Custom Kitchen Renovations in Victoria BC
Kitchen designs reflect how we use our kitchens in the 21st century. They are no longer used only for preparing and eating food. Today, the kitchen is a place to gather, entertain, and relax. A modern kitchen design trend is the open-plan layout. The kitchen flows into the dining area, which then flows into the living space. The result is one large room with lots of light and little physical definition between areas.
Kitchen Nightmare
to Dream Kitchen
Television design shows make renovations look easy and anything is possible, even on a tight budget. In reality, the average Canadian kitchen renovation costs between $25,000 and $50,000 and can take months to complete. As with any renovation, a kitchen remodel cost depends on the extent of the work and if it’s a “down to the studs” type of remodel. Your choice of materials and appliances also play a factor in the final cost.
At LIDA Construction, we’re always on the lookout for new kitchen ideas: ways to make this multi-purpose space more effective, more impressive, and more enjoyable. We can remodel your kitchen to create a smart and effective space for you to show off your culinary skills. Abundant storage, smart task lighting, logical layouts, and quality materials that look good and work great – we can turn your kitchen nightmare into a dream kitchen.
Benefits of Kitchen Renovations
The kitchen is one of the rooms that has the greatest impact on the resale value of your house (the other is the bathroom). Remodeling your kitchen has many short-term and long-term benefits.
- Plan a functional layout. Renovating a kitchen enables you to choose a layout that works for you and your family. You’ll have storage where you need it, enough counter space for food preparation and appliances, and a floor plan that works for you. Your designer and contractor will work with you to determine your goals.
- Increased energy efficiency. There are dozens of energy-efficient products available that will save you hundreds of dollars. Using LED lights, a programmable thermostat, and double-paned windows make a huge difference.
- Sustainability. A sustainable-built renovation isn’t as hard as you think. Examples of ecologically friendly materials include natural stone and granite, reclaimed wood flooring, and up-cycled décor.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Interior Designer
Hiring a professional interior designer is your best bet for a smooth renovation. They will help you determine which of your plans are achievable and warn you of potential issues before you start your project.
Remember, communication is key in any design project. Mistakes and hiccups occur when there is misunderstandings or miscommunications. Your designer will know how to explain your vision to the tradespeople and suppliers and will have detailed documentation and drawings. He or she will follow-up throughout the project to ensure you get your kitchen renovation of your dreams.
Modern Kitchen Design
When it comes to design, modern and contemporary have some things in common. The lingo is rather confusing as modern kitchen design refers to anything from the 1920s to the 1970s while contemporary refers to current design trends. For the most part, they are both minimalist in design, have clean architectural lines and have that open space feel. Elements of modern design include sleek cabinetry and a neutral palette with a “pop” of colour. High gloss finishes and linear wood grain are common in modern design and a popular building material to use is wood. Contemporary design often includes plastic, metal, glass, and concrete.
For colours, modern design features earthy hues such as rust, brown, greens and blues while contemporary design tends to stick mostly with black, white and grey.
Choosing Colours and Materials
One of the most challenging (and fun) parts of a renovation is choosing finishes for the project. There are lots of options when determining your kitchen colour scheme so it might be difficult to know where to start.
Below are some general rules for choosing colours and finishes for your new kitchen:
The colours in your kitchen should complement each other, not fight for dominance. Often, people will choose tints and shades of the same colour for a monochromatic look. Alternatively, if you put a vibrant colour on the walls, choose softer colours for your cabinets and floor.
If you want your kitchen to feel brighter and bigger, use a lighter tone. Remember, this doesn’t mean you have to use white. Instead, try taupe, dove grey, cream, or pale blue.
Use texture to add interest to your kitchen. For example, the flecks in natural stone or granite countertops will add shine and complement the colour of your cabinets and floors. If you have a matte finish on your cabinets, stainless steel accents will add needed shine.
Not sure where to start when picking colours and materials? Don’t worry! LIDA Construction’ team of professional interior designers have access to samples of flooring, countertops, cabinets, paints and other finishes. We will guide you through your design choices.
Adding Storage to your
Kitchen Remodel
We’ve all had a kitchen that didn’t have enough cabinets or shelves or the pantry was too small (or there was no pantry at all). Sometimes the storage wasn’t set up in a convenient or logical way. By renovating your kitchen, you are able to design your kitchen the way you want, with as much storage as you need. Say goodbye to cluttered counters and ill-organized drawers!
Below are some ways to get extra storage in your renovated kitchen:
- Cookie sheet drawer. Have a dedicated drawer for storing cookie sheets, muffin pans, cooling racks, and the broiler pan next to the oven. They’ll be so handy when you’re cooking and baking!
- Deep cabinet organizer. This is a solution if you don’t have room for a walk-in pantry. A pull-out pantry organizer drawer and cabinet door racks make access to your spices and other items easy.
- Rolling cabinet or cart. This is a great idea for when you need more storage and extra counter space. It can also double as a small kitchen island. When you’re not using your cabinet, tuck it under your counter.
- Pull-out storage shelves. Use pull-out shelves to store items like pots and pans. When not in use, the shelves tuck under the counter, hidden behind cupboard doors.
- Garbage, recycle and compost bin cabinet. With the right insert, this cabinet lets you hide your unsightly garbage bins, organizes your recycling and frees up floor space.
Adding a Kitchen Island
Kitchen islands are very versatile. They serve as a beautiful focal point in your kitchen but can do so much more. How you use it depends on the functionality you need in your space. You may be surprised by the benefits a kitchen island will provide.
Extra Storage & Counter Space
If you want more storage, a kitchen island may be your solution. Shelves, drawers and cabinets under your island gives you a handy storage option. If you need more counter space, having a kitchen island is a definite bonus.
Additional Seating
Even if you have a dedicated dining area, it’s nice to have extra seating in the kitchen. A kitchen island can act as informal seating for the kids or as extra seats when you’re entertaining.
Added Amenities
Your kitchen island should improve the workflow of your kitchen. It should leave plenty of room for food preparation and entertaining. Many homeowners prefer to have their stove located in the kitchen island with a seating area on the opposite side. This allows you to cook while still entertaining guests. Additionally, having the stove in the island frees up counter space behind the island.
Choosing the Right Kitchen Appliances
Purchasing appliances is the second costliest component in your kitchen renovation. Depending on your budget, you can spend $5,000 up to $50,000 on appliances.
Do your research. Research appliances before you need to buy them. Don’t wait until you’re in a rush to replace your appliances as you’ll be less likely to research, compare, and make a careful decision at that point.
Read the label. Make sure you read each appliance’s yellow EnerGuide label. This label shows you how energy efficient your appliance is. Your appliances account for 14% of your home’s energy use and are the third biggest draw on your hydro bill. The lower the number on the sticker, the better. You should also look for an appliance’s Energy Star® symbol.
Kitchen Renovations
Increase Home Value
Kitchen renovations can improve your quality of life. By taking the time to budget, plan, and research, you’ll be sure to have a kitchen you are proud of and enjoy spending time in. Over the long-term, you’ll reap benefits, too. If you invest $20,000 or $30,000 renovating and updating your kitchen, you could potentially add $100,000 to your home’s value.
We’re passionate about kitchens because of the unique challenges they present. We’ve been doing kitchen renovations since 1998; we know what looks good and what works great, and our talented tradespeople have the skills to bring everything together. Attention to detail is just one of the reasons why LIDA Construction has become known as Victoria’s kitchen renovation experts, and we’re looking forward to creating a kitchen you can enjoy. But don’t just take our word for it, have a look at our LIDA Construction reviews and testimonials page.
Renovating your kitchen means you have the opportunity to design the perfect space for cooking, eating, and spending time with family and friends. LIDA Construction’ skilled craftsmen and talented interior designers are committed to customer service and making sure your custom kitchen is everything you want it to be. Contact us today to start your Victoria BC kitchen renovation project.