A kitchen remodel can completely change the way you use your home. It can also be one of the more complicated remodeling projects because so many different pieces have to work together: cabinets, countertops, appliances, plumbing, electrical, lighting, flooring and sometimes structural changes.
If you’re considering kitchen remodeling in Colorado, good planning is far more important than picking a cabinet color and hoping everything else falls into place.
This guide covers the major decisions you’ll need to make, what affects the cost of a kitchen remodel, and how to create a kitchen that looks great while actually working better for the way you live.
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost in Colorado?
We could put a dollar amount here, but it probably wouldn’t tell you very much.
The cost of remodeling a kitchen depends enormously on what you’re starting with and what you want to accomplish. Replacing cabinets and countertops while keeping the existing layout is a very different construction project from removing walls, relocating plumbing and electrical, installing new flooring and completely redesigning the space.
The biggest factors affecting the cost of a Colorado kitchen remodel include the size of the kitchen, cabinet selection, countertop materials, appliances, flooring, lighting, plumbing and electrical changes, structural modifications and the overall level of finishes you select.
The condition and age of the existing home can matter too. Once construction begins, older homes sometimes reveal electrical, plumbing or structural issues that weren’t visible beforehand.
That’s why a realistic kitchen remodeling budget should be based on the actual kitchen and the work you want performed, not a generic number found online.
Start With the Kitchen Layout
Before choosing cabinets or countertops, decide whether your existing kitchen layout actually works.
If it does, keeping major elements in approximately the same locations can simplify a remodel considerably. Plumbing, electrical connections and ventilation may already be where you need them.
But if the existing layout is the reason you dislike the kitchen, simply installing prettier materials may leave you with an expensive new version of the same problem.
Think about how you move through the kitchen. Where do groceries enter the room? Is there enough room around the refrigerator? Can someone use the sink while another person is cooking? Do cabinet doors and appliances interfere with one another? Is there enough usable counter space where you actually need it?
A successful kitchen layout should make everyday tasks easier, not just look good in photographs.
Should You Open the Kitchen to the Rest of the House?
Opening a kitchen into an adjacent dining or living area remains a popular remodeling request, particularly in homes built when kitchens were designed as separate rooms.
Removing a wall can make a kitchen feel dramatically larger and improve the connection between the kitchen and surrounding living spaces.
But not every wall is simply something that can be knocked down with a sledgehammer.
The wall may be load-bearing. It may contain electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC components or other systems that need to be relocated. Structural changes may require engineering, permits and additional construction.
Before designing the entire new kitchen around removing a wall, determine what that wall is doing for the house.
Kitchen Islands: Bigger Isn’t Always Better
A large kitchen island looks fantastic when the room has enough space for it. In the wrong kitchen, it can become an expensive obstacle.
An island needs adequate clearance around it so people can comfortably walk past one another and open cabinets, drawers, refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens.
The island itself also needs a purpose.
Will it primarily provide prep space? Seating? Storage? A sink? A cooktop? A place for the kids to do homework? Usually it will serve several functions, and those should be considered before determining its dimensions.
Rather than asking, “How big of an island can we fit?” ask, “What do we need this island to do?”
Cabinets Are One of the Most Important Decisions You’ll Make
Cabinetry has an enormous influence on both the appearance and functionality of a kitchen.
There are options at many different price and quality levels, from more standardized cabinet systems to highly customized cabinetry built specifically for the space.
But don’t choose cabinets based entirely on door style and color.
Think about storage.
Deep drawers can make pots and pans easier to access. Pull-out storage can make better use of lower cabinets. Pantry cabinets can dramatically increase food storage. Trash and recycling can be integrated into cabinetry. Corner solutions can turn awkward spaces into usable storage.
A well-designed kitchen doesn’t necessarily need more cabinets. It needs cabinets that make better use of the available space.
Choosing Kitchen Countertops
Countertops have to perform two jobs at once. They are a major visual element in the room, but they’re also a work surface that may be used every single day for decades.
Popular choices include quartz, granite and other natural stone surfaces, along with a variety of additional manufactured and specialty materials.
There isn’t one countertop material that’s right for every kitchen.
Consider how you cook, how much maintenance you’re willing to perform, resistance to stains and heat, durability, edge options and how the material works with your cabinetry, backsplash and flooring.
A countertop sample may look beautiful by itself. The real question is how it looks when combined with everything else in the room.
Don’t Choose Every Finish Separately
This is an easy mistake to make.
You find cabinets you love. Then you find a countertop you love. Then flooring. Then backsplash tile. Then hardware.
Individually, every selection looks great. Put them together and suddenly the kitchen feels too busy or the undertones don’t work together.
Think of the kitchen as one complete design.
Cabinet color, countertops, backsplash, flooring, wall color, appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting and hardware should complement one another rather than compete for attention.
Usually, the room benefits from allowing one or two elements to be the stars while the others support them.
Kitchen Flooring Has to Handle Real Life
Kitchen floors see a lot of abuse.
Water gets spilled. Food gets dropped. Chairs slide across the floor. People walk through wearing wet or dirty shoes. Dogs race through because someone opened the refrigerator.
Appearance matters, but durability and maintenance should be part of the decision too.
If the kitchen opens directly into another living area, flooring also becomes an important design decision. Continuing the same flooring through connected spaces can make the home feel larger and more cohesive, while changing materials can visually define the kitchen.
Plan Your Appliances Before the Cabinets
Don’t wait until the kitchen is nearly finished to decide which appliances you’re buying.
Appliance dimensions affect cabinet openings, countertop dimensions, electrical requirements, plumbing, ventilation and clearances.
A larger refrigerator, professional-style range or specialty appliance can require changes to the kitchen design.
Even if the appliances won’t be purchased immediately, knowing the intended specifications early allows the kitchen to be designed around them rather than trying to make them fit later.
Don’t Underestimate Kitchen Lighting
A beautiful kitchen can still be frustrating if it isn’t properly lit.
Good kitchen lighting usually involves several different functions. General lighting illuminates the room, task lighting helps illuminate work surfaces, and decorative fixtures can provide character and visual interest.
Under-cabinet lighting can be particularly useful because overhead fixtures may leave countertops in shadow while you’re standing in front of them.
Lighting locations should be planned along with the kitchen layout, not added as an afterthought once the cabinets are installed.
Think About Electrical Outlets and Charging
Modern kitchens use a lot more electricity than kitchens designed several decades ago.
Coffee makers, air fryers, mixers, toasters and other countertop appliances all need power. Phones and tablets need charging. Islands may need outlets, and new appliances may have specific electrical requirements.
A remodel is your opportunity to put power where you actually use it.
If the walls are already open and electrical work is being performed, planning for your current and future needs can prevent extension cords and outlet shortages later.
Where Should You Spend Your Kitchen Remodeling Budget?
Every homeowner has different priorities, but money is generally best spent on things that are difficult or expensive to change later.
The layout, cabinetry, electrical work, plumbing, structural work and quality of installation form the foundation of the kitchen.
Decorative items are usually easier to change.
A light fixture can be replaced. Cabinet hardware can be swapped. Walls can be repainted.
Moving the kitchen sink or replacing all of the cabinetry because the layout doesn’t work is another matter entirely.
If your budget requires compromises, think carefully about which decisions you’re going to live with for the longest time.
Should You Stay in Your Home During a Kitchen Remodel?
It depends on the scope of the project and your tolerance for disruption.
A major kitchen remodel can temporarily remove one of the most important rooms in your house. There will be construction noise, dust and periods when appliances, sinks or other conveniences aren’t available.
Some homeowners create a temporary kitchen elsewhere in the house using a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and other small appliances. Others decide that staying elsewhere during certain phases of construction is worth the convenience.
Talk with your contractor about the expected construction sequence so you know what to expect before the kitchen comes apart.
Will Your Kitchen Remodel Need Permits?
Permit requirements depend on where your home is located and what the project involves.
A primarily cosmetic renovation may have very different requirements from a project involving structural changes, plumbing, electrical work or moving walls.
For larger kitchen remodeling projects, permitting and required inspections should be considered during the planning process.
An experienced Colorado general contractor can help determine which portions of the project require permits and coordinate the necessary inspections.
Plan the Kitchen Before Demolition Begins
One of the easiest ways to make a kitchen remodel more expensive is to make major decisions after construction has already started.
Changing the cabinet layout after cabinets have been ordered, selecting different appliances after electrical work has been completed or changing countertops after measurements have been finalized can add cost and delay the project.
Spend the time upfront to get the major decisions right.
A good plan won’t eliminate every surprise that can occur when remodeling an existing home, but it can eliminate many of the expensive surprises that are completely avoidable.
Kitchen Remodeling in Colorado With Accell Construction
A great kitchen remodel isn’t simply a collection of expensive materials. It’s a room where the layout, cabinets, countertops, appliances, lighting and finishes all work together.
Accell Construction provides professional kitchen remodeling in Aurora and throughout the Denver metro area. We can help you evaluate your existing kitchen, determine what isn’t working and develop a remodeling plan that fits your home, your priorities and your budget.
Whether you’re updating an existing layout or completely transforming the kitchen and surrounding living space, good results begin with good planning.
Thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Contact Accell Construction for a free estimate and let’s talk about what you’d like your new kitchen to do better.
