If you’re living in a small apartment or flat, it’s crucial to have a kitchen layout that maximizes storage space and efficiency, as well as incorporates practicality and design.

Depending on the facade and ambiance you want, there are ways to take on your small kitchen renovation project. You don’t need to spend a large amount on kitchen renovation. You can upgrade it by replacing some furniture, fixtures, and stainless steel appliances or do a considerable kitchen remodel that needs a restructure of the entire room. Here are some of the best small kitchen ideas to help create the kitchen of your dreams.

10 Small Kitchen Remodel Ideas You Can Apply To Your Home

Add An Efficient Kitchen Island

An island cut out to a small kitchen structure is a practical space-saving solution. It functions as a counter space, dining table or breakfast bar, and extra storage, enhancing the surfaces accessible in a small space. But note that a portable kitchen island exists if you want to avoid constructing a fixed island into the floor space. Move it in if necessary and wheel it to the side when you want the room.

A kitchen island’s correct size and dimension can make a small kitchen bigger.

Use Reflective Surfaces

Reflective surfaces, like marble countertops, ceramic tile, or stainless steel, bounce light back across the room, boosting the effects of natural and artificial light and adding a sense of depth. Plus, incorporating the right mirror into your kitchen instills a touch of elegance. And when applying high-gloss paint, including the ceilings, as well.

Go Brighter

The brighter your kitchen, the bigger it will appear. Provide enough light into the area. Choose window treatments that allow you to use natural light or install some light fixtures.

Lighting can transform your small living space and make it more stylish and structured. Pendant lights won’t overwhelm the area and can deliver the illusion of more room. It’s also essential to include task lighting (e.g., in the sink area) to increase the functionality of your kitchen, and avoid knife mishaps!

Classic Touch To Kitchen Finishes

Keep the kitchen room classy and timeless with monochromatic themes. A monochromatic colour scheme will align your kitchen design and visually expand the space.

A white kitchen just feels good; the clean and fresh look that white cabinets and countertops bring. You may also consider a light-toned kitchen with white, off-white, or soft gray cabinets. Add small doses of black, such as matte black cabinets, for that stylish punch. The big-contrast blend of black and white makes a stunning small kitchen colour palette, adding visual interest.

Repurpose Furniture For Storage

Usually, you will discover traces of cabinet space or irregular corners that are laid open and could be used as a kitchen space. Filler drawers are excellent ways to take advantage of spacings that are best for cooking utensils and condiments. Lower cabinets are also perfect for kitchen storage to take in counter appliances like a coffee machine, stand mixer, and toaster.

Maximize Space

In functional kitchens, countertop space is valuable. Fill unused and pointless areas with a freestanding butcher block and bar cart. Also, get creative with pull-outs, a hidden chopping board with a garbage ramp and receptacle beneath, enhancing kitchen work surface functionality. A popular space-saving trend is having frequently used appliances slide out in shallow drawers installed in cupboards. This saves valuable workspace and makes the kitchen feel less cluttered.

Add Open Shelves

When tailored, open shelving can serve as a lovely display in your kitchen. But if you have a small space, it offers additional storage and can make your tiny kitchen feel roomier. Not to mention the indulgence of always seeing all your kitchen items and collection, especially if it’s beautiful or has been passed down from generation to generation!

Choose Modern & Practical Appliances

You can save plenty of space by opting for multi-purpose kitchen appliances. Appliances that work as double-duty are popular nowadays, like a microwave-convection-browning appliance and an innovative kitchen sink with a built-in dishwasher. High-quality small appliances are also in-demand to maximize the efficiency of a small kitchen.

Paint Your Walls

Cover an entire wall in one vivid colour to create a calm environment. But if you don’t know which colour to choose – you feel you want neutral hues, or you’re just a tenant who wants to avoid risking your security deposit – just paint an accent wall.

Accent walls are the best way to generate a statement, regardless of your kitchen’s size, and they don’t need any electric tools.

Let Your Kitchen Expand

When renovating, you can specify your kitchen layout. Therefore, if you like to stretch your cabinets over your dining room, feel free. Use a low half-wall to partition your breakfast nook and your cooking area. Doing so allows you to maintain the feeling of the spaces connected and look like a typical extension of your kitchen. It even provides some breathing room to the design of your house.

Are You Ready For A Kitchen Renovation?

If you want to renovate your kitchen, proceeding with a DIY process seems reasonable in particular circumstances. But there are many cases where hiring a professional interior designer or contractor is the right option. A professional kitchen remodeler gives tips, suggestions, and ideas on optimizing your kitchen space.

When you are looking for a highly competent general contractor, contact Honest Renovations today. Call us at (289) 260-2462 and be ready to get started with your renovation process.

When a kitchen gets overused and shows signs of wear, it’s only a matter of time before you begin considering a renovation. Perhaps you’re making minor revamps to your existing kitchen or pursuing a complete renovation project, either way, a kitchen renovation is a fantastic way to start to rework the mood of your home. In doing so, you might question how much it costs to remodel your kitchen. As with any home renovation project, there’s a significant variation regarding kitchen remodel costs.

Average Cost Of Kitchen Remodel

A kitchen’s size and the extent of the renovation are the main factors for a professionally overhauled kitchen. If you’re aiming to change the layout of the kitchen, then expect to spend more and for the project to demand more time.

A kitchen renovation costs about $20,000 – $80,000 or $100 – $300 per square foot for your average kitchen size of approximately 250 to 300 square feet. An average kitchen renovation covers new cabinetry, sink, countertop, and flooring.

Factors Affecting Kitchen Renovation Costs

When you want to renovate your kitchen, make plans for the following factors that might raise or lower the total cost of your entire project:

• Labour costs (kitchen designer, architect, plumber, electrician, and carpenter are some service professionals you can expect to help you throughout the whole kitchen project)
• Scope of the job
• Kitchen makeover design
• Materials cost
• Size of the kitchen

Budgeting On Your Kitchen Renovation

You’ll need to set a budget when you want to remodel your kitchen. Although that eventually revolves around your typical economic status and what you’re seeking, it’s also a clever approach to think of whether your investment will deliver a satisfactory return if and when you choose to put your home up for sale someday.

You can expect to pay around the following amounts based on the extent of your renovation:

• Minor Remodel – Refacing cabinets, painting ceilings and walls, replacing plumbing fixtures, and laying a new tile backsplash are some basic projects costing between $13,000 and $20,000. 
• Mid-range Remodel – A mid-range remodel costs about $31,000. This scope of remodeling typically upgrades what is existing and doesn’t need layout modifications. 
• Major Remodel – A kitchen renovation with a higher than $45,000 cost may involve installing hardwood floors and high-end appliances, relocating windows and doors and upgrading the sink.

You should also set aside 15% – 20% of your total budget for any unforeseen problems.

The final cost of your renovation will be smaller when you only revamp a particular kitchen layout design. For example, relocating a sink or a window to another spot in the kitchen can add $1,500 – $4,500 per object transfer to the project because of the demand for drywall, dust removal, and new plumbing and electrical work.

Estimated Cost Breakdown

Cost Breakdown

Kitchen Cabinets

Many homeowners want new cabinets, and the average cabinetry cost is about $6,500. Prices differ depending on the design and materials. Refacing ranges from $4,200 to $9,000. Modern semi-custom cabinets could range from $200 – 600 per linear foot. And, for elegant custom cabinetry that suits your taste, prepare to spend between $360 – $1,200 per linear foot.

Countertop And Backsplash

The cost to remodel a kitchen countertop depends primarily on your chosen type of material. If you want to save money, laminate is the least overpriced for as low as $14 per sq. ft. Natural stone and quartz countertops show a classy finish at a mid-range price starting at $50 per sq. ft. Marble countertops are expensive, costing $150 or more per sq. ft.

A new backsplash takes time and research and should be fire-resistant and easy to clean and sanitize. The average kitchen upgrade costs of having a backsplash installed are between $900 and $2,500.

Kitchen Flooring

It is crucial to consider many different materials for flooring because the cost of raw materials varies widely.

Linoleum and vinyl are the most affordable options, which cost about $1,000-$1,500. But if you want hardwood or tile floors installed in your new kitchen, be ready to spend around $4,500 – $7,500.

Kitchen Lighting

Upgrading your kitchen lighting is a straightforward but practical way to perfect any kitchen renovation. An easy DIY replacement of that old kitchen sink light to a farmhouse pendant light may only cost you approximately $50. The national average for installing elegant, stylish recessed lighting is $150 per fixture.

What Is The Most Expensive Element Of A Kitchen Reno?

The most expensive parts of a kitchen renovation project are often the cabinets, countertops, and appliances, comprising nearly 50 percent of the total project cost.

Most of the time, installation costs, flooring, and painting & drywall are the other primary cost elements of the project.

Top-Requested Features

• Kitchen island or breakfast bar seating area
• Coffee bar
• Specialized storage, walk-in pantry, butler pantry, etc.
• Lazy Susans and blind corner cabinets
• Built-in refrigerator or a commercial-style range
• Dual ovens
• Drawer dishwashers
• Enclosed trash and recycling space
• Recessed ceiling fixtures and pendant lights

Honest Renovations Is your Reliable General Contractor

With proper planning, kitchen renovations can be achieved within your means. It’s also vital to hire a contractor you can trust. Honest Renovations has the experience and proficiency in creating the kitchen of your dreams.

Call us now at 289-260-2462 and get started on your kitchen renovation!

If you’ve got a small bathroom, you may be struggling with cramped space. It may seem like it is too small to be really usable, and you may wonder what you can do to make it more functional and feel less closed in.

Quick Tips to Improve a Tiny Bathroom

Here are some small bathroom ideas you can do quickly and easily to open up small bathrooms.

An obvious first step is to organize and reduce the clutter that can make the small space feel overwhelming. You won’t feel so much like you are in very tight quarters if the amount of stuff is minimalized.

Repainting with light, neutral colours quickly makes your small bathroom feel like a larger space. You don’t need to forgo personality; you can have a couple of items in interesting materials, with bold colours or patterns to make the entire bathroom incredibly chic and provide visual interest. However, dark walls make small spaces feel heavy and closed in. White subway tile is perfect for backsplashes and other areas to keep the area light.

You can still have a gallery wall for interest, but try putting up several unique mirrors. This lets you decorate the entire wall space, without feeling cluttered, and gives the illusion of a larger room.

Small Bathroom Remodel

You may find that if your small bathroom isn’t set up efficiently, a full small bathroom remodel can help you get a room you love. It’s a good idea to plan well before getting started. Drawing up a few design plans with accurate measurements of all elements is critical. It is usually good to consult with someone who is an expert in interior design.

Effective Small Bathroom Design

Don’t be afraid to move the entire room around, including fixtures.

A corner sink tucks away neatly to make the most of your small bathroom space, and a wall-mounted faucet allows more free surface area. Take time to find the right tub; look for a non-standard, smaller freestanding tub to conserve space.

Customized work allows you to get the best fit. Smaller cabinets and vanities can balance the need for room and storage perfectly if they are designed to maximize organization. You can also add built-in storage, for a small item like a medicine cabinet, in between wall studs.

You may also want to remove any swinging doors, replacing them with rolling pocket doors or sliding barn doors; full-length mirrors on these brighten up a small room even more.

Increase Floor space

A floating vanity creates more air space than a traditional one sitting on the floor, and usually doesn’t decrease usable storage. Many people don’t use the bottom shelves or drawers of a vanity much, and some typical vanities are just cupboards with one layer to use, resulting in lots of wasted space. A floating model, with multiple-sized drawers and a good design, can give you extra storage space, with increased space and a lighter, airier feeling. Toilet paper and hygiene items can be kept attractively in large baskets and tucked away.

Light-coloured floor tile gives a sensation of space, compared to a dark wood floor.

Increase Natural Light

A few floating shelves achieve the same results as floating vanities. If you opt for a glass shelf model, it especially keeps the open feeling of the room and doesn’t create dark spots. A floating shelf holds your extra toiletries without cluttering.

Replace a shower with solid plastic or metal sides and a shower curtain or opaque shower doors. With a shower stall with a glass shower door and clear sides, you won’t feel like you are in a cave when you shower.

If you have little to no natural light, installing a skylight may be a good option. Otherwise, capitalizing on light fixtures is key; choose ones that will really brighten all corners of the room.

Powder Room / Half-Bathroom

A half-bathroom is often considered as an unimportant one, but you use them daily, and want to make a good impression when guests are visiting. A cramped powder room feels depressing – not how you want to feel when starting your day! So how do you primp up your small powder room to make the room feel spacious?

A minimalist bathroom is your go-to design for as much extra space as possible. Keeping to essentials only, with a couple of key decorative accents, will make the most of the room.

Try a pedestal sink, as these don’t cut into a room. Clear out all extra items, and just have key, attractive toiletries out. Instead of a towel bar, look for small hooks or racks that rotate out to conserve space.

Don’t be afraid to use the toilet tank for more surface space for items.

Need Help With a Remodel?

Honest Renovations understands that the humble bathroom is actually one of the most important in your home.

Whether you need small upgrades or a complete small-bathroom remodel, we are experienced in all parts of the job and make the renovations hassle-free. We are industry experts and will assist you through the whole process, from design to renovation and finishing touches.

We can advise on the best small bathroom ideas for your individual situation, working with you to bring your visions to life. 

Most unfinished basements have a concrete slab as a floor. While it is solid, flat and durable, the concrete surface can be unhospitable. It is not aesthetically pleasing, nor is it warm and welcoming. In fact, your family may dread going down to the basement because of the chill of the concrete basement floor.

A finished basement floor will make any basement space warm and inviting; your family will be excited to use the downstairs bedroom once you have installed a finished surface.
There are many basement flooring materials to choose from when it comes to finishing your basement. We will discuss different flooring for basements to help you decide what is best for your home.

7 Basement Flooring Options

There are a wide variety of basement flooring options available. Each type of flooring presents its own pros and cons. We will discuss each type of basement flooring below to help you decide which is best for your basement.

1. Laminate Flooring

Laminate is a durable, affordable flooring material. It is much cheaper than ceramic tile and solid hardwood, but it can be designed to look and feel like either. Additionally, laminate floors are easy to install because the planks have interlocking joints. Almost any do-it-yourselfer can learn how to install laminate floors in their basement.

Laminate promises durability; it is a resilient flooring that is less likely to scratch than other types of flooring. However, it is prone to water damage. Laminate flooring can mould, warp, and twist in wet or moist conditions.

2. Hardwood Flooring

While hardwood is a classic choice for your floors, it is not recommended for basements. Hardwood is easily prone to water damage, and it can even warp and twist in moist environments. Basements tend to be wet and moist areas, so your hardwood floors will likely not hold up.

Never fear, there are many other flooring options for your basement renovation!

3. Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is making a comeback as an affordable, durable type of flooring for basements. Except, people are ditching sheet vinyl and using vinyl planks instead.

A luxury vinyl plank is more expensive than sheet vinyl, but it will make all the difference when it comes to making a stunning space; it is a beautiful option that looks like real wood. Vinyl plank flooring also is installed like wood thanks to its interlocking joint system.

Vinyl planks are connected using an interlocking joint system; each vinyl plank slides and locks into place next to an already placed plank, making installation relatively easy. Just like real wood, vinyl should be installed over cork flooring for added cushioning.

Vinyl flooring is water-resistant, meaning you do not have to worry about your floors being ruined if you are unfortunate enough to have your basement flood.

4. Epoxy Flooring

Epoxy is a 2-part coating that can be applied over your concrete floor—it is not a floating floor option.

Expoxy helps make your floors smoother, thicker, and easier to clean. It is ideal for people who have a wet basement or want to use the main living space as a home gym. We recommend another type of flooring for a basement bedroom.

5. Tile Flooring

Tiles come in all different shapes, styles, and sizes. You could opt for the traditional square tile or choose a modern hexagon option. Rather than using one colour tile for your entire floor, you could create a pattern with several colours mixed in. The options are truly endless when it comes to tile!

While a tile floor is a beautiful addition to your home, it can be expensive. Ceramic tile can be costly, ranging anywhere from $0.50 to $25 per square foot. If you are concerned about the cost of your basement floors, ceramic tile may not be the best option. Choose vinyl tile or interlocking rubber tiles for a more affordable option. Vinyl tile costs approximately $1 to $5 per square foot.

6. Carpet

Basements can be cold places. Heat rises, and having a tile or wood floor can make your downstairs family room feel colder. Wall-to-wall carpeting is a good idea if you would like to make your basement feel warm and welcoming.

A basement carpet will feel softer and warmer underfoot than vinyl or porcelain tile. It will also muffle sound, making the space quieter; this is perfect for homeowners looking to have a guest bedroom in their basement. Guests will have a warm, quiet and cozy space to call their own.

7. Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered wood is a type of floor that has been specially engineered by bonding a layer of solid wood to plywood or compost board. Every plank has a factory-applied finish to prevent scratches and give your floor a clean, glossy appearance.

Although some manufacturers say that an engineered hardwood floor can be installed directly over concrete, our experts do not recommend it. It should be installed over a radiant heating sub floor for added warmth and a moisture barrier.

Engineered wood flooring is, without a doubt, one of the best basement flooring options out there.

Fix Your Concrete Floor

Do you have cracked, uneven, or stained concrete floors? These issues will need to be fixed before adding floating floors. Concrete flooring needs to be smoothed and levelled. Cracks in the concrete will also need to be repaired. This work is essential to creating a solid base for your new floor.

Get A Stunning Finished Basement

A basement floor is only one part of your basement renovation. Make your basement a warm, inviting space with the help of our skilled contractors at Honest Renovations. We can help you decide on a basement flooring option and install it to ensure you have a finished basement you will love!