Now that you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen and started to browse kitchen makeover options you are probably getting to the point that you can actually see your dream kitchen begin to take shape … well … at least in your dreams. If you are able to sleep at all. Most nights you probably lay awake either too excited or too nervous about what you can do to make your long-awaited project go as planned. You can relax a bit since we are going to give you some tips to help achieve the successful kitchen remodel you’re hoping for.
- Keep your renovation to scale. “Scale” is important when it comes to planning a kitchen remodel. Scale the project, along with the resulting kitchen remodel cost, to your budget. As an example, if you are looking to complete the job with limited funds you may consider refacing your existing cabinets rather than replacing them entirely. You will also want to scale to the standards of your neighborhood. The latter is particularly important if you are thinking of selling your home; potential buyers aren’t going to be looking for a $60,000 kitchen if local home prices run around $200K for an entire house. Another aspect of scale is the actual physical size of your kitchen. You should keep your appliances, furniture, and other architectural features in proportion to the square footage of space you are dealing with.
- Set up an alternative space for cooking during the duration of your project. this could be as basic as a microwave and some paper plates in your laundry room. Usually, to complete a kitchen remodel it will take 6-8 weeks. This could be even a little longer if things go wrong … and sometimes they do. That could make for an awful lot of dining out. If you are the really organized type, you can cook and freeze some simple, nutritious meals before you begin.
- Avoid delays and extra charges. Consult with your remodeling contractor beforehand to get the benefit of his expert recommendations, professional discounts, and verified measurements then make up your mind. Decide on – and order – as much of the materials (plumbing fixtures, appliances, flooring, countertops, tiles, paint, and so on) before the crew arrives.
- Consider traffic flow. An important part of designing a kitchen that’s a cozy space for living is ensuring enough space for activity. Your kitchen may not be large enough to accommodate an industrial range or an oversized island with several people rushing around to get a bite to eat on a busy morning. You may consider a kitchen island on wheels, which rolls out of the way when not in use.
- Optimize your storage. Having a lot of storage in your kitchen is wonderful indeed, but it will be even better if it is customized to fit your individual lifestyle. Those trendy tall skinny cupboards that hold a dozen upright cookie sheets or a temperature-controlled wine cooler may sound great; if you happen to be someone that prefers a low carb lifestyle and doesn’t drink wine, not so much.
- Vary the lighting. In many homes today, the kitchen is a busy area with many purposes … this makes the installation of a wider variety of lighting types and strengths an excellent idea. Consider focused task lighting under the cabinets and on other prep areas; plus bright lights for reading and homework sessions, and a warm overhead fixture equipped with a dimmer switch to wind down over a cozy casual dinner.
- It’s time to vent. Sorry, we don’t mean staging a family intervention in the middle of your kitchen, but rather a stove hood to get rid of strong cooking smells. Everyone loves garlic but not when it still lingers in the air the morning after your spaghetti dinner. Make sure that you purchase the type that vents to the outdoors, rather than simply removing odors, to avoid excess moisture in the air and eventually in your kitchen cabinets, appliances, walls, and ceiling, where it can wreak all kinds of havoc.
Remodeling your kitchen can be a fun and exciting endeavor and the pros at Temecula Cabinets are available to help you with even more tips to keep it a pleasant experience.