FAQ For Kitchen Remodels in Keller: Tile and Cabinets

For many homeowners, especially avid cooks, the kitchen is the very best room in the house. It's a highly utilitarian space that sees a lot of use and traffic, so it needs to function according to your unique needs. Because you spend a lot of time there, it should also be suited to your tastes and serve as an attractive, welcoming space for your family. But sometimes, to get your kitchen looking and functioning it's best you need to invest in a Keller kitchen remodel.

If you've decided your kitchen needs a little something (or many big somethings) added to help it live up to those lofty ideals, you probably have some questions about the kitchen remodel process. Whether you're planning a major remodel to get your dream kitchen or you just want to make a few changes and tweaks to what you already have, there are a lot of factors to consider.

This guide is focused on some of the most frequently asked questions about Keller kitchen remodels, with insights provided by our team of Keller handyman experts. We hope these answers from Mr. Handyman of Keller, Roanoke and Alliance will give you the information and inspiration needed to plan your perfect modern Keller kitchen remodel.

It could feel overwhelming to start such a big improvement project. You likely have a few ideas and a sense of what kind of style you like, but it's important to narrow those ideas down as much as possible. While small details might change along the way, ideally you’ll come back to the same aesthetic time and time again.

How Do I Gather Inspiration for My Keller Kitchen Remodel?

While you likely have a few ideas and a sense of what kind of style you like in your new space, it is easy to get overwhelmed while starting such a big improvement project. Any type of renovation could quickly spiral out of control, and you might feel disappointed with the results without careful planning.

It's important to gather inspiration, and then narrow your ideas down as much as possible to a cohesive aesthetic. The success of your Keller kitchen remodel relies on you being able to clearly communicate your vision to designers and contractors. Naturally, some details might change along the way, but you should have a clear sense of the big picture. There are many places where you can gather design inspiration:

• Flip through design magazines

• Scroll through Pinterest

• Collect a folder of images that speak to your aesthetic

• Make use of Instagram Saves

Once you have an idea of what you want in your kitchen design, it will be much easier to decide on what colors you want in the space, if you're opting for a traditional vs. modern aesthetic, and what details and finishes you want to include.

How Do I Create a Keller Kitchen Remodel Budget?

The budget is one of the most important parts of your Keller kitchen remodel. Without a clear budget, the project will be significantly more stressful and you may find yourself spending a lot more than you anticipated.

Renovating is a big decision, so it's really important that you think carefully about how much you can realistically spend. Breaking down such a big project by the numbers can feel frustrating for some. While you may have a general idea of how much you're willing to spend, it's essential that you do your research and have a clear cost breakdown.

Firstly, it’s important to always leave a cushion for unexpected costs. There are always unexpected situations in any new kitchen remodeling project that push the budget past what you were planning to spend—even if you have carefully planned out every little thing.

To prepare for emergencies in advance, add at least 20% on top of the average cost you've calculated. That way, unexpected issues like discovering you have a mold problem can be handled without financial stress. Once you've put away 20% of your budget in a rainy day fund, use this helpful chart to break down the rest of your remodel budget:

Is Tile in Keller Kitchens Outdated?

The short answer is absolutely not! The long answer is that tile will always be in style because there's such a wide range of colors, sizes, shapes, textures, and configurations to choose from. However, there are some specific types of tile installations that are indeed quite outdated. For example, tile on countertops is an outdated trend that hopefully won't be coming back in style. It makes for an aggravating work surface and isn't the most sanitary countertop option due to the grout lines. That being said, tile on kitchen floors and backsplashes is still very much in style because of its beauty, durability, and protective qualities.

Which Type of Tile is Best for Keller Kitchen Flooring?

That depends on a few factors. Before you choose a tile floor for your kitchen renovation, you should consider the pros and cons of various types. Our Keller tile experts are very experienced with all types of installations, so if you need advice, don't hesitate to contact Mr. Handyman.

Ceramic or porcelain are the most obvious and popular choices, because they're durable, relatively inexpensive, and can stand up to a lot of abuse in high-traffic areas. They come in hundreds of styles and can mimic the look of other materials. They're actually both made of the same material, but porcelain has a different manufacturing process that makes it even more durable and water resistant—but also generally a bit more expensive—than ceramic.

Stone tiles such as slate or travertine are natural materials that are strikingly beautiful and can serve as a conversation piece for the room, but they require regular maintenance such as resealing to keep them looking good, and they're the more expensive option. You may be willing to do a little extra work in exchange for natural charm and beauty, but it's good to be honest with yourself about how much maintenance you're willing to put in.

What About Tile for Kitchen Backsplashes?

When it comes to wall tiles, such as kitchen backsplashes, the options open up a little more because you don't need to worry as much about durability. That's why a glass tile backsplash is such a popular choice. They're much too delicate for the floor, but their translucent beauty and wide array of color options can really enhance the look of your kitchen. A mosaic tile backsplash made with tiny mosaic tiles set in a pattern is also a good choice to add visual interest and a bit of color to the wall.

How Important Are My Appliances and Ventilation?

Your stove and oven are two of the most used appliances in your kitchen—so, they are also two of the most important facets to consider, along with your fridge, dishwasher and microwave. Your appliances take up quite a lot of room and sometimes have to go in certain areas. For this reason, they impact everything else in your kitchen, from your countertop length to how much space you have for storage.

Since appliances are such an important part of your Keller kitchen remodel, it's absolutely essential that you install them first and plan the rest of the remodel around where your appliances go. If you wait until midway through or near the end of the construction process to choose your appliances, your contractor might have to re-do work that’s already been completed if it turns out your appliances don't fit properly.

When it comes to ventilation, this is one of those practical aspects of remodeling a kitchen that many Keller homeowners neglect to think about. It's also important that your space is properly ventilated. Subsequently, you need to make sure you install a good hood fan—and use it! Fans can be noisy and seem disruptive, but if you don't use your hood fan all kinds of smoke, grime and cooking residues will build up on your ceiling and walls. This creates not only a big mess, but also will damage your ceiling and drywall over time. This can result in the need for ceiling repair or drywall repair provided by our expert Keller handyman team.

How Much Storage Space Do I Need in My Keller Kitchen?

Regardless of how big your home is, storage is an absolute must-have in a kitchen. It can be incredibly aggravating to not have enough room to store pots, pans, crockery, and of course, food items. Perhaps you are perfectly happy with the amount of storage you have currently, but most Keller homeowners are happy to have more than less storage. The kitchen is definitely a room in the house where a lot of stuff winds up getting stored.

Additions such as pantries, kitchen islands, hanging pot racks, pull-out cutting boards, cabinet turntables, and many other options can better utilize the space available and make it a lot less frustrating to use the kitchen. When it comes to deciding how much storage you need, consider how much you use your kitchen. If you are an avid cook and love to collect tools and appliances, you'll need more room than someone who orders takeout most days.

Also remember to think laterally depending on the amount of space you have to work with while remodeling. A pantry can be a separate room like a walk-in closet, but it can also be as simple as a large cabinet for storing dried goods. Or, perhaps you prefer the look of open shelves and want to arrange your spices, flour, salt and other dried goods in mason jars for a rustic aesthetic.

Should I Replace My Cabinets or Just Reface Them?

When you want to change or improve your cabinetry as part of a Keller kitchen remodel, then you may want kitchen cabinet refacing or a full, custom cabinet replacement from a skilled handyman. Refacing means replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts, changing outdoor handles and drawer knobs, and applying new veneers to the visible parts of the exterior cabinet boxes. Replacement means removing the old cabinets entirely and putting in new ones.

If you're happy with the layout of your cabinets, and they're in decent condition, yet you’d like a different look, refacing is a valid way to save some time and money. But, if your cabinet boxes are damaged or you want them in a different location, replacement is a more effective choice. Mr. Handyman's carpenters have the skill and experience to design custom cabinets that are flawlessly tailored to your needs and wants.

What's the Most Cost-Effective Way to Change the Look of My Cabinets?

When you have a limited remodeling budget and really want to change the look and style of your cabinets, there's a surprisingly simple, cost-effective way to manage it: change out the cabinet hardware. You may be skeptical that those little cabinet door handles and drawer pulls could make much of a difference, but it really is surprising how much they can alter the look of the entire room.

Your handyman can help you find hardware that will match any color palette and style, from rustic to minimalist, and there are some really fun, quirky options available. They don't even have to match each other—you can get an eclectic look by going for different but complementary styles on lower and upper cabinets.

What Color of Keller Kitchen Cabinets Never Goes Out of Style?

Overall, you shouldn't worry too much about styles and trends because it is, after all, your kitchen project—so it should suit your tastes. However, choosing timeless colors will ensure that you aren't looking at another remodel a few years down the road, and will also help increase your return on investment for sellers who want to increase property value.

If you're looking for the ultimate classic look that will always be in style, you can't go wrong with white cabinets—whether they're matte or glossy, they'll give your kitchen a fresh, bright look that can be styled many different ways with accessories and appliances that offer a pop of color. As an added benefit, you won't have to complete another Keller kitchen remodel down the road when you decide to sell your house, as white is a neutral shade.

How Do I Choose Which Colors to Include in My Kitchen Makeover?

A fresh coat of paint can be exactly what outdated rooms need to be transformed into bright and welcoming spaces. Often, when homeowners move into a new build the walls are painted in neutral colors. This is a great option if you're planning on selling your home in the near future, but if you intend on setting up roots, then why not add a bit of color? Be bold! Pick colors that speak to you and communicate how you want your kitchen wall and the surrounding areas to feel after your remodel. Greens and blues often have a calming effect, while browns and reds give off a more cozy feeling. Color can be an opportunity to put your personal stamp on the space. However, many homeowners feel overwhelmed at the thought of putting together a color scheme that works. To help you choose what colors are best in your kitchen, we advise you to keep to the rule of threes and to use the color wheel.

The Rule of Threes

This design concept is very straightforward to use during a kitchen remodel in Keller: Pick three colors and stick to those throughout the room. But, an important stipulation is that the colors should not appear in equal ratios. Instead, use the 70/20/10 rule. Organize the colors from lightest to darkest. Then, use the lightest color in 70% of the area, the second lightest in 20% of the space, and the darkest, boldest or most distinct color in 10% of the room. This rule can also apply to a bathroom remodeling project and many other areas of your home.

The Color Wheel

This design insight might make you think of returning to high school art class, and some basic knowledge about primary and secondary colors. There are many ways to create a palette using the color wheel, and it's often used by designers and artists alike to know what shades work well together. For most Keller homeowners, the easiest tricks to remember are the analogous scheme and complementary scheme. The former uses colors that are beside each other, like orange, yellow, and green. The latter uses opposite colors, like blue and orange. Both styles create color palettes that are stunning, match well and are a great way to add your personal spin on your Keller kitchen remodel.

What Do I Need to Know About Lighting?

Lighting is one of the most fundamental aspects of any room. It can transform a drab, dreary and cold space into one that is warm and welcoming. Not to mention, lighting is also essential for completing tasks like chopping vegetables, putting away dishes and learning how to make buttercream flowers during your next cake decorating adventure. Trying to cook when you can't see very well is frustrating—and no one wants to spend time in an unwelcoming kitchen.

While we're sure you'll have at least one main light source as part of your Keller kitchen remodel, the trick to creating lighting that evokes a true ambience is to layer it. To make sure the space is adequately illuminated, so you can cook safely and enjoy being in the space, layer together three light sources:

• General overhead lighting, which illuminates the room as a whole

• Task lighting that is more focused for food preparation

• Accent lighting, such as wall sconces, that rounds-out the space's illumination

The kinds of lights you choose also make a big impact. For example, fluorescent lighting might be common in schools or at work, but it hardly evokes coziness in your kitchen. Even the lightbulbs you choose can make a big impact. Cold bulbs create cold light. So, most Keller homeowners opt for warmer tones when completing a kitchen remodel.

How Important Are the Details?

In a word, important! You don't have to knock-down your kitchen and rebuild it from the ground up to create your ideal space. There are many small touches that make a big impact, and are easy to complete while remodeling. We've discussed swapping out cabinet hardware, but another option to update your space without embarking on a massive overhaul is to update your baseboards, crown molding and other types of trim in your kitchen. Interior trim features go a long way toward changing the look of any room they’re in, and you can even add them to other parts of the room, such as your cabinets.

Other details that you could consider are what art and decorative items to include in your Keller kitchen. Many homeowners don't think about putting art in the kitchen during a remodel, but it can be a unique way to put your personal stamp on the place. When it comes to decorative items, think beyond the typical fruit bowl. Maybe you could have a hanging display of all your mugs, or your favorite loose-leaf teas lined up according to color on an open shelf. The options are endless!

Mr. Handyman is Your Best Choice for Kitchen Remodels in Keller!

From major kitchen remodels to minor improvements in Keller and nearby areas such as Alliance and Roanoke, the team at Mr. Handyman of Keller, Roanoke and Alliance has the hands-on experience needed to get the job done with quality workmanship and excellent customer service.

Give us a call today at 817-409-8196 or request service online to find out more about how we can transform your kitchen! We have services to help throughout the entire process, as well as additional services to improve other parts of your living space.