When it comes to kitchen remodels, many people can be intimidated by all the different steps, options, and cost. Rest assured, we’re here to help guide you through it.
Resale Value
If, or when, the time comes that you want to sell your home, a remodeled kitchen is a great selling point. Even if you just update the appliances, you can exponentially increase your resale value.
Step 1 - Planning
While browsing Pinterest, HGTV, and the many other home inspired sites, you may feel like you don’t know where to start when remodeling your kitchen. We suggest you start with some questions, like:
Is there anything that needs replacing? I.e. appliances, sink, cabinets, etc.
Whether this is because of old pipes or plumbing, rusted hinges, or just outdated materials or colors, you first want to look at what needs to be replaced before they become bigger issues you need to deal with.
What do I not like about my kitchen?
Wish you had darker cabinets? An island? More outlets? Maybe more storage space? See what you don’t like about your current kitchen and find some inspiration about how you could make those things reflect your personality and lifestyle more.
What do I use my kitchen for the most?
This may seem like a silly question at first, with most answering something along the lines of, “Well, cooking!” However, some homes have an open kitchen with an island that acts as a bar, used for dinners or maybe even homework for kids or teenagers. Some homes are designed where the kitchen opens directly to the dining room or living room, as if it’s one big room, and so the kitchen is part of the entertainment area.
Think about what you use the kitchen for the most in your household, and look for inspiration about ways you could implement small details or elements that may make it more useful or beneficial for you.
For example, if cooking is your main kitchen focus, maybe including a unique way to hang and display your pots and pans. Or maybe if your kitchen is more of an office/school area, you could include a small bookshelf or desk. If you use it to entertain, maybe you could include a small TV, or higher countertops.
Step 2 - Budget
Once you’ve gone through some kind of a planning process, you can start looking at your budget. You may want to prioritize your remodel plans so that it’s not such a daunting cost right up front. Plus, this will help you as you read along in this blog.
Something to keep in mind when you’re budgeting is having some different options. You may be able to afford new cabinets, but maybe not the material you really want. You can ultimately decide if you’d rather wait and get the material you want, or go for it and get something similar but less expensive.
Step 3 - Design and Layout
You’d be surprised how many different layouts are available for a kitchen remodel. From one wall to L-shape, to a galley layout or a horseshoe kitchen, or maybe your kitchen could benefit from an island, your kitchen can become whatever you want it to be. Keep in mind your traffic flow and workflow. Use your answers from the questions in Step 1 to help you choose a layout.
When it comes to design, this is where you get to choose your color scheme, overall style, storage and organization ideas. Enjoy some time looking around online for kitchen design ideas and piece together a list of things you like the most.
Step 4 - Choosing Materials
Once you’re ready to start choosing materials, refer back to your answers from Step 1. If you have a large family, you may want to choose materials that are easy to clean. If you entertain a lot, you may want to splurge for more unique materials.
It also helps to research common problems with certain materials, especially woods, so that you’re aware of possible issues you could see in the future. If you choose a softer wood, it could warp over time. If you cook a lot, you may want to pay attention to any design options or materials that go above your stove, and make sure they won’t be damaged by prolonged heat exposure. Better yet, see what hoods or covers you could work into your design that will protect your walls and the space above your stove.
Step 5 - Storage and Organization
Lots of kitchen remodels are including more built in shelving, a desk area, wall hooks for pots and pans, hanging space savers, and more. For example, more and more kitchens are building in slide out organizers in cabinets and pantries.
Also, look around your kitchen and see where they may be free space, such as between your refrigerator and the wall. This is often a great place for a slide out spice rack!
Step 6 - Hire the Professionals
While there may be a lot of DIY videos and tutorials online, it’s always a better idea to hire professionals who will be able to look at your home and tell you what’s possible and what isn’t - or what would need to be done in order to achieve all of your remodeling goals. Most home remodel companies will work with your budget, too, and help you get a plan together to make sure the remodel won’t affect your day to day life.
Give us a call today and let’s get started working on your kitchen remodel!