POP Style TV gathered some luxury remodeling tips from industry insiders that you need to know.
While many people grow up dreaming about their ideal wedding or fantasy job, they often redirect those ambitions toward creating their perfect kitchen once they become homeowners. If it’s your first time, it can feel overwhelming to choose the right general contractor, set a realistic budget, or sort through all the materials and home improvement products available. Knowledge is power here!
POP Style TV gathered some of the best advice from Minneapolis-based kitchen industry experts. Whether you love to cook, entertain, or simply be surrounded by excellent design and craftsmanship, remodeling or renovating your kitchen should be an exciting endeavor. Here’s some of the most important things to know when transforming the heart of your home.
Remodeling vs Renovating
Whether you’re remodeling or renovating your home comes down to whether you’re just replacing your fixtures or changing the structures or layout. For example, if you’re just changing the cabinetry and countertops, it’s a renovation. But the minute you start altering the design in a way that requires knocking down a wall or getting a plumber, it’s a remodel and will also most likely require permits pulled from the city
MCC Kitchen, Bath & Closet Remodeling specializes in concierge construction in order to simplify the process for Minneapolis homeowners.
The most expensive part of a kitchen remodel is replacing the cabinetry, but it’s also typically the most transformative and worthwhile element.
Luxury general contractor, and owner of MCC Kitchen, Bath & Closet Remodeling, Leena Heiman told Midwest Design that the best way to give your kitchen remodel the most luxurious bang for your buck is to work with a company that offers a design-build approach. This not only guarantees your vision, but it also screens out contractors who might lure you in with a low quote only to increase it later with what’s called a “change of order” in the agreement.
Semi-custom Cabinetry vs Custom
The design build format keeps the entire project under a single quote and holds one party accountable for all the moving parts, so you can sleep with peace of mind knowing you won’t go over budget or end up interviewing dozens of trades and product providers.
Leena also offered a unique saving tip for homeowners with flexible kitchen cabinetry layouts: “If 3-inch increments don’t restrict your design, semi-custom cabinetry could be a great option—allowing you to allocate more of your budget to other parts of the kitchen, such as appliances or flooring.”
In fact, sticking to 3-inch increments, as the Minneapolis-based remodeler suggests, could cut the cost of cabinetry in half compared to custom options. You can also combine semi-custom cabinetry with a custom island to get the best of both worlds.
Combining smaller rooms to make an open kitchen
Don’t underestimate the design power of knocking down a wall. The Star Tribune reported on homeowners combining rooms in their home for an open kitchen layout. They showcased how one couple removed a wall to create a better space for entertaining and added a more casual eating nook. A great way to achieve this is by combining the dining area with the kitchen, which can reduce the feeling of crowding and create a space better suited for hosting.
The cost to tear down a wall in Minneapolis varies widely. You can expect to pay $2,000–$6,000 for a non-load-bearing wall and $4,000–$12,000 or more for a load-bearing wall.
The Secret About Quartz Pricing
We hate to break it to you, but more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean “better” in the home improvement industry. One example of this is Quartz, one of the most popular countertop materials, which comes in an array of designs and colors. However, did you know all Quartz is made equal, even if it significantly varies in pricing?
Quartz countertop colors are categorized by grades, with one being the most affordable and five the most expensive. Pricing is organized around these grades, so you’re essentially paying for features like color or veining rather than the material itself—quartz is quartz! If you love a pattern in grade two just as much as grade three, you’re better off sticking with the latter from a financial perspective.
O’Hara Interiors designed this kitchen for a chef.
Why the Kitchen is the Best Home Improvement Investment:
Remodeling your kitchen is an investment in both your home and your happiness. However, it’s important to consider which matters more when designing the space, as there are limits to how much it will return on your investment. The National Association of REALTORS® released a report on the home upgrade projects that provided homeowners the highest level of satisfaction, and the kitchen was front and center.
- 78% of participants said they gained an increased sense of enjoyment being at home
- 77% of participants viewed their kitchen remodel as a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
- 40% of participants felt it gave them better functionality and livability
Does a Kitchen Remodel Increase Property Value?
Gabrielle Lindberg, senior designer at O’Hara Interiors, tells POP Style TV that the cost of materials and labor has increased significantly over the past four years, with labor being particularly more expensive in the lakes region and coastal areas. Still, the designer believes when done properly, a kitchen remodel will certainly make your home more attractive to buyers.
“When someone is selling say, a $6 million dollar home, the people choosing to purchase that home expect a luxury kitchen to match that price point,” she says. “They expect the upgrades to be there, and most people don’t like living through a remodel after they’ve just moved. If the remodel is done well and thoughtfully, that kitchen can be a major selling point for new buyers.”
The rule of thumb is spending between 5 and 15 percent of your home’s total value on your kitchen remodel. Most people opting for the quality and feeling of luxury are most likely planning their forever home, and creating a place you never want to leave is a different return on investment.
Don’t Skimp on Appliances
Upgrading appliances doesn’t necessarily increase a home’s value, but it helps prevent it from losing value. Imagine walking into an otherwise perfect kitchen, only to be distracted by a white refrigerator or an outdated stove. Some of the best appliance brands on the market include Bosch, Wolf, Miele, and Sub-Zero. Many general contractors have special partnerships with these brands and may be able to offer discounts when you purchase through them.
In January 2025, the National Association of Realtors’ pending home sales index fell to a record low of 70.6, indicating it’s taking longer than ever to both buy and sell a house. In other words, you don’t want to give potential buyers any reason for seeking other options.
Avoid Unnecessary Delays
Lastly, the best way to keep your kitchen remodel on schedule is to ensure your contractor includes a project delivery clause in the contract. Be wary of general contractors who take on more projects than they can handle, as this clause helps hold them accountable and ensures they meet your timeline.
FAQ:
1.) Do you need semi-custom or custom cabinetry?
Whether you need custom or semi-custom cabinetry depends on whether your kitchen design requires cabinets sized outside of 3-inch increments. According to Leena Heiman, owner of MCC Kitchen, Bath & Closet Remodeling, any cabinetry that requires sizing beyond 3-inch increments is considered custom.
2.) Are all quartz countertops made equal?
All quartz is made of the same material and is therefore equal in quality. The difference in value depends on its color and pattern, which are categorized into grades from one to five.
3.) Will remodeling your kitchen increase property value?
Remodeling your kitchen will increase property value, but only up to a certain point. Experts suggest spending no more than 5 and 15 percent of your home’s total value if this is your ultimate goal.