Kitchen renovations are often extensive projects that have the potential to transform your home. Your family spends the majority of their day moving in and out of the kitchen, meaning good design and functional features are vital. The very best way to ensure your kitchen renovation is valuable and successful is to invest in the preparation stage.
Why Prepare?
Dated features, cramped spaces and inconvenient design are three of the main reasons people embark on kitchen renovations. Make that investment count by considering all of the options before the first step of your project begins. That way you can be sure this kitchen remodeling job will not only address the issues, but result in a room that your whole family will love to spend time in.
Preparation also saves time and money. By thinking about the design and any potential issues beforehand you will head off problems that tie up construction and usually end up adding to the overall cost. Preparation can start long before the renovation kicks off, and the more in depth this stage is the more successful your remodel will be.
All the Basics
Consider these elements of kitchen renovation during the planning stage:
Size and Design - Think about the layout of your current kitchen. Is there enough workspace? Is an eat-in kitchen necessary? How does traffic flow through the space? And is there adequate storage? Reorganizing the space even a little can drastically improve the design of your kitchen, while expanding the area might be the most viable option to add space.
Structural Issues - Take stock of the structural condition of this important room. Can you knock out walls or add windows without threatening the stability of your home? How is the insulation in the walls and ceiling? And do the windows and doors in the space add to the energy efficiency? Conduct a thorough inspection and have all structural repairs looked after in the opening stages of the renovation.
Appliances and Kitchen Fixtures - Assess the condition of your appliances and fixtures. Do they have a fair amount of usable life in them or is it time for a replacement? Upgrading to more energy efficient appliances and fixtures that allow for water conservation are easy ways to build a greener kitchen.
If you are planning on changing the style of your kitchen, consider whether the plumbing fixtures and kitchen appliances you have will mesh well with the new style.
Counters - Have a close look at the countertop in your kitchen. Are there any damaged areas? Does the color and style suit your home well? Have you ever thought about a different type of counter - such as concrete, marble or natural stone?
Pay special attention to the seams and corners of your countertop. Less expensive laminated products can split and distort creating a spot for moisture, mold and mildew to build up. Remember that damaged counters and those that are difficult to clean tend to harbor bacteria. Keep your kitchen cleaner and safer with a high quality countertop.
This is also the time to consider your sink. Is it worthwhile to invest in an under-counter mount or are you happy with the existing style?
Cabinets - Stand back and take a long look at the cabinets in your kitchen. Perhaps more than anything else cabinetry sets the style and tone of the room, so be sure to choose something you love. Custom-made cabinets are a major investment, but they also deliver exceptional quality and allow you to incorporate cabinets that suit your style and needs perfectly.
If the existing cabinets are in peak condition, consider refacing them or simply updating the doors and hardware. Think about color, texture and materials, keeping in mind the ease of cleaning and how much natural light is in the room.
Electrical and Plumbing - Start with electrical services, considering the number of outlets and lighting. Both of these will make a major difference to the functionality of your new kitchen. Not enough outlets and you'll find your workspace is limited; inadequate lighting leaves you in the shadows and creates an unwelcoming atmosphere. Remember to include GFC outlets in this area for safety.
Move on to the plumbing once the electrical needs have been assessed. Are the pipes up to current building codes? Do you see any evidence of leaks, such as discoloration and water damage? Be sure that every leak is repaired before the kitchen renovation is complete. Small leaks can escalate into large-scale damage to new materials.
Moving the plumbing may be easier than you think as well, making it possible to relocate your major plumbing fixtures to create a more functional workspace.
Flooring and Walls - Examine the finishes in your existing kitchen. Are they dated or worn, boring or too bold? Now is the time for redecoration, with new flooring and new wall finishes taking a key role in the remodeling project. Think about comfortable flooring that will need little maintenance and stands up to moisture. Tile is always popular, as is cork flooring and high quality laminate. Wall finishes can be anything you please - just be sure that the paint is specially formulated for use in the kitchen or it may deteriorate prematurely.
Your kitchen renovation requires extensive and in depth planning. Be prepared to take plenty of time before the remodeling project starts to have a close look at your existing kitchen and make some decisions about the new space. From size and design to appliances, fixtures, countertops and cabinets, there are decisions to be made that will affect the overall look of the room. Behind the scenes elements like the electrical, plumbing and structural issues demand your attention as well. Have fun with this all important initial stage and remember that the more carefully you plan, the more beautiful your new kitchen will turn out to be.
Posted by: TrustedPros
