Kitchen remodeling is one of the most challenging tasks in home renovation. A long-lasting kitchen remodel means choosing the best appliances and furniture so you won’t have to replace them in a year or two. The use of suitable materials is also an essential factor.
Remember, a well-planned kitchen remodel lasts decades, adding value to your home. Kitchens are in constant use, which is why durable and quality materials are a must to prevent wear and tear. Choosing the right materials, like solid cabinet woods and easy-to-clean countertops and floors, makes a significant difference between a great and mediocre kitchen.
Let’s now see what it takes to have your dream kitchen.
Durable Surface Materials
Quartz, granite, solid wood—there are so many options to choose from. If you use the kitchen often, you know how difficult it can be to maintain the surfaces properly. Choosing a quality and durable material eases both cooking and cleaning, ensuring a long-lasting kitchen remodel. How do you make the right choice?
Countertop Materials
Countertops are an important part of every kitchen. You use them daily to prepare food and drinks, so choose one of the following quality materials:
- Quartz: Well-known engineered stone made of crushed quartz mixed with various resins to create a durable and scratch-resistant surface. It’s available in many colors and patterns, varying from white to gray and black.
- Granite: A natural and very durable stone, and heat resistance is a plus. Available in various colors and patterns, but if not sealed properly, granite gets porous and may stain from foods.
- Marble: A beautiful-looking material but pretty porous. It must be sealed with durable resin to maintain its beauty and functionality.
When choosing kitchen countertops for daily use, prioritize durability, scratch resistance, and easy maintenance.
Kitchen Cabinets Materials
We tend to store heavy items in the kitchen cabinets. That means that a long-lasting kitchen remodel also requires an investment in these elements. Here are some of the most popular materials:
- Solid Wood: The most popular and most durable option. It may last for decades with proper care. Choose the wood type that fits your kitchen design and lifestyle preferences.
- Textured Melamine: A synthetic material that mimics the wood looks. It’s resistant to scratches and stains but may not deliver the expected quality of the solid wood.
- Plywood: It consists of thin wood panels glued together in layers. They’re often covered in laminate or acrylic to ensure durability at an affordable price.
Balance quality, durability, and price to ensure long-lasting and functional kitchen cabinets.
Flooring Materials
Kitchen floors must be durable and easy to maintain. They easily get dirty from spills and water, so easy-to-clean materials are a must.
- Tile: Tiles are a popular choice and are perfect for kitchen floors. They come in various materials, such as ceramic, porcelain, and stone. Choose the one that best suits your kitchen style.
- Laminate: Pretty affordable but also easy to maintain. It may look like wood or stone, and you can match the color to the rest of the kitchen. Sadly, it’s not as durable as tiles.
- Vinyl: An affordable option, DIY-friendly, and easy to sweep or mop. It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing solution, but it is undoubtedly practical for the kitchen.
Invest in High-Quality Appliances
Appliances are the second most important part of the long-lasting kitchen remodel. Choose reliable brands that guarantee quality. Start with the most important things, like a stove, fridge, dishwasher, and freezer. You’ll use them most of the time, so spending more on the major home appliances is recommended.
Once you have the major ones, look for the best small appliances, like induction stovetops, kettles, toasters, food processors, and coffee machines. Small appliances are more affordable and easy to replace. Major ones are expensive and often built in the kitchen cabinets, so replacing them means partial remodeling.
Prioritize Functionality in Kitchen Design
A functional kitchen layout is the essence of any successful remodeling. Try arranging the countertops, cabinets, and appliances in a logical order to ensure comfort and efficiency. It may be a small step but it’s an important one during a long-lasting kitchen remodel. It helps to avoid constantly moving and rearranging kitchen elements.
Try to establish a proper and logical layout of all the kitchen elements. The stove should always be positioned close to the working surfaces, but never close to the fridge and food storage. The heat that the stove emits may be the reason the fridge doesn’t work well. It’s an unwritten rule that appliances emitting heat should never be placed near cooling appliances.
For obvious reasons, the dishwasher always goes next to the sink. Also, pay attention to placing the trash can near the sink so you can easily throw away food leftovers and packages.
Why does the kitchen layout result in successful remodeling? A logical order of surfaces and appliances ensures high functionality, making daily tasks smooth and enjoyable. So before you start remodeling your kitchen, make a list of all the appliances you want and where you will put them.
Easy Maintenance
The kitchen’s lifespan extends if we keep it clean and maintain it. Make it a daily task to clean the countertops and surfaces, to prevent stains and buildup that corrode the materials. This also goes for appliances you use often.
Here’s how to properly do it:
- Empty the Trash Can: Deal with the organic garbage immediately to prevent odors, spills, and surface damage.
- Clean the Spills: If you spill wine, tomato sauce, or any other liquid, immediately clean it to avoid staining or damaging the countertop.
- Sweep and Mop the Floor: Remove debris with a broom or vacuum cleaner, and finish with a mop and proper cleaning solution.
- Keep the Sink Tidy: Scale can easily damage the sink and faucet, so use an appropriate scale remover to prevent more damage.
- Take Care of the Appliances: Working appliances guarantee a long-lasting and functional kitchen. Maintain them properly to prevent frequent replacements.
A long-lasting kitchen remodel doesn’t depend only on quality materials and proper flooring. Clean it daily as described, but also perform in-depth maintenance like freezer defrosting, deep cleaning the cabinets, and throwing away the long-forgotten and expired products.
How SemBro Design & Supply Can Help?
SemBro Design & Supply is a company from Cleveland with an impressive history. We’ve remodeled over 500 kitchens with quality cabinets, countertops, and flooring solutions. With extended experience in interior design and kitchen remodeling, we check all the marks in delivering quality that lasts.
Why settle for less than a perfect kitchen? Partner with us and get the most functional dream kitchen ever!
