The kitchen is consistently the most common renovation project that homeowners take on and for good reason. More than likely, the kitchen is where you spend the most time while at home apart from where you sleep.
The average kitchen renovation budget is roughly $12,000, which is why figuring out how to optimize your dollars for the best renovation possible is important.
Here are some benefits, tips, and design ideas when considering adding a skylight for your kitchen.
Benefits of Adding Skylights to your Kitchen
- Ventilation – A skylight in your kitchen can help boost its overall aesthetic while contributing to a healthier indoor-air environment. Skylights come with electric and solar venting options to increase airflow expelling any excess moisture and harmful air pollutants caused by cooking.
- Make your kitchen feel larger – When your walls are devoted to cabinet space, your kitchen can begin to feel crowded, dark and uninviting. Skylights bring in natural light to open up your kitchen, making cooking tasks easier without sacrificing your storage.
- Increase resale value – When selling a home, lighting is crucial. Skylights help add natural light to generally darker areas creating a more attractive and welcoming environment that is conducive for showing and selling your home.
- Evenly distribute light across your kitchen – When strategically installed, skylights can act as a natural flood light for your kitchen that creates an even distribution of light throughout. Pair your skylight with light paint colors for an even more balanced feel.
How Much Does it Cost to Install Skylights in Your Kitchen?
The cost of installing skylights in a kitchen can vary depending on the type of skylight you choose and the room’s architecture. There are many skylight models to choose from — including solar-powered, manual venting, and fixed skylights — with prices ranging from $550 all the way up to $3,500 per skylight.
The architecture of your kitchen will also factor into the final cost. For example, installing a skylight in a vaulted ceiling will be relatively easy because there is no attic space to build through and less drywall will be required. However, if you have a flat ceiling, more work will need to be done to build a drywall light shaft to the roof, leading to a higher cost of labor and materials.
Design Tips for Installing Skylights in Your Kitchen
Choose light paint colors to make a small kitchen feel more open
Taking advantage of the natural light your skylight is crucial for making the most out of your kitchen skylight. Darker paint colors in your kitchen do not reflect natural light as well as Bright white paint. Brighter colored paint also creates more of a balance cast of light.
Incorporate a low contrast color scheme
Similar to the paint color you choose, incorporating a low-contrast color scheme is key to making your small kitchen feel larger. A low-contrast color scheme creates a cohesive look, while a high-contrast palette can make a small kitchen feel confining.
Consider a tubular skylight
Tubular skylights are the quickest and most cost-effective way to add natural light to the small spaces of your home. They usually take about a half a day to install and can cost between $650 – $2,150 after installation.
Replace wooden cabinet doors with glass doors
Cabinetry in a small kitchen can feel clunky, even if painted white. Adding glass doors to your cabinets is a great alternative to wooden doors and creates the illusion of openness while adding depth. Additionally, glass cabinets are a great way to display tableware and glasses that can add a small pop of color.
