If you only had the option to renovate one room in your home, the majority of you would select your kitchen. Everyone has an idea of what their dream kitchen would look like but often don’t know where to start.
As noted in one of my blogs, I highly recommend you hire professional help before undertaking a kitchen renovation. But before we even get there, you have to have some sort of idea of what you’d like your dream kitchen to be. That’s when resources such as Pinterest, Houzz and interior design websites come in handy.
Do you want your kitchen to be modern, functional, open, a space to hangout when your family and friends come over? There are so many things to consider, before we even get to the costs of the project. To prevent information overload, I’ve narrowed down the list to the eight most important things to consider before renovating your kitchen.
Budget
Next to the bathroom, the kitchen is one of the most expensive rooms to renovate. With the myriad of labourers (plumbers, electricians, cabinetmakers, etc), materials and time, there are many things going on in a small space. A rule of thumb is to invest approximately 10 per cent of the home’s overall value.
There are many things that go into kitchens, especially when considering custom details. Custom cabinetry can start in the neighbourhood of $50,000. Start by being completely honest with what you need and what you can afford to prevent future headaches.
Lifestyle
How do you want your kitchen to function? Do you want to use your kitchen to entertain guests? Do you prefer natural light? Can you make room for an island? What works for you now? These are some of the questions you would discuss with your designer before starting your kitchen renovation.
Interior Designer
An interior designer can help you see the bigger picture. For instance, they can help plan the new layout and determine where everything will go right down to the electrical receptacles. They analyze the various ways a kitchen’s layout can be adjusted to accommodate your needs. Design is both function and beauty. They will help you choose everything from materials, to fixtures to lighting and manage the project to ensure all details are implemented.
Timeframe
Be realistic. It will take more than the 45 minutes (plus commercials) you see on your favourite renovation show. Your designer and contractor will give you a time. Design tip: always be prepared for the job to take longer than you planned for.
Appliances
Get the best you can afford. If you want built in appliances they need to be planned for from the beginning. Steam ovens, built-in coffee makers and wine fridges are finding their way into the mainstream market and if your kitchen is your entertainment space, you’ll want to consider incorporating them into the plan.
Don’t cut costs!
You may think you can save money by keeping the existing windows, plumbing, lighting, etc. but let your designer and contractor determine what, if anything is worth keeping. It may cost more money to work around older pieces or infrastructure. Sometimes cutting costs leads to more expensive, unnecessary issues in the future.
Pay it forward
Consider donating your used cabinetry, appliances and fixtures like faucets and sinks if they are in good condition. Places like, Habitat For Humanity’s ReStore will pick up at your location with notice.
A new kitchen adds value to your asset, your investment, your home. Consider these points before you embark on creating your new kitchen and one last thought, don’t lose your sense of humour in the process, it’ll come in handy.
