TOP 10 KITCHEN REMODEL WISH ITEMS
When it comes to your New York City apartment, the focal point for any gathering or family throughout the day is the time spent in the kitchen. From holiday gatherings to cooking a great meal for the family, the kitchen is what can make or break the value of an apartment. So if you come across a moment when you have money sitting around and you are looking for taking on an apartment renovation, the number one place to put your investment is a kitchen remodel. It is in this space alone you can attack a lot of your wants, albeit with a cost. But here are the top 10 wish items people like to put in their NYC kitchen remodel that will bring value and charm to your home.
1 Quartz Countertops
Nothing brings instant value to a kitchen than having a high-end counter space, which says quartz countertops are the biggest want and added value to a kitchen space. Quartz countertops are a cornerstone of a high-end kitchen, as they hold up extremely well to all elements and are sturdy for all kinds of kitchen prep. Plus the elegant design just adds a charm and wealth component to the area. Keep in mind though that although this is a major desire in kitchen renovations, these do come in at around $60 – $80 per square foot.
2 High-End Cabinets
To go with high-end countertops, you’ll want high-end cabinets to go with them. More common now is either a bright white shaker style of cabinetry or a high-end wood-based stain like oak, maple, or mahogany. If you do decide to paint your cabinets white or some other offset color like grey, you most likely will be able to reface existing cabinetry and save a lot of money.
3 Stainless Steel Appliances
Another feature that is commonplace in high-end kitchens today is stainless steel appliances. These appliances are nice to have because stainless steel is really easy to clean, and are more durable to wear and tear in the daily life of the kitchen. The grey color of stainless steel also makes it easy to match with any color style in the kitchen. Although stainless steel has very few disadvantages, it does come with a premium cost over non-stainless steel appliances.
4 Kitchen Island
Depending on space considerations in your New York City kitchen renovation, adding a kitchen island is a game changer to a kitchen that previously did not have one. Islands are great in terms of providing a significant expansion of counter space. Depending on budget, your kitchen island can be configured to have appliances such as stove tops or even a sink. These are highly customizable solutions that can return great value for a kitchen if space allows it.
5 Breakfast Bar
If your NYC apartment has a formal dining area then you might want to consider a breakfast bar if space allows in your apartment remodel. A breakfast bar can either be an extension of a peninsula cabinet or a kitchen island. A breakfast bar provides an informal dining space to complement a formal dining space. Keep in mind that a proper breakfast bar has a higher table setting which requires bar chairs as opposed to standard chair height.
6 Executive Stove
If you want your kitchen to make an overall great statement, consider upgrading your stove to an executive stove, if you use gas. These stoves are generally much wider than a standard stove ranging from 36 inches to 60 inches wide. If you find yourself entertaining quite often in your space, and putting out big meals for your guests, the extra burner space along with the sophistication of a commercial-grade product will pay off. Be prepared, as these stoves run several thousand dollars.
7 Open Concept
For those who feel their kitchen is closed off and not well integrated with the rest of their apartment, they may want to create an open concept as part of a larger scale apartment renovation. Depending on space considerations and structural limitations, being able to knock down a wall to open up your kitchen to the rest of the apartment can enhance the overall feel of your entire living space. With projects like these, it is best to work with a design build firm, who can help you visualize the feel of the finished product for your apartment remodel, and provide adequate design support services for the contractor that you bring on.
8 Wine Fridge
If you are a lover of wine but don’t have a great space to store it in your apartment, then consider investing in a wine fridge that can be built into your cabinet areas. Wine Fridges are generally narrow, around 18 inches, and can again be a small but elegant feature for your new kitchen.
9 Sink Amenities
Instead of just a basic looking sink with faucet, just a small investment in this area can completely overhaul this nook of the kitchen and really bring out the entire room. Instead of nickel, go after oil rubbed bronze fixtures, and don’t be afraid to spend extra on larger sink necks and three-piece faucets. Also, consider installing a garbage disposal if you don’t already have one as an easier means of collecting food waste in your drain. Finally consider an instant hot water dispenser that connects right to your sink pipes, that stores one to two gallons at a time of instant hot water close to boiling to speed up food prep or instant tea.
10 Lighting Improvement
To get that showcase kitchen you’ve always dreamed of, the secret in any photograph is high-quality lighting. Instead of a simple fixture centered in the kitchen, consider an upgrade to recessed lighting to spread out coverage of light throughout the room. You can work with a design build so they can help you determine the best light coverage in terms of locations and the amount of lighting needed. You could even consider investing in smart lights, that can do things like dim and change colors through your tablet and smartphone.
