) near the sink in a dedicated pull-out cabinet. 

Blend aesthetics and practicality. Counter-tops allow you to put your personal style on display as well as landing spaces for hot dishes, groceries and corded appliances. Consider rounding corners or adding 45-degree corner cuts to avoid any safety hazards. Consider adding an island to include additional cabinets, a breakfast bar or shelving. 

There are four types of lighting. Task lighting helps eliminate a special work area. Ambient light softens the room by eliminating sharp lines and shadows. Accent lighting highlights a specific item or detail. Decorative lighting is the focal lighting attraction such as a chandelier. 

Maximize function while maintaining safety. Today's cabinets can be ordered to exact specifications to maximize drawer and shelf space. Keep in mind the door swings of cabinets and appliances as do not block access to something critical to a specific task. An adequate number of electrical outlets must be considered when remodeling your kitchen. 

Next is to hire a contractor to help with renovation. An affordable option may also be use to a contractor recommend by a kitchen showroom or a big box store. Obtain bids from at least three contractors. Don't necessarily take the lowest bid; the lowest price doesn't automatically make it the best choice. Pay close attention to the services the contractor is providing, as well as how the project will be managed along the various phases of your renovation.

Several ideas where to hire contractors:

• Pro - Input specific project ideas and instant price estimated.
• Porch - Locate contractors and view past projects.
• Red beacon - Receive bids from multiple contractors (HomeDepot).
• Zillow Digs - Share photos of design and remodeling projects with price estimated.