The Complete Guide To Designing and Renovating Your Kitchen

Designing and renovating your kitchen can be a daunting task, especially if it's your first time.

A kitchen is the heart of a home, and its design speaks volumes about your personality and lifestyle. A well-designed kitchen can significantly boost the value of your home. It can also make cooking and entertaining an enjoyable experience for you and your guests. However, before you embark on your kitchen renovation project, there are some important factors you need to keep in mind. In this blog post, we'll give you a complete guide to designing and renovating your kitchen with tips for homeowners.

Plan Your Kitchen Renovation Project
The first step in designing and renovating your kitchen is to plan your project. This includes setting your budget, deciding on the design style you want, the appliances that will fit your lifestyle, and the materials you will need. It's important to prioritize your renovation needs so you can allocate your budget accordingly. A contractor or kitchen designer can help you plan your project and offer valuable advice.

Determine the Kitchen Layout
The layout and flow of your kitchen are crucial factors to consider when designing and renovating. You want to optimize your kitchen space to create a functional and efficient workflow. The three most popular kitchen layouts are U-shaped, L-shaped, and galley. Your choice will depend on your space availability and your preferred style.

Choose Your Kitchen Cabinetry
Cabinets play a significant role in the design and functionality of your kitchen. Consider the materials, style, and color you want for your cabinets. You can choose custom-made cabinets or semi-custom ones. Custom-made cabinetry allows you to have full control over the design, size, and materials. Semi-custom options offer more design options at a lower cost.

Select Kitchen Appliances
Kitchen appliances also play a significant role in the functionality of your kitchen. You want to choose appliances that fit your lifestyle and cooking preferences. Popular appliance brands include GE, LG, Bosch, Samsung, and KitchenAid. You can go for energy-efficient appliances to save on your energy bills.

Work With a Reputable Contractor
A contractor plays a vital role in designing and renovating your kitchen. You want to work with a reputable one who has years of experience and a good track record. Consider asking for references and viewing their portfolio before hiring them. A good contractor will help you stay within budget, ensure quality workmanship, and handle any unexpected issues that may arise.

In conclusion, designing and renovating your kitchen is a significant investment that requires careful planning and consideration. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your kitchen renovation project is a success. Remember to focus on functionality, design, and efficiency when making decisions about the layout, cabinets, and appliances. Additionally, work with a reputable contractor to ensure you get quality workmanship within your budget. Good luck with your kitchen renovation project!

Get more tips on RISMedia.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Is the Housing Market Heading Toward a Soft Landing? Here’s What the Latest Statistics Say

Talk of a soft landing seems to be everywhere of late, as pundits ponder whether the Fed’s rate hikes can strike that tricky balance between cooling inflation without plunging the economy into a recession.

While it’s still too soon to say what will happen, many may also wonder: Does this hoped-for soft landing apply to America’s housing market, too?

So far at least, the U.S. housing market has been having a crummy summer that feels anything but soft for both homebuyers and sellers.

In July, homeowners mostly opted to sit tight and ride out the tough market conditions rather than list their properties for sale. That meant house hunters had slimmer pickings to choose from—40,000 fewer homes across the U.S., according to the latest monthly data from Realtor.com®.

“Sellers are still on the sidelines, locked in to lower interest rates with low expectations of rates improving significantly over the next year,” Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale notes in her report.

It all adds up to a housing market stuck in limbo, with would-be buyers and sellers watching and waiting, hoping things change in their favor.

Inside the housing market’s summer slump

For now, homeowners seem resigned to waiting for market conditions to change.

In July, according to the report, the number of newly listed homes entering the market was a whopping 20.8% lower than last year. For buyers, that meant that the total number of homes for sale (both new listings and old) was 6.4% lower than last year.

Among the 50 biggest metro areas in the U.S., the inventory of homes for sale is now just half what it was in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, it’s safe to say that no one is happy with home prices. Listing prices, or what sellers hope to get, are ticking lower—down 0.9% in July compared with last year—to $440,000. And the median sale price, or what’s agreed to in contracts, was also down, by 1.6% compared with last year.

For buyers, “Any relief is welcome, but let’s put it in context. This is a small bit of relief, not a huge discount,” says Hale.

Plus, she warns, “We don’t know how long it will last.”

Buyers are also contending with mortgage rates that have stayed higher for longer than most people expected or wanted. This has ratcheted up the cost of financing 80% of the typical home by 15.9% compared with July of last year, which amounts to an extra $317 per month.

Why the pace of home sales is slowing

Fewer homes at higher costs have understandably slowed the market. The typical home spent 45 days on the market this July, which is 12 days longer than the same time last year.

For homebuyers accustomed to seeing homes fly off the market in a matter of hours, this longer pace means they have time to let properties sit a while before deciding to pull the trigger.

However, from a big-picture perspective, homes are still spending 12 fewer days on the market than they did in the pre-pandemic era, suggesting everyone is having to move relatively quickly compared with in the past.

So as summer wanes, buyers might face a more existential question: Should I keep trying?

“This is not the time to hurry up and buy,” says Hale, but she definitely does not think buyers should give up entirely.

“Can you find what you need from the housing market and can you afford it? If you can, then it makes sense to keep looking,” she says. “Don’t try to time macro factors. If you’re always waiting for the right moment, you could end up waiting forever.”

Get more on Realtor.com

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado
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Find a Dog a Home: Meet Kenzo!

Meet Kenzo!

He is a 4 year old German Shepard mix, neutered and up to date on all of his shots. He came in as a stray and was never reclaimed. He is very loving, sweet and smart! He rides perfectly in a car and walks well on a leash. He is 95 pounds and needs an owner who can handle a large dog. He's a very good boy and is looking for his forever home. Please consider adopting this sweet boy. You can find Kenzo at Carteret County Humane Society, 853 Hibbs Road, Newport.

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: From Dream to Reality

Client of Lora Martinez - W+M Agent

The owner of Brickle Bakery bought their place in 2021 with the help of West + Main agent Lora Martinez because they loved the Highlands Denver location, the large window presence, 14-foot ceilings, and the option for mixed-use space for a bakery.

In thinking about the remodel, they wanted the clean, minimal, earthy, and textured "Japandi" design that they love so much. They also wanted to add a huge solid island that could seat 10 people, ensuring enough space for rolling out dough and holding bakery classes. They also love hosting friends and family in their dreamy kitchen!

"We selected quartz countertops for durability and also wanted the kitchen to be very functional with huge rolling flour bins and a sheet pan rack that fits underneath the island," they explained. "By selecting a commercial grade fridge and freezer as well as a two door oven and induction stovetop that would fit a full size sheet pan, but not be overly deep in size so it can still fit in a residential area, it all makes sense and looks beautiful."

Once their kitchen was complete, they added plants above the cabinets. This simple touch brought a natural and welcoming vibe to the space.

A Slice of History

2951 Wyandot St. in the Highlands area of Denver was built in 1889 by Tallmadge and Boyer. Originally a horse and carriage turnaround point, it has served as a second hand dry goods store, carpenter shop, furniture shop, bakery, and more. It sat vacant from 1970 to 2001 and has since been used as a half residential, half commercial space, currently housing the bakery and living quarters. The original brick, stone, and stained glass windows still remain, making it one of Denver's oldest buildings and a hub for entrepreneurs since the 1800s!

MATERIALS AND SOURCES:

Cabinets: White and beige cabinets are from Ikea and the wood cabinets are from Kabi Custom Cabinets (to fit the wide oven).

Backsplash: TileBar Loft Sand Beach 2x8 Polished Glass Subway Tile

Front Wall Tile: TileBar Chips Macro Bianco White 8x8 Terrazzo Look Matte Porcelain Tile

Wall Slats: The Wood Veneer Hub

Paint: Taupe of the Morning and Natural White

Contractor: PDC Painting, LLC (pdc.paintingllc@gmail.com)

Interior Designer: Moe Elio of Moe Jo Designs

Electrical: Tegra Electric

Floors: Lee's Floor Service, LLC

Appliances: Ferguson

Stools: Room and Board

To see more photos visit:
westandmain.co/magazine

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon

Find a Dog a Home: Meet Wonderbite

Meet Wonderbite!

She is less than one year old, very sweet, but shy and wants to please. She's potty trained and does great with other dogs and cats. She's a good girl and is looking for her forever home.

You can find her at the Carteret County Humane Society. 853 Hibbs Road, Newport, NC.

Looking for the perfect dog for your home? Reach out to Gray,, she would be happy to make a rescue connection!

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