A kitchen renovation is one of the smartest home remodeling projects. It improves your daily life and can dramatically increase your home’s value. When you are remodeling your kitchen, there are thousands of options for appliances, cabinets, furnishings and design styles. You want to end up with the kitchen space that is perfectly customized to your preferences and lifestyle, but it can be a challenge to sort through all the options and choose the best ones. Here are a few things to consider when designing your new kitchen.
1. Affordability
Of course, it’s fun to imagine choosing every element of your new kitchen as if money were no object, but for most people, it’s necessary to stay within a budget. There are several affordable choices for appliances and cabinets that are beautiful and stylish without being extremely expensive. Pr-assembled kitchen cabinets are available in several beautiful wood styles and because they come to your home already built, you don’t have to spend a large chunk of your budget paying for assembly and installation. It’s a great option for DIYers and you can even shop for cabinets online.
2. Flow
When you are remodeling your kitchen, it’s good to take a step back and decide if you want to actually change the physical layout of the space. You may want to enlarge the kitchen, add an island or integrate a breakfast nook. Consider how you use your kitchen on a daily basis and use that information to create a design that is efficient and comfortable. You should also take into account how to create adequate lighting, and make room for all the appliances you want including “bonus” additions such as a walk-in pantry or coffee bar area.
3. Appliances
If your remodel will include upgrading to new appliances, it’s vital to check all the applicable building codes to make sure the layout and appliances you choose will pass inspection. Your local codes may require high-efficiency appliances or a certain venting apparatus with gas ranges. You may also need to redesign your cabinet layout if you choose appliances that are larger or smaller than the standard sizing. If you are a home chef who cooks often, professional grade appliances may be a good investment but it’s wise to research all the options before making your decision.
4. Expert Help
You may want to hire out your entire kitchen remodeling project to professionals, or you may be committed to doing it all yourself. Another thing to consider is hiring out some work, but doing what you can yourself. This is a good option for balancing the budget savings of DIY work with the time it takes for some complex projects such as rewiring electrical lines. You can also use online resources. Kitchen Cabinet Kings has excellent, free design tools on the website and offers both per-assembled and ready-to-assemble cabinets that are even more affordable.
Remodeling your kitchen can be one of the most satisfying and financially smart home renovation projects. You’ll get to enjoy the results every day, especially if you take the time first to plan out a design that is customized for your lifestyle and speaks to your design preferences. You can do some or all of the work yourself, especially with convenient options such as per-assembled cabinets. If you do want help designing the space or installing certain elements, you can find some good resources online as well as from local professionals.