Are you planning to remodel your kitchen this spring or summer? The kitchen is such a central room in your home. It’s where you cook, eat, entertain and probably spend a majority of your time. That and the fact that kitchen upgrades have a large ROI when you sell, are the biggest reasons why kitchens are one the most popular rooms to remodel in your home. And if you are going to invest a significant amount of time and money, you want to make sure you aren’t missing anything. So, while you plan out cabinet space, backsplashes and appliances, don’t forget to consider the electrical and lighting.
Add under-cabinet lighting
Oftentimes, a lot of emphasis is placed on lighting the floor when the countertops are where you really need it. Under-cabinet lighting is the perfect solution and it is extremely versatile. It lights up your counter space while you are cooking or cleaning, it is an accent light for entertaining and it can be a great nightlight for evening. This is the number one lighting suggestion we make for kitchens and we get the best feedback on it!
Plan your outlets
When asked about outlet placement, many clients dismiss this as something they don’t need to think about. But fewer things will cause more frustration than not being able to plug in your crockpot or toaster when you need them! We can even hide outlets inside a cupboard or drawer or install a pop-up outlet in an island so they aren’t an eyesore.
Make it smart
Since the kitchen is usually where everyone gathers in the home, it is a good place to start adding smart home technology. If you are unsure what smart home options are right for your family, choose the kitchen as a starting point. It is in the room where it will get the most use and then you can decide to expand into other areas of the house later on.
Go with dimmable lights
Sometimes you are cooking and cleaning and other times you are entertaining or having a romantic date night. If there is any place in your home where you know you will need different lighting levels, it is the kitchen. Going with dimmable lights allows you the freedom to have them at 100% brightness or anywhere in the middle. You can change the atmosphere of your kitchen without adding more lights.
Check your panel
Oftentimes, a remodel means you are adding things i.e. more lights, outlets and appliances. If you will be adding more things that require electricity, make sure your panel can handle the extra load. If your current panel is maxed out, we can add a subpanel but it is a good idea to discuss this in advance so you do not have a surprise expense.
As always, we hope we’ve made your day brighter! If you have any questions or comments, please call 715-539-3220 or email info@inthelitellc.com