While many parts of the economy took a hit during COVID, home renovations surged! In the US, spending on home improvements grew by 3% as people took to their tools as stay-at-home orders came into effect.
Did your time at home make you realize it’s time to do something about your kitchen? Maybe the design no longer works, or the cabinets are past their best. Whatever the reason, remodeling your kitchen is a great way to breathe new life into your home!
Let’s take a closer look at seven factors to consider to get your kitchen reno right.
1. Your Budget
Sorry to start on a downer, but everyone has to work to a budget. The best kitchen for you is one that you can afford, not one that you’ll pay off in thirty years’ time!
Think about how long you plan to stay in your home. Is this your forever home? Your home renovation budget may be a bit higher, as you’ll want to enjoy it for longer.
Is this one of a few home upgrades to help you sell your home? A repaint, possibly some new cabinet doors, or even just new door fixtures could be enough to give it a lift.
2. Know What’s Important to You
What does the word kitchen mean to you? For some, it’s all about cooking. For others, it’s a meeting place, so the priority is somewhere to gather.
Before choosing a design, make sure it meets your brief.
3. Include Lots of Storage Space
One of people’s most common kitchen complaints? Lack of storage space.
You may have lots of cool remodeling ideas, but if there’s no storage space, the kitchen will always be messy. Some kitchen storage ideas include stackable storage, pegboards, and drawers in cabinets.
4. Think About Workflow
Ask any kitchen designer and they’ll talk about the working triangle. The refrigerator, stove, and sink should be at three points of an imaginary triangle. The distance between each point should be between four and nine feet.
No matter how big or small your kitchen is, make this layout your goal and design the rest of the kitchen around it. If it’s going to cost a lot to move plumbing or gas lines though, working with what you have may be best.
5. Be Careful With Appliances
Some people start their remodeling plans by choosing appliances. This is a mistake. It’s best to design the kitchen you want, then choose appliances to fit.
If you work the other way around, you can end up building your kitchen around appliances that aren’t really suitable for the space.
For example, you might fall in love with a huge stove. But do you really have room for it? Trying to squeeze in oversized appliances can make the whole kitchen feel unbalanced.
6. Don’t Forget Lighting
Kitchen cabinets can throw off strange shadows, which make it hard to see when cooking.
Choose great lighting, including under cabinet lights. Your goal is to illuminate the whole room so that both cooking and socializing is easy.
7. Find the Right Contractor
Kitchen remodeling starts with great ideas, but you need the right contractor to pull it all together.
Search for local contractors online and read reviews. Always get at least three quotes. Remember to look beyond the price and consider quality over cost.
Ready to Start Remodeling Your Kitchen?
Remodeling your kitchen should be a fun experience. But you need to balance practicality with style. Start with the working triangle, then think about style, and choose your appliances last.
You’ll ensure that you have a user-friendly kitchen that works well as a cooking and entertaining space.
If you’ve enjoyed these tips for the ultimate kitchen remodel, then head over to our Kitchen section today. We’ve got more great ideas to make your kitchen the heart of your home.