Trends In Kitchen And Bathroom Renovations

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• What To Fix? Home Designers Name Common Bathroom, Kitchen Renovations

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  Whether renovating a new home or remodeling an old one, making decisions for the future of one’s home can be frustrating. Designers typically recommend taking the most important needs into consideration by narrowing down the best choices for a bathroom or kitchen.

  With this in mind, Chad Speight, owner of Chad’s Design Build, and Chuck Weidenbach, design specialist at the Kitchen Ideas Center, said that there are several popular trends for home renovations this season.

  When working with clients, Speight and Weidenbach said that they’re introduced to many items on a checklist from homeowners. Some common goals for kitchen renovations include functionality and a “social hub.”

  There are many choices of appliances when remodeling a kitchen that are important to the accessibility of the space. Crucial insights, Weidenbach said, include location of an island, ventilation and size of sink, depending on how much counter space for preparation.

  Recently, popular bathroom renovations have been a tub transformation into a walk-in shower, Speight said.

  “A growing number of people are willing to take that leap, and perhaps even, not have a tub in their home … But it is so practical because … no one takes a tub anymore,” Speight said. “Having a shower that is comfortable and functional and allows us to enjoy … that five-minute routine … why not?”

  Weidenbach said parents prefer to have tubs for their children and idea of having only a shower is being under debate. The question always goes back to resale and whether the home will sell for less if the tub doesn’t exist.

  “I would say the idea that there must be a tub in a house … I sense that’s changing. A Realtor might have little bit of a different take on that,” Weidenbach said. “But professional, talking to clients … I’d say there is a shift going on.”

  If someone hasn’t considered the option, Speight said that real estate agents are more open to the idea because a walk–in shower is considered more luxurious or ideal to homebuyers. In addition, building a home for a 10-year plan might be more important than the potential resale or building for the “subjective buyer.”

  “If you are going to be there for a while, why not have it be the way you want it to be for our lifestyle,” Weidenbach said.

  Where to start on renovations is always a concern for homeowners and it can be overwhelming when looking at a large wish list. Weidenbach said that beginning with the priorities and eliminate others so one can simplify that list.

  “For instance, if you have older cabinets that are solid and you want to put a nicer counter top on it … I think you need to project yourself not in just years, but potentially decades ahead,” Weidenbach said. “If you are starting on your own, look inside, say ‘This has to change because I am done with it’ and start with that to make the rest of your decisions.”