Things to Consider Before Renovating Your Kitchen
A kitchen is the heart of every home. It reflects the homeowner’s taste, and everyone wants it to look attractive and inviting at all times. A well-designed kitchen layout offers adequate space to store and accommodate all the items required to fulfill the cooking needs while providing a comfortable space to dine-in with family and friends.
The decision of kitchen renovation is both exciting and scary. Though a makeover increases the kitchen’s curb appeal, make it more functional, increase the property’s resale value, and enhance the quality of life, its planning and execution is not a small undertaking. Many may find it overwhelming and stressful, but the results can be worth all the efforts with simple forethought.
Renovating a kitchen involves a significant investment and necessitates a lot of time, effort, and energy. What you get out of the kitchen remodeling project will largely depend on how well and carefully deliberated the whole process was.
Let’s have a look at some of the aspects that need considerations before renovating your kitchen to ensure its success and get the most of your investment:
The prime objective behind the Renovation
Kitchen remodeling is not only about aesthetics. Start the process by thinking about what exactly you are planning to achieve from the renovation. Look into several probable motives, like increasing functionality, storage or counter space, need for more light, optimum utilization of space, or integrate it with other areas. List the limitations of the existing layout and ways to fix them while planning the new design. Setting clear objectives help to avoid unpleasant surprises at the end.
Lifestyle
It is crucial to take into account your lifestyle to get the desired outcome. How you use the present kitchen and how you plan to use it in the future will have an impact on various remodeling decisions. Before planning the renovation, consider factors like how frequently you cook, the type of cook you are, how often guests come over for parties, the need for more specialized appliances, and if the kitchen will also be used as a space to entertain visitors.
A Realistic Budget
A kitchen renovation is a major expense. Setting a realistic budget at the outset, while keeping in mind the property’s actual value, will save you from overspending or being restrictive. Allocate the budget to various components to figure out how much you want to spend on different features. It will aid in purchasing what is essential and save on the rest. Consult an interior designer or a contractor for a rough cost estimate based on your requirements. Don’t forget to set aside a contingency fund for any unanticipated expenses.
DIY v/s Professional
Though it requires a lot of time and patience, DIY kitchen remodeling is cost-effective and not impossible. The homeowner should decide whether he is willing to invest time and effort or outsource it to the professionals. Several aspects of kitchen remodeling require technical skills that not everyone possesses. DIY projects can get risky and have a fair chance of
failure, while a professional can ensure a successful project with attention to detail. He can help with all the necessary aspects, including layout, flooring, and lighting, to ensure you get a fully-functional kitchen of your dreams.
Set a Timeline
Thinking about the beginning time and the completion time of the project is crucial. Kitchen remodeling projects are infamous for when it comes to timeline. Having a rough idea of the timeframe will keep you at peace.
Permit Requirements
While making minor changes in the kitchen outlet or design may not require permits, certain upgrades or major structural changes may require authorization from the city council. Take into account and get all essential clearances before beginning the project.
Layout and Design
Whether you wish to continue with the existing layout or want a change is an essential consideration. Modifying the current one will have a significant impact on the cost. Therefore, carefully plan if a few changes will suffice or a complete layout change is required.
Along with the layout, it is good to have a clear idea about the kitchen design. Consider design elements like tiles, paint, the height of appliances, power outlet placements, adequate storage space, faucets, countertops, and cabinets. Look through several magazines, browse the internet, or sit with the designer for the best options.
Appliances Selection
Do your homework and understand the kitchen appliances' preference, like the refrigerator, washing machine, oven, hob, and dishwasher, before commencing the kitchen renovation. According to experts, allocate 15-20% of the total renovation budget to appliances. Decide if you want built-in appliances so that provision can be made to incorporate them in the design.
Plumbing Considerations
Kitchen renovation also requires considerable changes in the plumbing. Consult the cost and feasibility of either installing new or moving the existing pipes or fixtures.
Apart from these, lighting, color scheme, space between counters, and venting requirements are some other factors that demand attention before getting ready to renovate.
Conclusion
Renovating your kitchen is a rewarding experience. Consider all these pointers before embarking on the journey of creating your dream kitchen. Preparing the groundwork well before beginning the kitchen renovation will ensure that things don’t go out of hand anytime during the whole project.
About the author:
Richa Khandelwal is a content writer with over 10 years of experience in home improvement niche. Currently she is working with a leading North Vancouver Renovation Company. In her free time she enjoys playing tennis and baking cookies.
