5 Verde Valley Kitchen Remodel Upgrade Considerations that Matter
Those who’ve spent a summer in Verde Valley understand firsthand how hard kitchens are worked – whether used for preparing daily meals or cooking a feast for friends and family, the kitchen is the heart of the home.
For many Verde Valley residents, the purpose of a kitchen remodel is often less about what’s fashionable or trending and more about ensuring proper flow and function, adequate storage, easy to clean materials, protection from the elements (namely allergens) – all while delivering a comfortable, inviting space to enjoy throughout the seasons.
#1 Fix the Layout First
In many Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Clarkdale, and Cornville homes, the most significant “improvement” often comes from eliminating bottlenecks, rather than simply installing a new countertops or cabinetry.
When fixing a poorly laid out kitchen, we start by determining how users move from fridge to sink to cooktop, and where users cut through the work area for traffic purposes. The ultimate goal is to:
- Provide maximum usability of prep areas near the sink and cooktop;
- Provide a reasonable landing space next to the oven and refrigerator; and
- Maintain open paths between these areas at busy times, such as when there are too many cooks in the kitchen.
If you plan to move walls, relocate plumbing, or change your kitchen’s electrical, do not guess on costs. Talk to a local construction professional first to confirm permit requirements and what the work will actually involve (to avoid surprises down the road).
Keep in mind, different municipalities issue permits in Verde Valley, which varies by your particular location. For example, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, and Clarkdale each have their own rules and mandates for obtaining building permits and passing inspections. Unincorporated areas generally route through Yavapai County for all permits.
#2 Storage Upgrades You Feel Every Day
One of the biggest challenges Verde Valley residents with older, small homes face is having ample storage needed to keep their kitchen neat and tidy.
We help meet this challenge by with smart-design kitchens that feature:
- Deep drawers for pots and pans, pull out drawers for recycling and trash.
- Interior finishes that allow you to easily see and access items you use every day.
- Tall pantry cabinets and/or walk-in pantry storage.
By using drawers instead of large base cabinets for your pots and pans, you reduce clutter by giving them a dedicated home within the kitchen instead of piling everything on top of one another.
Cabinet selection is where style and day-to-day function meet. If you choose cabinet finishes and hardware that fit your overall design and are easy to wipe down, you end up with a lower-maintenance kitchen that’s easier to keep clean and dust-free.
The best place to start, when selecting cabinet styles and finishes, is to consider how you want to organize your kitchen and then select a cabinet style and finish that fits within your home’s overall design.
Our design team can help with all aspects of your new kitchen – functionality, storage, and overall look.
#3 Surfaces That Handle Real Life
When constructing a new kitchen that’s going to be utilized multiple times a day, we recommend going with surfaces that are more about cleanability and durability than overall looks. For example, light-colored counters are easier to spot food debris and spills for more accurate cleaning.
The countertop should also be able to handle everything from hot pans to spills to constant wiping without you having to be concerned about damaging – wearing down or easily chipping.
Backsplashes should be easy to clean as well, especially behind the range (if applicable) and in the prep zones where there is often plenty of food ingredients and liquids splashing around.
The flooring has to hold up well too, no matter how much grit comes in from the yard or how many times it gets swept or mopped when cleaning. Ceramic tile, vinyl wooden planks, and even engineered hardwood are all very reliable options that compliment most kitchens.
#4 Comfort Upgrades That Change How the Kitchen Lives
For added comfort during Verde Valley’s hot summers, we recommend proper ventilation, LED lighting, and low-energy appliances. A good exhaust fan cleans the air of any food related smells and moisture from cooking, and moves the warm air outdoors where it belongs.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has developed and continues to improve upon general guidelines regarding range hoods that vent outside, as well as the minimum airflow standards we use for determining what option is best for your kitchen size.
Lighting is the second comfort multiplier in your kitchen. It provides greater illumination and helps give the impression of more space in smaller kitchens. More light leads to a more sanitary, cleaner kitchen as well.
Task lighting also eliminates shadows caused during food preparation, which can be frustrating.
If you are removing or replacing cabinets, walls, or appliances, now is a good time to develop a plan to add different types of lighting (layered lighting), such as task lighting under cabinets.
Energy Star provides guidelines for using LED lights when remodeling your home, which helps ensure efficient, durable replacement lights are used.
#5 Smart Spend Priorities
To get the most value out of your new kitchen investment, here’s a rule of thumb to follow:
- First thing to invest in is the layout/flow
- Second is storage
- Third is comfort
- Last is the actual finishes
In most cases, when we say to save finish spending for last, we mean tiles and the “final touch” items like faucet finishes and cabinet hardware finishes should come after you have nailed the cabinet design and the behind-the-scenes work like ventilation and lighting.
A good rule for Verde Valley homeowners who want to avoid costly mistakes while finishing their kitchens is to create an appliance plan and establish the cabinet layout, then install countertops, flooring, backsplashes and light fixtures in that order.
This approach prevents you from having to change finishes that do not suit your kitchen function after the kitchen layout is established.
Get the Ball Rolling On Your Verde Valley Kitchen Remodel Today!
A kitchen renovation that impacts your life here in the Verde Valley is one that you notice every day, not just once it is revealed. Remember, the layout should be accessible, provide ample storage, contain appropriate surface materials, and have adequate ventilation and lighting so the room is usable during all four seasons.
When remodeling your kitchen, it’s important to know that Verde Valley kitchens are often left to deal with high summer heat and afternoon seasonal rains, known for inviting in unwanted moisture, dust, and pollen. We take this and all other aspects of your life into consideration when designing your perfect kitchen space.
For a kitchen remodel consultation, reach out to Outlook Construction & Remodeling’s design team today. We can explain how to get more out of your space, provide you with mock-up designs, and handle the entire construction process, from start to finish, regardless of how big or small your upgrades are.
