Achieve Your Kitchen Goals This Spring with Expert Tips

Who among us hasn’t had their head turned by a shiny new kitchen? Large spaces with gleaming floors, marble surfaces, apron sinks, and warming drawers. As the hardworking heart of any home, much time is spent in the room no matter its size. With anticipated tax refunds and even stimulus checks, more people than ever are considering a refresh to the household hub. On a shoestring budget, this can be as simple as a weekend of repainting cabinets and switching out hardware, or on the other end of the spectrum, a major undertaking and investment, requiring much planning and professional help.

Jennifer Voll, showroom manager at Cypress Design Co. in East Providence, tells us that hiring professionals is a must. “There are so many elements that go into a kitchen remodel that if you leave anything to chance it could end up costing you far more and extending the time of the project.” As an example, Voll cites, “You can spend $50K on cabinetry, but if you hire an unlicensed handyman to install them, then you really have done yourself an enormous disservice.” She advises that the first step is knowing what exactly you can spend. “General rule of thumb for a kitchen renovation is spending approximately 12-15 percent of the value of the home.”

Timing is everything in a kitchen re-do. Voll says knowing your contractor’s time frame as well as the lead time of materials is key. “Having everything coordinated well in advance allows for a quicker install. Also, be aware that due to COVID, many manufacturers were forced to shut down or limit production, so long lead times are being experienced throughout the entire industry.”

“People spend so much of their time in the kitchen that it’s essential to utilize every square inch to fit the needs of the people who call the space home. People want the kitchen to be a gathering space,” says Voll. As far as trends, she notes that the open concept plan has not really gone anywhere in the last few years: “Customers are comfortable knocking down walls and losing a formal dining room to incorporate a roomy island to sit around while cooking, eating, doing homework, and enjoying a glass of wine.”