Planning out a new kitchen can be one of the most exciting things a homeowner does. It is also a big investment that can add value to your home. Don’t feel bad; however, if it makes your anxiety go up, just thinking about it. There are so many choices and options to consider, from the size of appliances, countertops, flooring, and so much more.
The kitchen is basically the heart of the home. Think about just how much time we spend in the kitchen as a culture. Our biggest get-togethers and holidays revolve around making big family meals. As a result, the whole house smells cinnamon and spice during the winter holidays, giving it a warm and inviting feeling. The first step can be anxiety spiking, and that’s why we’ve compiled these top ten tips for making your renovation the fun and satisfying project it should be.
1. Plan Ahead
The kitchen is the most used room in the modern home. We depend on it for our morning coffee and finish our days by cooking dinner for ourselves and our families. So that’s why one of the first steps to starting that kitchen remodel you’ve been looking forward tofor so long is to plan around not having a kitchen at all for a while.
Most renovations require a lot of demolition at first, and you’re likely to be without access to your kitchen for anywhere up to six weeks. So you need to make sure you make room for the coffee maker elsewhere and plan your meals accordingly so that you aren’t stuck with takeout every day until it’s finished. People sometimes set up temporary kitchens in open spaces like the garage while getting underway on their new space.
2. Environmentally Friendly but Disposable
Dishes aren’t fun to try to wash in a bathroom sink, so this is one of those times where it’s acceptable to use paper plates and disposable utensils. However, don’t forget about the environment entirely. Try to make sure you pick green-friendly options; there are lots of them out there.
3. Know your Budget
We’ll talk about where to spend some of that hard-earned money later on, but for now, make sure that you have a solid idea of your budget while you’re in the planning phase. There are so many parts of a remodel to consider, and if you’re making significant changes, you may need to account for plumbing changes or rewiring on top of the cost of new counters and appliances. These are all things you want to know before you get started. So be honest with yourself about what you can spend, and then you can figure out just how you want to spend it.
4. Do Your Research
You’re going to need a contractor, and that means doing some research. Check out their work. Many contractors will put up examples on their websites, and some have direct feedback from their previous clients. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions. A trusted contractor will have a staff that can happily and easily answer anything concerning you. Their website will also give you a lot of insight into what kind of a company they are. Do they offer complete services? Do they have plumbers and electricians on staff, or do they work with other companies to provide those services? There will be many questions you come up with as you go along, be honest with your contractor and ask the questions.
5. Functional Floor Design
It’s easy to want to follow whatever the most current trend is, from open and airy kitchens that give giant space between things or fewer cupboards to make sure you get the flow right. However, these are trends, and as a rule, they don’t tend to last. So instead, while you plan your kitchen makeover, the functionality should be at the forefront of your mind. That’s not to say the way it looks doesn’t matter, but these two things are not mutually exclusive.
Generally, you want to think about the most used places and make them accessible and work together. For example, don’t stick the fridge as far away from the stove as possible, and you want to easily go from the stove to the sink. These are the key points that always go together in your kitchen. Think about how you will move from one to the other. If it makes it easier, put stickers where you think they might work and then pretend to cook something, it will give you an idea of how easy it will be or if something is getting in the way.
6. Storage is Critical
Storage space is something that we can never have enough of. So when you’re planning your kitchen renovation, this is something you want to consider. Are there more innovative ways to use the space you have? Are you getting the most out of the pantry, or is that something that could be done differently? No one likes a cluttered-looking home so make sure you have the room to tuck all those nifty kitchen gadgets and appliances away out of sight.
7. Spendy Faucets Last Longer
The faucet is the most used and overworked part of your kitchen. Don’t skimp here; the quality is essential. It needs to be a workhorse, but it also needs to be able to work for you. Do you constantly use a sprayer? Do you fill big pots or use the kitchen sink to fill basins for other things? If you try to take a cheaper route here, you could end up with some severe damage down the road as more affordable models tend to develop leaks and don’t hold up to the constant use for long. So this is one of those areas to spend, not save.
8. Splurge on the Focal Point
The backsplash is another prime example of a spot to splurge. Backsplashes come in all different styles, from mosaic glass to wide woodgrain tiles. The backsplashwill pull your whole kitchen theme together, so you want to make sure you spend the extra and get what you want not only in terms of quality but, in this case, in style. The backsplash is kind of like the centerpiece of a beautiful table. It’s going to be what people notice.
9. Hardware That Holds Up
Hardware is another spot to go ahead and spend the extra. Think about how often a cabinet door gets opened and closed; also, like the backsplash, the exterior hardware like drawer pulls and cabinet handles will help bring your overall look together and make it work. These are accents that help tie the whole room up in a neat little bow.
10. Appliances
Appliances are another big-ticket item for your renovation, but it’s one that you can both spend on and save. For example, one of the new trends that is likely to stick around is matching appliances. It was popular in the 60s and 70s when everyone had the harvest gold fridge and stove, but this is so much better. Now manufacturers are making fantastic, high-end, sleek matching sets that meet all the modern needs with a neutral appearance.
