Tips I Wish I’d Known Before My First Kitchen Renovation

A good quality kitchen is more than just a remarkable backsplash and beautiful cabinets. It’s a space which should be functional and easy to live in. Even though it’s a significant expense for every homeowner, remodeling your kitchen is also an important investment that will last for years to come. What is more, it may even increase the value of your home in the future. Many would say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, so it’s only normal to want it to look as good as it possibly can.

When it comes to kitchen remodeling, there are a few things you would want to bear in mind before you start your renovation journey, as well as a few common mistakes you would like to avoid. This is why we have compiled a list of tips that will help you keep away from getting burned on a kitchen renovation. These game-changing kitchen remodeling ideas will help make your time, money and effort well worth it.

Start With The Basics

All the way from finding the ideal combination of lighting to making sure that you have enough seating and storage, identifying the must-haves before you start working out the details is very important. Consider your budget and do an extensive research regarding a new kitchen cost. Researching what fits your budget will help you in the process of determining the right style and materials for your kitchen. Once you cover the budget and basics, there comes the fun part – integrating your personal touch into the kitchen area. Utilizing colors and materials, designing kitchen cabinets along with kitchen storage solutions, and selecting kitchen appliances – these are all part of the kitchen remodel process. As you plan, remember to keep functionality in mind while exploring various kitchen design ideas that combine both form and function.

Get Help From A Professional Designer

If you are new to kitchen remodeling, don’t think twice about getting help from a professional. Even if you are the DIY type of person, a kitchen designer will know tips and tricks you won’t and they will spare you from learning a lesson the hard way by making mistakes on your own. However, make sure you get enough information about the way they charge, whether they bill for the design and add a markup on everything you buy in addition or not, and if you can purchase items on your own to save money. Make a list of everything you want to know to the tiniest detail and provide them with precise guidelines about the way you want your kitchen area to look like.

Choose Your Sink And Appliances Before Anything Else

There are a few things to consider when picking appliances. They have a big influence on the overall layout, so while planning, measuring their width is not enough. Make sure you check the depth and leave room for maneuvering around the doors. For example, the side of the fridge typically needs to have up to three inches of free space to be able to completely open the interior drawers.

Don’t cut back on ventilation, either. People tend to forget the stove needs a vent, or they sometimes underestimate its power. Also, your sink is just as important as your appliances, so consider buying one earlier too. You don’t want to be moving your dishwasher just because the size of your new sink doesn’t fit. The good news is that some appliance stores will let you make a purchase earlier but save it for you until you are ready to install it in your kitchen since appliances go in last.

Remember To Pay Attention To The Workflow

When planning the remodeling, make sure you remember your kitchen’s busiest areas – the sink, stove and fridge. Many interior designers refer to these three features as the “kitchen work triangle”. Always bear in mind that these areas and appliances should be in a practical location that is relevant to the other.

A Stylish Backsplash Is Your Chance To Make A Statement

There is no better way to make a statement in your kitchen décor than by using the backsplash. This feature is one of the main focal points of your kitchen area, so this is your chance to add an extra pop of your personal style. Whether you prefer to play with color or opt for a minimalist, clean look, don’t be afraid to experiment. You can achieve a crisp, clean look by using quartz or you can go with something a bit more daring and adventurous, like a colorful glass tile.

Choosing The Right Flooring Is Essential

Interior designers can just confirm what we already know, and that is that the days of closed-off kitchens are behind us. In order to create a unified look and a feeling that the kitchen area is part of the rest of the home, you can use the same flooring as the surrounding areas. However, many would still go with the traditional alternative and opt for different flooring in the kitchen, such as tiles. Consider installing in-floor heating if you live in an area with a colder climate. With in-floor heating, ceramic or stone tiles won’t feel cold and uncomfortable. A tile flooring is an ideal opportunity to add texture to the room, which you can tie in with the rest of the design scheme.

More Drawers – Yes, Please

Drawers will help you keep your storage organized, so the more, the merrier. You can use pull-out drawers for almost anything, from pots and pans to plastic containers and plates. Older kitchens tend to have lower cabinets with shelves, but consider transforming them into drawers. You can even put the garbage in a pullout insert under the kitchen sink and store the tall pantry in drawers. The only thing that is advisable to be placed in the upper cabinets is the fragile glassware.

Protect The Surrounding Spaces

Think about saving on clean-up time even before you start remodeling, i.e. make sure to protect the rest of the rooms and surfaces from all the debris and paint dripping. You can even use plastic sheeting and spring-loaded poles to separate the renovating area.

Kitchen Remodeling Doesn’t Have to Cause A Headache

Planning on a kitchen remodel is as exciting as it can be nerve-wracking. To keep things less challenging, consider this collection of tips about how to avoid expensive mistakes, prevent headaches, and most importantly – get the kitchen of your dreams. A good quality remodeling is an investment that will last you for many years to come, so if your kitchen needs it, it’s time to embark on your renovation journey.