What I Wish I Had Known Before I Renovated My Kitchen
A kitchen renovation is one of the biggest projects on many homeowners' lists. Not only are there many things that need to be decided, but renovating a kitchen in a big investment. Most people only renovate their kitchens once every couple of decades, so you want to make sure that you have all of the features that will make you comfortable and happy for years. Here are a few renovations that you should be thinking about and a few mistakes you should avoid.
Don't Skimp on Storage and Counterspace
If your kitchen is small, you might be thinking that there isn't any room for a lazy susan or that extra foot of counter space. But if you have a small kitchen, it's all the more important to make the amount of space that you have work to your favor. And if you have floor space, you need to use it in a way that will benefit your work habits and needs. If you're looking for ways to maximize space, use drawers instead of doors. You'll get maximum space with a streamlined look. You can also use unexpected places, such as these toe-kick drawers.
Have a Walk-In Pantry
One of the most useful spaces that you can add to your house is a walk-in pantry. If you have a family, it's useful and saves you money if you buy in bulk. A pantry is the ideal place to store extra food and supplies. If you're looking for ways to fit a pantry into your kitchen, depending on the layout of the area, you might be able to steal a little bit of space from another room. For instance, many laundry rooms are located right next to the kitchen. If this is your layout, ask yourself if you would be happier with a pantry and a slightly smaller laundry room. Another option is to take a few feet from the mudroom, which is often located near the kitchen. One of the great things about having a pantry is that you can be more mindful of the purchases that you make. You can also have the staples on hand, so you'll be less likely to binge shop. If you're on a diet and trying to figure out how to stop sugar addiction, having a walk-in pantry can help you organize healthy foods vs. junk foods much more effectively.
Don't Forget to Tie Everything Together From the Beginning
When you're in the early stages of planning, you might be wondering how everything will look once you have everything placed together. This takes a creative mind that can visualize. If you're doing this, good job. Sometimes the process is so involved that you can lose sight of the bigger picture. If you want an overall kitchen design that is cohesive, functional, and aesthetically pleasing, you need to be looking at the big picture from the get-go.
Stick to Your Budget
One of the slippery slopes of major home renovations is sticking to a budget. It's sometimes difficult to plan exactly how much everything will cost. For instance, if the contractor is tearing into walls, he might find some plumbing that should be replaced. You might not have planned on this, so you should put it in your budget a plan for some unexpected expenses. But there are other things that you can plan for. Take, for example, the amount that you set aside for your sink. If you price it out, you'll be able to know what you can get for your money.
Major home renovations can be tricky, and kitchens are one of the biggest jobs that there are. Take the time to think about your top priorities and incorporate your budget and the major necessities into your kitchen remodel. Many times, people overlook the details or get pulled so far into the details that they lose sight of the bigger picture, so make sure that you're looking at the room as a whole so that you'll be happy with the final room for years.
