Cornerstone

Contractor’s Corner: Give your kitchen a makeover!

By Daniel Steinkoler

July 2009

Dear Danny, We read your article last week and are considering remodeling our very old kitchen as a way of keeping up the value of our home. We had a couple of questions: what can we do that is relatively inexpensive but that will be useful in terms of market value? What are buyers looking for these days? And, well, our kitchen is very old and has a kind of charm. We don’t want to lose that charm with that newfangled post-modern cold feeling. How do we keep the old charm while at the same time bringing the kitchen up to date?
David and Michelle, Glover Park

Dear David and Michelle,
It’s been said that the kitchen is the “soul of the home.” One’s kitchen is the most intimate part of one’s home. People spend a lot of time in their kitchens, which have become a primary area where everyone naturally congregates. At how many parties do guests move into the kitchen to talk and have a drink? The good news is that your kitchen is the area of your house that you will reap the biggest return on your investment, a crucial factor in planning and prioritizing your renovation in today’s economic environment.

Remodeling and renovating to maintain market value should never sacrifice a home’s special je ne sais quoi, charm or sense of comfort and intimacy. On the contrary, modern conveniences and materials are available to better preserve and augment it. First of all, buyers are looking for energy efficiency, showing concern for green technology and eco-friendly materials and appliances. New energy-saving appliances and countertops that can now be made from recycled materials are available in all colors and finishes. They come in a variety of styles, even “retro” ones that will preserve the “old charm.” Further, many of today’s new appliances will make you enjoy your kitchen more, adding to that feeling of comfort and convenience. These can include a new pot filler near the stove, on-demand hot water or insta-hot for tea lovers. A space saver, hidden drawer microwave is a popular new appliance that increases convenience and functionality and can be placed in an unobtrusive location. In addition many people may consider having their original cabinets refinished or resurfaced in order to save money, and more important, maintain the original feel of the kitchen.
If you don’t have the finances available for a total remodeling there are many small projects you can do that will make a big market difference. These include new countertops, sink, faucet and a paint job. These make an enormous aesthetic difference and are relatively inexpensive to do. You can even consider adding backsplash tile. You can find a variety of elegant patterns and colors for a low cost.

Superior Home Services, Inc.
Info@superiorhomservicesinc.com 202-363-7304

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