People are spending more time at home as part of the ‘new normal’ and most are looking for ways to improve their abode.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, people are spending more time in their homes. And a lot of them are looking around at their abode and thinking it’s time to make a change.
According to a recent Bank of America study on changing consumer habits amid the pandemic, 70% of Americans surveyed said they had plans to tackle home improvement projects this year with more projects planned for 2021.
One of the most popular places for homeowners with an itch for home improvement is, of course, the kitchen.
A survey conducted by Realtor.com found that upgraded kitchens, more space, and home gyms are among the top desires of homeowners sheltering-in-place.
“As the hub of activity for many households, the kitchen is a space that commands efficient, functional design,” says Family Features in a recent article on remodeling.
“Aside from the practical issue of losing access to space while it’s under construction, there’s another important challenge for homeowners to consider when tackling a kitchen remodel: for maximum return on your investment, avoid making choices that are too trendy or personal.”
This is great advice. Even though you’ve got impeccable taste and your friends all rave about your decor, not everyone is going to like what you like. This is particularly important when it comes time to sell your house.
“Design trends come and go, so while a contemporary update is almost always a good idea, many design experts recommend sticking with classic looks and styles that have broad appeal.”
This is especially true for big-ticket items like a custom-installed stovetop, cabinets and countertops.
If you want to infuse your kitchen with something a bit more dramatic than the norm, express yourself on the backsplash tile or with the wall color, which can be relatively easily changed by potential homebuyers.
“Another area to give special attention is the overall ambiance of the room,” says Family Features, “which is largely influenced by the light from natural and electric sources. For a room that needs brightening, skylights are a smart option because they free up wall space for more storage and cabinets while adding abundant natural light”.
Skylights are also a great option because they can be opened to allow fresh air inside and keep your kitchen smelling fresh and clean.
Choosing the right Cooktop
This is perhaps the most important choice in the kitchen. After all, the main reason your in the kitchen is to cook, right?
The choice of cooktop comes down to gas, electric, and induction. While each has its pros and cons depending upon each person’s tastes, more and more people are choosing to use induction.
This is especially true for people looking to install a stylish cooktop that has a low profile. With it embedded design and controls and easy to clean glass surface, induction cooktops are an increasingly popular choice for kitchen remodels.
But people are choosing induction for more than just the look, says Tyler Wells Lynch and Cindy Bailen writing over at Reviewed.com
“On almost all counts, induction is faster, safer, cleaner, and more efficient than either gas or electric,” the pair say.” And yes, we’ve done exhaustive oven testing in our labs to support that claim.”
If you have any questions about choosing the cooktop that’s right for you feel free to drop us a line anytime: info@dipoinduction.com
