Giving your kitchen a whole new look can be a refreshing experience but at the same time, it can also be quite a big undertaking. Almost all of us have gone through phases where we are tempted to pick up a sledgehammer and knock everything down to rebuild it from scratch. But once you’re in it, you’ll know that it is not as easy as it seems.
A kitchen is the most significant place in any house at it uses some really expensive appliances and most of the times, a lot of fancy fittings and furniture. Renovating your kitchen can improve the value of your property by around 6% and can give you a great deal of mental satisfaction by the side. Considering how important kitchen remodeling can be for your real estate, it is essential that you have all the information you can collect to make sure that you make all the right decisions.
Here are a few important things you must know before you remodel your kitchen.
1. Have a clear design in mind.
Kitchen remodeling can easily set you back a few thousand bucks. So, it is only fair that you pre-plan everything to perfection. You must be very clear on the look you want to achieve, including the color scheme, the design elements, and the type of appliances you want installed. Make sure that the design you want is realistic and achievable so that you actually get what you pay for.
2. Optimize the use of space.
Another important factor that you will need to consider is how you will make use of the kitchen space to its best. This includes maximizing storage capacity without having to compromise on any fittings or other functionality. You need to list down or draw how the storage shelves will be installed, the floorings and fixtures, kitchen cabinets, and other plumbing work such that no space goes to waste and the design stays aesthetically appealing at the same time.
Practically, you can note down the exact dimensions of everything you’re getting installed and design your kitchen around that. For a seamless finish, you can also use integrated appliances that compliment your kitchen design.
3. Set a realistic budget.
Before you put the plan into action, you also need to see if the investment you are making into remodeling your kitchen is even worth it in terms of its usability, and how well it does for the value of the real estate. There isn’t really any point in investing $20,000 for a premium kitchen when the property itself is valued somewhere near $200,000.
Another important thing is to figure out the financing of the whole project so that you don’t have to stop it midway due to lack of funds. Try to balance out your affordability with the return you’re getting on your investment for an optimal budget.
4. Plan your new appliances carefully.
Most people leave appliances to the last minute when remodelling their kitchens as they are only to be bought and fitted. This often leads to mismanagement of funds, lower-quality products, and often the appliances not fitting the spaces allocated. Therefore, you need to plan out this part of your kitchen in the earlier phases as well. There are a lot of things you need to consider when selecting appliances but for the sake of simplicity, you can check for these major points,
- Quality of the Appliance
- Price or Value for Money
- Dimensions and Size
- Functionality and Usability
- Ease of Use
- Energy Efficiency
You can spend as much as you want on the kitchen appliances but for most kitchens, the spending on appliances is almost 20% of the budget for the complete remodelling. Also, make sure that the appliances you’re getting are very commonly used by people around you. These appliances require regular maintenance and repair checks and at that time, you would not want to call a mechanic only to find out that they have no idea of how that particular appliance works.
5. Map out the execution of the plan.
Once the plan is all mapped out, you need to decide how to go about the execution. This could again involve any financial decisions, timeframes, deadlines, or even the workers to be hired. You might need to make major changes in electrical, gas, or sanitary fittings for which you’ll need to hire a professional. Make sure you give proper attention to every single detail. There are a lot of small things you might find insignificant but may cause a lot of problem in the next steps if not planned properly. Once that is done, you’re all set to remodel your kitchen.
6. Expert advice never hurts.
Since you’ve made it to the last point, it is safe to assume that you have a lot of attention invested in this article. And since you’re out on the internet reading articles on kitchen remodeling, it is safe to assume that you’re not an expert yourself. Thus, the last advice we have is to get an expert opinion on your kitchen remodeling project.
Even if you want to carry out the whole thing by yourself, consulting a kitchen design expert is always recommended. They will not only be able to polish your already existing plan but also pick-up things you’ve missed or not planned properly. You also need to realize that no matter how passionate you are about the project, you will need to hire professionals to carry out small tasks that you can’t do yourself, so be prepared for that as well.
