Renovating your kitchen is a big undertaking, so you must get it right the first time. If done well, a new kitchen renovation can become of the most significant projects that you will ever invest in for your home.
For those that have never undergone a kitchen renovation before, the remodeling process can be daunting. While gathering information, sourcing ideas online, and looking at samples at your local store can seem like fun, it’s important to look at the bigger picture before you take the next step. The following ideas are some of the things you should consider before you begin remodeling your kitchen.
1. Consider Getting a Professional In
If you don’t want your kitchen to look the same as everyone else’s, consider a bespoke kitchen. Professional kitchen designers spend time getting to know you and your style so that they can bring that vision of your ideal kitchen in your head to life. The team at Kitchen Capital offer complete kitchen renovations in Perth, Western Australia, and have designers that specialize in many styles from Traditional and Hamptons, through to Modern and Contemporary.
2. Determine Your Budget
The best way to make sure that you’re not accidentally spending too much of your savings on your kitchen renovation is to determine a budget before you begin. Figure out both your desired budget and how much wiggle room you have to go over. This way, you can even try and save money on your renovation project.
3. Figure Out a Timeframe
As well as a strict budget, make sure to determine a timeframe. Think about how long you can really live in a temporary kitchen. Do you need the renovations to be finished in 4 weeks? Or could you stretch it to 8, instead? There’s a lot to plan when renovating a kitchen, so make sure that your remodel is carefully choreographed, so you avoid having to juggle schedules at the last minute.
4. Consider if You Need Any Permits
You need to bear in mind that certain types of upgrades require city government permits. Without these, you will encounter difficulties when selling or refinancing your home as buyers and lenders will want to check that your renovations comply with building codes and regulations.
5. Examine the Plumbing
When thinking about your kitchen renovations, consider if any plumbing will need to be moved. While you may be envisioning certain pieces in particular places, it’s vital to check that the correct pipes can be moved to the correct places.
6. Think about Your Storage
If you can, think about where you are going to put everything in your kitchen. It’s likely that as well as buying new appliances and kitchen utensils, you will also keep the majority of what you already have. Figure out how much storage you want and research smart storage ideas for additional inspiration.
7. Choose Appliances Carefully
Make sure that you choose any new kitchen appliances with resale in mind. For example, a brightly colored fridge or a slightly out-there surface material might negatively affect the resale value of your home later down the road.
8. Remember Good Lighting is Key
If you don’t want your kitchen to be too dark, consider different types of lighting. At a minimum, you will need ambient lighting for general illumination, as well as task lighting, so that you can focus on a range of cooking tasks.
9. Think about Layout Functionality
The functionality of your kitchen layout is another important thing to consider. What will your kitchen be like if you are using all of the drawers and appliances at the same time? Will opening your fridge door prevent you from getting into the oven? Consider the layout of the remodel before you approve the floor plan. If you are considering adding a kitchen island, make sure that you have enough room. Remember, an island also requires electrical outlets.
10. Are There Any Non-Negotiables?
Consider which parts of your new kitchen plan you can’t live without. Discuss these non-negotiables with your contractor and make sure that everybody is on the same page before the building begins.
Conclusion
There are many ways to make sure that your kitchen renovation doesn’t get out of hand; all you need to do is set some ground rules firmly in place. With just simple forethought, your kitchen remodeling will roll smoothly, and you may even complete it under budget. However, don’t forget to have a contingency budget in case your project pulls a surprise on you!