Things Not to Do While Remodeling Your Kitchen
I truly believe that kitchen is more than just a room for cooking/preparing food. It is actually the heart of every home. The evolution of kitchen design is directly linked to the choice of people that changes with time may be because of changing trends or the new technologies or designs prevailing in the market.
NO KITCHEN ISLAND
A kitchen island that you think represents the luxury of space is actually a magnet for all the messes. No matter how many times to try to clear out space, the result is always a mess. Not only just the mess, but it is also considered as impractical in kitchens with smaller areas, so just try to avoid this element to much extent.
SAY NO TO DARK COLORS
Try to avoid bright and flashy colors and instead use soft/light colors, be it greys, browns, greens, purples, lemons etc. This is not only because soft colors lit your kitchen without using any electricity during the daytime at least but also soft colors have long-term value in terms of durability, cleaning and what not. So, try to use the colors which are pleasant to eyes for real.
NO DOUBLE LAYER KITCHEN STORAGE
Too much storage is too bad at times when it comes to additional drawers/dividers because practically they aren’t that useful as they seem and moreover they also invite more junk into the storages which results in a decrement of storage instead of increment. Moreover, they are not only expensive but you have to be too careful while using such complicated drawers, so it’s better to avoid them
DON’T MESS WITH KITCHEN WORK TRIANGLE
Not to forget the working of the kitchen behind putting all those colors and kitchen appliances on point. So, the major 3 elements i.e refrigerator, stove, the sink should be placed close to each other for the easy working in any kitchen
Things To Know Before A Kitchen Remodel
Are you thinking about a kitchen remodel this summer? You’re not alone! Many of the best homes for sale have newly updated kitchens, making this a great investment. When our brokers are helping potential buyers find their dream home, a great kitchen is almost always one of the most in-demand features.
Taking the time to create a solid plan and think through the details before you start your remodeling project can help you avoid any post-remodel regrets. Here are a few of the most important things you’ll want to consider.
Decide if You’re Loving or Listing
One of the first things you’ll want to do is think about whether you’re planning to stay in your home for the long term. If you’re remodeling in anticipation of selling, you’ll approach your project in a completely different way than you will if you’re designing your dream kitchen. If you’re planning to stay, it makes much more sense to splurge on the things that you’ve always wanted. Have you been dreaming of a built-in meat ager or a wine cooler? Go for it! However, if you’re remodeling to sell, these types of upgrades aren’t likely to bring you a great return on your investment.
Start with Your Budget
Starting a major project like this without a budget in place is a recipe for disaster. Chances are, you’ll end up spending way more than you anticipated or, even worse, you’ll run out of money before your remodel is complete. Don’t let this happen to you! Instead, plan out a detailed budget for each phase of your project. Don’t forget to add in the costs for appliances, materials, labor, and permits. It’s also a good idea to add an extra 10% cushion to cover any unexpected costs that come up.
Create a Realistic Timeline
It’s also critical to commit to a realistic timeline. The last thing you want is to get into a remodeling project that drags on for months longer than expected. Whether you’re hiring a contractor, planning a DIY project, or doing a combination of the two, it’s important to set your schedule and make sure you’re hitting milestones when you should. To help ensure you stick to the schedule, make sure you already have your materials and appliances before you start. You’ll also want to schedule electricians, plumbers, and any other subcontractors ahead of time. Otherwise, one small delay can sideline your entire project.
Choose Your Appliances Carefully
Picking out your new appliances is one of the most important (and most fun!) parts of a kitchen remodel. Make sure you don’t skimp here. You definitely don’t want to put effort into a remodel only to find that you’re disappointed with the results. On the other hand, don’t go too crazy. It’s so easy to get no-interest financing right now that you might be tempted to buy top-of-the-line everything. Splurge where it makes sense and choose simple, high-quality options for the rest.
Consider Your Cabinets
Quality kitchen cabinets are expensive, but it’s well worth the investment. In fact, putting cheap cabinets in your kitchen is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. When choosing your cabinets, make sure they’re trendy enough to give the remodel a modern look, but not so trendy that they’ll go out of style in just a few years.
Don’t Forget Lighting
The lighting you choose can make or break a kitchen remodel. Most older kitchens make do with a couple of ceiling lights and a small window over the sink. Now is the time to make a change! Consider replacing your windows with larger ones so you can take advantage of natural light. Also consider adding some interesting lighting options like pendant fixtures, under-cabinet LEDs, or even a chandelier. Make sure you add dimmer switches so that you can have plenty of light while you’re cooking and then set a more intimate mood for socializing.
Set Up a Temporary Kitchen
Living without a fully-functional kitchen is a hassle, especially if you have children. While it’s not ideal, you can create a temporary kitchen by putting your refrigerator and microwave in another room during the remodel. If the weather is warm enough, plan to grill outdoors or eat out.
Make Sure a Remodel is Really Right for You
Sometimes, it’s best to skip the remodel altogether. If you need major renovations to achieve the look you want, it’s often better to simply buy a new home that already has the features you’re looking for.
budget kitchen upgrades you can get done in a weekend
If you don’t already have plans, like a coveted dinner booking or catching up with friends, take it as a sign to tackle a low-cost kitchen upgrade. You might think that doing any kind of kitchen renovation is a task that’s not only expensive, but time consuming too.
There are some really simple tweaks you can make to your kitchen to give the space a refresh that won’t break the bank and can be done in a weekend. The best part is even beginner renovators can give some of these ideas a go at home.
Pick up a paint brush
When it comes to making a big impact on a budget, paint is your new best mate. There are so many parts of the kitchen you can change with a new lick of paint too. From the walls to your cabinets, pick which element needs a refresh and get to work.
Change your hardware
For a small investment and around an hour’s work, you can make a decent change to the look for your kitchen by changing the hardware. The handles on your cupboards and drawers can all be replaced, meaning you can change up the look of your kitchen with new hardware. Go for pops of brass or brushed gold hardware, paint your existing handles to give them a new life in a new colour.
Create a kitchen garden
A hit of green never hurt a kitchen in need of an update. The level of commitment here is totally personal — you could go for a full blown vertical garden wall. But if that seems like too much of a commitment, go for a herb garden on your window sill or even just a couple of little pots of your favourite herbs.
STEP CHECKLIST FOR AN ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHEN REMODEL
Nothing totally transforms the feel of a home like a freshly-updated kitchen. You can be “on trend” and still have a gorgeous efficient and healthy kitchen. When it comes to green remodeling, the kitchen may be the absolute perfect candidate – as anyone with remodeling experience knows, there are just about a million different ways to do it! After all, a kitchen remodel means updating cabinetry, faucets, walls, floors, countertops, appliances, you name it — the possibilities are seriously endless
FIND AN ECO-EXPERT CONTRACTOR
Working with a professional who already knows the green options you have to work with is always better than filling somebody in along the way and hoping for the best. You’ll save yourself both time and money by making sure you choose a contractor that speaks the language and knows all about the eco-friendly, non-toxic kitchen you’re looking for!
CHOOSE ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS
Countertops, flooring, backsplash — oh my! Choosing materials and bringing a color scheme together might be the funnest part about a kitchen remodel. But before you make your final material decisions, make sure you know their environmental impact. Plenty of sustainable materials, including countertops, FSC-certified cabinets, eco-friendly sinks and faucets, and recycled appliances are available to suit any space and any style. A beautiful kitchen is a lovely thing to see. But a beautiful and sustainably-sourced kitchen? Even better!
BUILD BETTER CABINETS
An eco-friendly kitchen simply wouldn’t be complete without non-toxic, sustainable cabinets. Most conventional cabinets, such as those made from plywood, pressed wood, particle board, and medium-density fiberboard, were assembled with glues that contain formaldehyde — a known carcinogen which off-gasses into your air long after the glue dries. Your eco-friendly kitchen deserves better! Choose cabinets built with safer materials like formaldehyde-free woods, solid wood, recycled wood, reclaimed wood, FSC-certified wood, bamboo, or even recycled concrete.
SELECT WATER-EFFICIENT FIXTURES
Did you know that simply choosing the right eco-friendly faucets can dramatically reduce the amount of water used in your home? Low-flow faucets, like those with the WaterSense label, conserve water without sacrificing the luxurious feel of high water pressure. WaterSense faucets use a maximum of 1.5 gallons per minute and can reduce a sink’s water flow by 30 percent or more, without sacrificing performance. In fact, we could save billions of gallons nationwide each year by retrofitting sink faucets with WaterSense eco-friendly faucets. Incredible
Things to Consider Before Remodeling Your Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is more than just a place for cooking meals and storing your food and appliances. Today, most people consider it as a space dedicated for fun family activities. Others even choose to entertain friends in the kitchen. A lot of homeowners dream of the day when they’ll finally be able to revamp their kitchen space. If you are thinking about redoing your kitchen, then we urge you to read on.
Make a plan
The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house. Take a look at your kitchen and think about what you want to do to make it more beautiful and functional. Think about traffic patterns. Work aisles should be at least 42 inches wide. Paths throughout the kitchen should be at least 36 inches wide. Also, think about where to store your pots, pans, plates, and other kitchen equipment. Everything should have its own place.
Set a budget
The kitchen is one of the most popular rooms to remodel, but it is also one of the most expensive to renovate. Depending on how serious an overhaul it is, the average kitchen renovation ranges between $20,000 to $50,000. The idea of giving your kitchen a makeover can be exciting, but it is a project that requires careful planning and budgeting. As you design your dream kitchen, you should also take a look at your financial picture and decide how much you are willing to spend for this project.
Consider your needs and lifestyle
Your kitchen should reflect your lifestyle. So before taking on a remodeling project, you need to take your family’s needs and lifestyle into consideration. Start by reflecting about how you actually use your kitchen. Is it mainly used for preparing meals? Or do you usually use it to entertain guests? Do your kids do their homework in the kitchen?
How long will it take?
The average kitchen renovation takes about 6 to 8 weeks. Generally, it depends on the complexity of the project, kitchen size, and scope. Before you start, ask your contractor for a timeframe. Sometimes, it takes longer than the agreed upon timeframe, so be prepared for that. If you are planning to do a major renovation, then you may need to stay someplace else while renovations are taking place. Imagine cooking and preparing meals in a messy home. I bet it’s going to cost you your sanity. Renting an apartment is a a good idea as it will lessen your stress. Plus, it will be easier for the contractors to do their job if no one is at home.