The heart of the home is in the kitchen. It’s where you gather for family dinners and to entertain friends. Your kitchen design should reflect how important this room is to the house.
Taking on a kitchen remodel is a lot of work. If you’re not careful, the remodel can go off the rails. If you need a kitchen upgrade, how do you ensure that the process goes smoothly?
You are watching: The Do’s and Don’ts of a Perfect Kitchen Remodel
Well, you can follow these tips to have a renovation that flows seamlessly from start to finish. These are the essential do’s and don’ts for the perfect kitchen remodel, presented by our expert Dallas handyman team.
DO Set Your Budget Before Hand
When it comes to kitchen designs, the budget is one of the first aspects to get out of hand. Kitchen remodel costs can balloon up before your eyes if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s essential to consider the budget before you swing the hammer.
It’s also important to be realistic about your budget and what you can afford. Looking for inspiration in magazines and websites can be helpful, but it can also give you unrealistic expectations. There may be materials or design features you love that are not in your budget.
The bright side is that there are so many options when it comes to kitchen renovations. If you fall in love with backsplash tiles you can’t afford, you can probably find something in a similar style for a lower price.
If you want your renovation to go smoothly, set a budget and stick to it.
DON’T Have a Rigid Viewpoint
There’s no doubt that you’re looking forward to your finished kitchen design. But don’t let the end project give you tunnel vision. With every kitchen renovation, there is almost a guarantee that something won’t go according to plan.
In order to get through these issues, you have to be a little flexible. A rigid viewpoint will only stop you from properly solving a problem. Instead, expect to compromise in at least one area to complete the project.
If something goes wrong, you may have to take something off your design list to stay on budget. If you want everything on your list, you may have to compromise and expand the budget.
No matter how meticulous your plan for your kitchen design is, something will probably go wrong. Allow yourself to be flexible throughout the design process.
DO Your Research
The last thing you want to do before a kitchen renovation is jump in blind. Before you proceed to demo day, take the time to do some renovation research. The more you do, the better off you’ll be when it’s time to start your project.
Take time to visit home stores and design showrooms to price some materials. This will help you know what you can and can’t afford.
It’s also worth researching any professionals that may assist you in the project. Peruse interior designers’ portfolios. Check out what work contractors in your area do.
Read reviews to get an idea of how the professionals work. And don’t be afraid to contact them for an interview process. The quality of the remodel is directly affected by the hands working on it.
DON’T Follow the Trends
There’s nothing wrong with trends. Many of them are popular for a reason. But you shouldn’t design your kitchen based solely on what magazines and social media say is possible.
Following the trends isn’t inherently bad. But choosing a design because it’s what experts say is popular will only leave you with a space you don’t really love.
Don’t feel pressured by trendy color schemes, materials, or design features if you don’t like the way they look. Instead, look at inspiration photos and pick out details you would like to incorporate into your design.
In the end, it’s what you love for your home, not what the experts predict will trend.
DO Consider Sudden and Hidden Costs
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Kitchen remodel costs can be sneaky. Kitchens are notorious for hidden costs popping up when the renovation feels like it’s right on track. Once you start tearing out cabinets, you may find yourself with problems you never considered.
It’s a good idea to factor in some contingency money into your budget to cover unexpected costs.
Be sure to consider the hidden costs of a renovation as well. You may not think of the cost of labor of the crew working on your remodel. Or the price of materials, taxes, shipping, and delivery costs.
All of these prices can add up quickly. So if you don’t take them into consideration, your budget could quickly get out of hand.
DON’T Rush The Timeline
A renovation is exciting. Wanting to get to the final project as quickly as possible is understandable. However, when it comes to renovations, slow and steady will give you the best results.
In a room as important as the kitchen, you want everything done right and done safely. You don’t want issues with the plumbing or electrical systems for the sake of cooking in a new kitchen a few weeks earlier.
Take your time to ensure that all the work is done properly and all the problems are addressed. Make sure any permits you need have been approved. Rushing through the renovation will only leave you with more work to do later down the line.
DO Think About Needs vs. Wants
One of the most exciting parts of any renovation is looking at inspiration. Looking through glossy magazines and filtered photos online can be really helpful in the design stage. Yet, this can also present a few problems, as mentioned earlier.
These images may convince you to buy items you don’t need. It’s tempting to buy gadgets and appliances that look great in a photo. It might not be the most practical option when it comes to your renovation.
Instead, think about what your kitchen needs and what you will need to function in the space. Focus on getting your needs into your kitchen before sprinkling in some wants.
DON’T Forget Storage
The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house. With this comes many appliances, tools, and accessories that are essential to its functioning. In order to have a kitchen that functions at its best, you’ll need proper storage.
If you’re taking out kitchen cabinets or changing the layout, it can be easy to lose storage. So when you’re designing your new kitchen, don’t forget to add storage back into the plan.
It’s a good idea to add more storage than you started with, even if it’s in a new way. There are many custom storage solutions for cabinets.
Storage also presents you with a unique opportunity to get creative. From open shelving to built-in pantries, the possibilities are ever-evolving.
DO Plan A Kitchen Layout
Before you start ripping out design features, figure out how you want your kitchen to look after the renovation. Kitchens, more than any other room, need to be functional. You need the room to move around and work.
When you’re planning to do a total kitchen remodel, you have to take the layout into consideration. Think about how your kitchen currently functions. What aspects need to change, and what can stay the same?
Figure out what works in your home now and what doesn’t. This will help you figure out what needs to change for your new kitchen to be the best space possible.
You can also speak to the professionals working on your project to get their input on your kitchen layout.
DON’T Cram In Too Much
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when designing your kitchen is putting too much in the space. It may be tempting to add lots of features and specialty appliances, but you may render your kitchen unusable.
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A lot of design features may do the opposite of what you’re trying to accomplish. Instead of a well-designed, magazine-worthy kitchen, it can look like you crammed as much into the room as possible without giving thought to how it functions.
You also don’t want to overload yourself with smaller appliances. A coffee station may look cool, but if you don’t use it, it only takes up space. Adding the latest appliances can make your space cluttered, taking room away from items you actually need.
DO Get Estimates From Experts
When you do your research online about how much certain projects cost, you’ll probably see a range of prices. Unfortunately, there’s no one price for any material or project when it comes to your kitchen renovation.
While prices can give you a ballpark estimate, it’s best to reach out to the experts to get a better idea of what you might pay. If your contractor or designer can come out and look at your space, that’s even better.
Seeing your kitchen in person will allow them to get a better idea of what work needs to be done. They can get the measurements to tell you how much material the project requires.
Getting an in-person expert opinion will allow you to be better prepared for the renovation ahead.
DON’T Neglect Walkways
This might seem obvious; of course you need room to walk in your kitchen. How else would the space be functional if you aren’t able to move around in it? Just because walkways are a given doesn’t mean you should neglect thinking about them.
Give yourself the luxury of having wide walkways to make it easier to get around your kitchen. A path that’s at least 36 inches wide will allow you to move without bumping into other people.
To increase efficiency, make the area around where you cook wider. At least 42 inches will give you the room you need to craft all of your delicious meals.
DO Choose The Right Contractor
Your contractor can make or break your renovation. That’s why it’s imperative for you to choose the right person to work on your project. Contractors get their future jobs by having a good reputation from their previous jobs.
Speak to your potential contractors about visiting any of their current job sites. You’ll be able to see how they work, the safety measures they implement, and the quality of their craft.
Be sure to check out the work of your potential contractors. It’s okay to have an interview process to find out if they’re the right person for the job. Ask your contractors for references and contact the most recent.
Also, ask about the contractor’s work habits. How well did they stick to the budget and the scope of work? Did anything go wrong during the project, and how was the crisis resolved?
DON’T Forget the Work Triangle
The work triangle is a staple in a well-designed kitchen. This placement includes the fridge, stove, and sink in a way that’s most efficient. With all of the factors that go into renovating a kitchen, it can be hard to remember these little details.
The work triangle is essential if you want your kitchen remodel to come out better than it was before. To get the best work triangle, first, consider the shape of your room. Then you’ll want to take a look at the layout shape of your kitchen.
From there, create the work triangle with the stove, sink, and refrigerator. There’s a way to get the work triangle even with a one-wall kitchen. All well-designed kitchens keep the work triangle in mind.
The Perfect Kitchen Remodel Is Just Steps Away
Your kitchen is the heart of your home, so it deserves to be perfect. Your family may love gathering in the kitchen and cooking dinner together. Or you may enjoy making an array of appetizers to entertain your friends.
No matter how you use your kitchen, the perfect kitchen remodel is within reach. If you take these do’s and don’ts into consideration, updating your kitchen will go smoothly. The space of your dreams that you’ll love to spend time in is right around the corner!
Ready to transform your kitchen to the design feature you deserve? Request a service from our expert handymen to get your perfect kitchen.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens
