Designer Know-How

A professional kitchen designer can be a homeowner’s best friend when it’s time to remodel the kitchen. Even on a budget. In fact, if you want to keep costs down, a designer can be the most important member of your remodel team. With all the fabulous product choices out there and the thousands of possible new looks, remodeling can seem overwhelming; especially if you’re trying to contain costs.  A professional designer can help you achieve the best looking kitchen for your money and even find additional ways to save with tricks of the trade you might not have known yourself.

One of the most economical ways to work with a designer is to find one who is part of a comprehensive design-build team. These are companies that provide one-stop shopping with all the remodeling and building professionals you need for a project working together as an integral team under one roof. All their services are included in one bid from the start. One of the top rated design-build firms nationally is S.E.A. Construction in San Mateo.

 “The premise of design-build is that you have the architect, contractor and designer work together as a team under one roof, everything is very streamlined. Instead of going to a separate contractor, getting bids and then finding out something is over cost to install and having to go back to the designer, we all work together in-house and constantly track how design impacts costs,” explained Tonya Wilson, a professional kitchen and bath designer with S.E.A. Construction.

Today’s Home spoke to Wilson about how to get the most impressive look and high-functioning design for the best value. With Tonya’s trained eye observing kitchen design trends and the latest kitchen materials in the marketplace, Wilson wisely knows the best places to cut corners—and where not to —for a budget-savvy kitchen remodel. Here is her advice based on her insider’s know-how of kitchen design.

Where You Can Save:
Cabinet Boxes: These are the interiors of the kitchen cabinets, the part no one ever sees. “If the budget is really tight, this is one area to cut back on,” advises Wilson. “Go with particle board instead of a plywood interior. Particle board has come a long way; it is not as flimsy or crumbly as it used to be. It’s more durable and you can save.”

Cabinet Doors: Go for a gorgeous exotic wood cabinet door like zebra wood or mahogany that only looks expensive. “If we do a veneer as opposed to a solid wood door then you get the look of wood without the cost,” Wilson says.

Flooring: “A lot of people like the idea of a tile floor but it can cost twice as much as a wood floor,” comments Wilson. “I recommend engineered wood which is still a solid wood but over a substrate. Cherry and oak are very popular. I especially like oak because it has the widest versatility. With oak your kitchen can be modern, traditional or transitional.”

Appliances: Today many brands have upped their game to compete with top dollar professional-quality appliances and Wilson thinks they’re a great buy. She also recommends a counter-depth refrigerator instead of a built-in. “Most refrigerators are 28 or 30 inches deep but cabinets are only 24 inches deep. So the refrigerator usually sticks out like a sore thumb. Now there are counter depth refrigerators that are 24 inches deep. We put a cabinet on top of them and then we put panels on any exposed side of the refrigerator. It looks built in without the expense. This alone can save several thousand dollars.”

Roll-out Shelves: – Be strategic with these, Wilson suggests. “It is really only the bottom drawers that are the most inaccessible. So just put in a roll-out shelf there and a regular shelf on top. This way you get the best of both worlds and a lower cost.”

Where You Should Splurge:
Tile Backsplash: “A lot of people think that a tile backsplash is luxury, not a necessity. But it really is a major part of a kitchen’s wow factor. It makes a huge difference,” says Wilson. She creates her tile backsplash ideas on a computer so clients can see a range of colors, designs and materials before making a decision.

Countertops: “Most people assume that an engineered stone countertop will be less expensive than granite. That is not the case. Solid granite is still the best buy out there. And today there are a lot of new options and finishes. You can do a honed or leathered finish with a lot of texture to it. It will give you a higher visual impact,” Wilson explains. She adds, “If you plan to ever resell your home and you can list granite counter tops, you will see the return on it.”

Appliances: Although you may not need to buy the most expensive appliance brands on the planet, you should upgrade to stainless steel finishes, Wilson maintains. “Definitely go stainless. It is going to be more expensive than white or black but it is one of those features that lets people who walk in know your kitchen is updated and remodeled.”

Soft-Close Cabinet Door Hardware: This is a soft close mechanism that prevents cabinet doors from slamming and rattling the china. Wilson recommends it as an important detail in a remodel. “Your cabinets are going to last longer, and it is a feature that is highly valued and impressive when other people check out your kitchen.”

Overall, Wilson recommends stainless steel-finished appliances, a hardwood floor, granite countertops, soft-close cabinet doors and pendant light fixtures over the kitchen island. “I try to help the client prioritize where it is important to spend money and where it makes sense to save.”

In the grand scheme of things, the biggest savings may come from working with a design-build firm like S.E.A. Construction. Their outstanding reputation, track record and one-stop team of experts will save time and money on your kitchen remodeling project.

For more information, call S.E.A. Construction (650) 287-4202 or visit their showroom in San Mateo at 1941 O’Farrell Street, Suite 101. Visit the company’s Web site at www.seaconstruction.com.