| kitchen remodel (2)

Every year, Houzz surveys homeowners who are completing renovations on their home to learn about trends and preferences in a variety of project types. This year, their kitchen survey revealed shifts in design styles and confirmed selections that continue to gain and maintain their popularity.

This desperately dark kitchen was suffering from a lack of light, storage and a poor layout. The main source of light was provided by a decades old ceiling fan, the refrigerator blocked the main traffic path to and from the living room, and a sliding door was taking up prime real estate that could be used for storage.

Subway tile has been having a moment…a big one actually. For years it’s been a mainstay in kitchen tile designs for backsplashes and bathroom shower surrounds. We love it for its classic appeal, ability to work in all types of design aesthetics, and variety of available colors and materials. But, sometimes our clients are seeking a different or unique tile design for their remodel. Thompson Remodeling’s design team enjoys finding the right tile to suit each client’s preferences. Here are just a few examples of tile designs from recent remodels where the homeowners decided to go beyond the subway tile movement.

One major component of every remodeling project is figuring out how to incorporate storage options, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. Every household accumulates “stuff” and the bigger your family is the more you will have. Thompson Remodeling has experience working with Grand Rapids families of two people to up to eight and more! We will work with you to find creative ways to accommodate all that important stuff you need to keep in each room to make it function at its best. One solution we have found to work really well is floor to ceiling cabinets. They can be integrated to match other cabinetry within a room and offer unlimited options for drawers, pullouts, cubbies and other internal organizing systems.

Abracadabra – your remodel is finished! It would be amazing if we could simply snap our fingers and present a gorgeous kitchen remodel like a magic trick, but unfortunately, we aren’t magicians. The truth is, every remodeling project is a custom construction project completed by human hands and fine craftsmanship takes time, but trust us, it’s worth the wait.

For decades, the go-to arrangement of the kitchen was known as the “kitchen triangle”. This layout dictates that a refrigerator, sink, and stove be positioned so that the path between the three creates a triangular traffic pattern, with an eye toward making the steps between each minimal. Though this is still a good school of thought, not all kitchens are conducive to it due to the space available. A more effective way of planning a kitchen layout is to organize it by work zones. Every kitchen needs at least three primary zones: prep, cooking, and cleaning. Developing a layout based on work zones will maximize available space in the most efficient way for your family. By considering the needs of your household, a kitchen may need additional zones for eating or pets and a talented designer will be sure to incorporate them into the design plan.

One of the top design elements of a kitchen remodel is an eat-in space. Nearly every family would like to include a spot to have informal meals or to entertain guests. In the past few years, several of our remodels have incorporated a banquette into the kitchen design. We think it’s a great feature and there are a few specific situations where it is the perfect solution to a family’s needs.

Your countertop selection is a key design component for a kitchen or bathroom remodel. Granite is a great option for homeowners who want to use a natural material with unique patterns and features. Once you find that perfect piece of granite, the next thing you have to determine is the finish you would like. There are three types of granite finishes: polished, honed, and rough. One may lend itself better than another based on the design aesthetic you wish to create.

Multi-generational living has become very common in the last decade. This type of living arrangement can include older parents that don’t want to live alone, disabled relatives who need assistance, and even children who have left the nest that have come back after college. With that in mind, a household may have family members that range in age from under a year to the eighties and nineties. But if you think about it for a moment, do you think your kitchen could handle the needs of everyone in that family?

Stainless appliances have been THE popular choice for kitchen appliances for more than a decade. We love them for their sleek look and versatility to work in any type of design aesthetic from traditional to modern. But if you are thinking about renovating your kitchen and you want to go with something different, there are options that are just as good looking as stainless. In this blog we are going to talk about when using white, black or paneled front appliances are good alternatives.

Coverings is an annual trade show that showcases the latest tile and stone products. Earlier in April, the show was held in Orlando and featured 9 miles worth of trends and exhibits. Wow, that’s a lot of floor and wall coverings! Although we didn't attend, we've done our research to keep up with the latest innovations and how designers and trendsetters are using tile. Since the majority of our remodeling projects include flooring and sometimes wall coverings, tile is a material we talk about every day. And if you are planning a remodeling project, it’s probably in your future as well. So, take a look and check out the trends that were spotted at this year’s Coverings show below.

The use of reclaimed and recycled materials has become extremely popular in remodeling. Although it may have started as a trend, it has now become more mainstream to look for ways to incorporate salvaged materials into remodeling designs. It’s really a win-win decision. Not only can homeowners and remodelers feel good about using environmentally friendly materials, but they can also enjoy the unique character that reclaimed items bring to a remodeled space. If you love the concept but don’t know where to start, here are some ideas on how you can reuse, recycle or upcycle in a kitchen remodel.