3 Things HGTV Doesn’t Show With Kitchen Remodels

Unlike HGTV shows, a kitchen remodel takes a little more time and “elbow grease” than a 30 to 60 minute show allows. For scheduling purposes, remodeling and renovation TV shows fail to show the complete process and sometimes lead homeowners down an unforeseen path of unexpected decisions and details. Regardless, kitchen remodels yield a significant return on investment, with the national average for minor remodels around 81%.

Although HGTV has inspired countless kitchen remodels and makeovers, we realize you might want to know what to expect before you or your contractor swing the first sledgehammer. While not a complete list by any means, here are three things you rarely see discussed during an HGTV kitchen remodel.

2. Consider Your Options for Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets are the focal point of any kitchen remodel, and upgrading your cabinetry can breathe new life into your space. When picking new kitchen cabinets, consider your budget, materials, and design.

Over time, your cabinets will endure plenty of bangs, clanks, and “oops” from daily use. To make the most out of your kitchen remodel and provide ease-of-mind that it will last over time, invest in high quality materials such as all-plywood cabinets. Many entry-level cabinets are made from subpar materials that swell and warp due to moisture.

Unlike HGTV, where they primarily pick their kitchen based on the doors and the color, there is so much more to consider including all-plywood construction, solid-wood frames, matching cabinet interiors with glass doors, as well as interior drawer organization.

3. The Latest Rage is…

This season it may be white cabinets everywhere. Next season everything is blue or gray. The following season they’re white on top and blue on the bottom. The kitchen is one of the most heavily used places in a home, and because of this you should consider the long-term effects of your choices.

To find a style you will love for the next 10-15 years, look through various style books and select a timeless option that doesn’t follow trends that will fade in a few years-time. Otherwise you might end up with a brown, yellow, and orange flashback to the seventies.