Kitchen and bathroom renovations add value to a home by enhancing your living space’s functionality and aesthetic appeal. When you create a plan and hire a professional, these house updates can go smoothly and efficiently. This guide for the process of renovating your kitchen and bathroom will give you all the information you need to make your remodeling project a success.
Table of Contents:
- What To Consider When Remodeling a Kitchen or Bathroom
- Process for Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling
- Our Process for Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels
- Contact Lesher Stone, Quartz, & Tile
What to Consider When Remodeling a Kitchen or Bathroom
Before you start your home renovation project, think about the following factors to help you decide what materials and features you want to include in your design.
Lifestyle
Since an updated kitchen or bathroom should last at least a decade, it’s helpful to think about how you’ll use these spaces over the next few years. As you inspect your bathroom, consider who uses it and how often. You may want to install an extra sink if this space gets busy in the morning, or you could put in a luxurious bathtub if you’ll use the space to relax in.
It also helps to walk through your kitchen and think about what updates would make it work better for your lifestyle. You might need more storage or room for entertaining large groups, or maybe you’d like to have a better flow for efficient cleaning and cooking. On the other hand, you’ll probably want to prioritize how your kitchen looks if you prefer ordering takeout and having a small group of people over.
Budget
Deciding what changes you’d like to make to your kitchen or bathroom will help you determine a realistic budget. You may want to update your electricity to accommodate new appliances or knock down a wall to give the room more space. These upgrades are significant investments that add to your home’s resale value and improve your kitchen or bathroom’s practicality to accommodate your lifestyle.
As you develop a budget, think about what items are most important to you. Investing in durable, high-quality stone countertops or energy-efficient appliances will save you money in the future. A renovation professional or designer can help you decide where you should invest your money and where you can save. You can also visit stores and showrooms that offer the products you want to get an idea of how much they cost.
Color Scheme
Choose a set of inviting colors you’d like to include in your bathroom or kitchen so you know how to design your materials and fixtures. Neutral tones give your living space a relaxed appearance and tend to stay in style longer than bold colors. Consider using white, gray, black, or brown in your kitchen or bathroom design. You can also add a subtle hint of color through accent pieces, such as the backsplash, plumbing fixtures, decorative plates, or custom stone accessories.
Features
Think about what decorative and functional elements you’d like to include in your kitchen or bathroom design. The kitchen usually has the following components:
- Cabinetry: The cabinets are home to your food items, dishes, and small appliances. Cabinets come in various colors, styles, and textures to complement your kitchen’s aesthetic. You’ll usually have wall-mounted cabinetry and some on the floor, where your countertops will go. You may also want open shelving above your sink for decorative, accessible storage.
- Countertops: Design your kitchen with durable, visually appealing natural stone countertops to entertain your guests and give you space to prepare meals. Look for a countertop material that withstands moisture, acids, and everyday wear and tear.
- Sink: A stone sink provides a unique place for you to wash your dishes, hands, and food items. Consider investing in a low-maintenance stone to save time cleaning after meals.
- Backsplash: Use granite or marble tile to design a long-lasting, eye-catching backsplash. Choose shapes, patterns, and colors that suit your overall design, and select a quality material and finish for an easy-to-clean backsplash.
- Flooring: Your kitchen floor material should be easy to clean and resistant to spills. Your floors should also accommodate your new appliances’ weight. Choose a subtle color for your flooring to enhance the aesthetic of the room.
- Appliances: Consider investing in updated, energy-efficient appliances to save money on your utility costs over time. You can keep your old refrigerator, oven, and stove if they’re in working condition. Upgrading gives you a better chance of matching your new kitchen’s design.
- Lighting: The ceiling fans and light fixtures you include around your kitchen create an inviting atmosphere and help you see while you cook. You may also want to get under-cabinet lighting for a unique design.
You’ll also need the following features for your bathroom renovation:
- Vanity: Your bathroom’s vanity is where you get ready in the morning. Choose a sturdy, visually appealing custom stone vanity to create a focal point in your bathroom. You can either get a freestanding or wall-mounted vanity. Recessed ones can save you a few inches of space.
- Toilet: Consider whether you want a freestanding or wall-mounted toilet. Wall-mounted ones save space, and they’re usually easier to clean. On the other hand, freestanding ones have more straightforward plumbing systems.
- Windows: A frosted window can bring light into your bathroom while maintaining its privacy. Your window should open to let in the fresh air and release the humidity from your shower.
- Flooring: Homeowners usually like using tile flooring in their bathrooms because it’s moisture resistant and easy to clean. This material comes in various colors and textures to achieve your desired look for your living space.
- Shower or tub: Decide whether you want a shower, tub, or combination. You could even get a separate shower and tub if you have the space for it in your bathroom. Consider getting custom stone shower fixtures that’ll last a long time and make a bold statement.
- Lighting: Your bathroom should have bright lighting to wake you up in the morning or create an inviting atmosphere for guests. Besides putting lighting over your vanity, include one or two recessed fixtures over your shower for extra light. You might also want to install a dimmer switch to change the mood in your bathroom.
Process for Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling
Follow this step-by-step guide to help you remodel your kitchen or bathroom.
1. Hire a Professional
Getting professional help for your home renovation project can save you time, energy, and money. A construction contractor delegates tasks and brings your ideas to life. They create a timeline, order the materials, and install everything for you. Find a reliable contractor by reading reviews and testimonials of previous clients. You can also ask your friends and family members for referrals. It helps to find someone with a license and insurance to demonstrate their expertise and ability to perform services in your area.
You may also want to hire an interior designer who can help you choose your kitchen or bathroom’s materials, design, layout, and style. Explore online reviews or ask for referrals from friends and family members to find the right designer for your project. Designers may also feature a project gallery on their site that highlights their past work.
2. Clear the Area
After you’ve figured out how you want to design your bathroom or kitchen and you’ve developed a timeline with your contractor, you can begin demolition. Before your contractor starts removing items from the room, you’ll want to clean out your refrigerator and cabinetry to preserve your belongings. Your contractor will then take care of the following details before installing your new materials and appliances:
- Place a drop cloth on the floors, unless you’re replacing them
- Turn off water, gas, and electrical
- Drain and remove the toilet
- Prepare a dumpster for trash
- Remove drywall and insulation
- Remove appliances
Demolition involves getting rid of all your old appliances, flooring, walls, and fixtures to make room for your new kitchen or bathroom.
3. Update the Plumbing
Once everything is out of your kitchen or bathroom, the contractor can now start working on the plumbing. They need to make sure your current plumbing system is up to code. You may want to have them replace your pipes and plumbing fixtures if they’ve displayed signs of wear. Updating your plumbing involves:
- Updating the shut-off valves
- Adjusting the water pressure
- Adding a gas line
- Addressing leaks and clogs in your pipes
In some cases, you may even need to have your piping replaced.
Plumbing for a bathroom might be more involved because of the various fixtures. Your contractor may recommend installing larger piping in your bathroom, especially in your shower, to provide efficient water flow. They may also have to reroute your water supply lines through an interior wall if you live in an area that experiences below-freezing temperatures in the winter. During this step, the contractor will install your new shower or tub to make sure it works.
4. Upgrade Your Electrical Connections
A contractor usually calls in a professional electrician to help set up your electrical systems, such as:
- Wiring for the garbage disposal
- Light fixtures
- Additional outlets to the countertop or vanity
- Dimmer switches
- Accommodations for a new range and oven
- Wiring for the dishwasher
- Under-cabinet lighting
The electrician may also need to update the circuit breaker to accommodate new energy-efficient appliances and fixtures.
5. Hang and Paint Drywall
Now that the contractor and electrician have taken care of the behind-the-scenes work, they can now install drywall to cover it up again. Your contractor might decide to replace your insulation if it has signs of wear or damage. The air in your kitchen will need to have a relatively low temperature and humidity so the drywall doesn’t soften or crack. Once the contractor has hung up your new drywall, they’ll prime and paint them the color of your choice.
6. Lay Down the Flooring
Your contractor will install your kitchen or bathroom flooring based on the material you chose. Tile requires grout to have each piece stay in place. Laminate, vinyl, and hardwood floors often need a subfloor to protect them from moisture buildup. Proper installation of your flooring will ensure it lasts a long time and continues to make a dramatic first impression on your guests.
7. Install Cabinetry and Countertops
A professional contractor will then install your cabinets securely to the wall so they can safely and effectively hold your items. Your contractor will also make sure your cabinetry is level before setting them up. The kitchen cabinetry or the bathroom vanity includes the sink and faucet. After connecting the vanity and cabinetry to the appropriate plumbing lines, the contractor can also hang up your bathroom mirror. Once your contractor installs the cabinetry, they can lay the countertops on top of them.
8. Bring in Appliances
The last step of the kitchen or bathroom remodeling process is to bring your appliances back into the room. You can save time and money on your project by keeping all your old equipment, or update them to match the new design of this space in your house. You may also want to upgrade your old appliances if the contractor changed your plumbing and electrical systems. Your contractor will often install the toilet in your bathroom last to maintain the integrity of your floors, walls, and appliances.
Our Process for Kitchen and Bathroom Remodels
Our team at Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile can help you with your kitchen and bathroom remodel. We tend to follow this general process when we renovate your living space:
- Meeting with you for the first time: Visit our newly renovated showroom or view our products online to discover what colors, fixtures, and materials you’d like to use to design your kitchen or bathroom. Meeting with us in person allows us to understand your specific project and help you find the right products.
- Creating a vision: It’s helpful for you to bring in or send us a set of pictures, a rough sketch, or a drawing of your project with dimensions. You may also want to bring in paint samples, cabinet doors, or flooring to give us an idea of your kitchen or bathroom’s color scheme. We’ll use these details to create a quote for fabricating, measuring, and installing stone features in your new space.
- Developing an initial quote: After reviewing the information and pictures you give us, we’ll send you an initial quote. You can make updates or ask questions about the items we’ve included during this step.
- Signing the contract: When you’re satisfied with our pricing and materials and decide to move forward with the project, we finalize the details, draw up a contract, and take a 50% deposit.
- Measuring your kitchen or bathroom: We send someone to your house to template your living space, take official measurements, and double-check the details of your bathroom or kitchen remodeling project with you.
- Installing your new materials: We have a network of suppliers and an expert installation team. We’ll take care of the details of your kitchen and bathroom remodeling project so you can have peace of mind that the finished project will complete your vision.
Contact Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile for Your Kitchen or Bathroom Renovation
Choose Lesher Natural Stone, Quartz, & Tile for your custom kitchen renovation or custom bathroom remodel. We’ll walk you through the process from start to finish to ensure you fall in love with your custom kitchen or bathroom. You can also visit our newly renovated showroom to find the perfect stone countertops, tiles, and accessories for your living space. Contact us online for a free quote.
Download our printable checklist to keep track of every step of your bathroom or kitchen remodeling project!
