Home and Garden

Everything You Need to Know for a Successful Kitchen Remodel

The kitchen is that part of the home that brings joy to its inhabitants. It is among the most favorite rooms in the home and with good reason. It is often referred to as the heart of the home. 

If the heart of your home has been looking a little bit shabby and you’re thinking that it’s time for a remodeling there’s a lot to consider before you dive into a project like this. Depending on the size of your kitchen it can be an extensive project or it can be a small one. 

Nevertheless there are some pitfalls that you may encounter that can be avoided. Here’s a look at how you can whip this room into shape very quickly.

Decide On Your Vision

The first thing you’re going to need to decide is your vision for the project. If you have some idea in your head already about how you want the kitchen to look when it is finished then you are well ahead of the game. However, if you have no idea what you want the finished product to look like and you just know that you are dissatisfied with the current state of affairs, you have some research to do. 

There are many sites on the internet that you can go to for kitchen remodeling ideas. However, the best place for you to go is a visual website such as Pinterest. There you will find visual clues as to how your kitchen should look. Create an account and then save all the wonderful visual ideas you have collected on one of the Pinterest boards. You can then pop in and take a look at it whenever you are ready to get started on your project. 

Decide On Spending

A big part of a project like this is deciding how much money you are going to spend. The last thing you want to go on is a spending spree. This will certainly put holes in your pocket very quickly if you’re not careful. 

You need to know how much money you can afford upfront to remodel the kitchen. Yes there will always be times when you will need to go a little bit out of budget but it shouldn’t be too much. 

When the project is over you should not be nursing a wounded bank account. If you are it means you did not plan your budget carefully. Decide how much you can spend on things such as flooring, appliances, carpentry as well as labor upfront. 

Decide On the Layout 

It is very important that you decide on a layout for your kitchen because it will impact its functionality. There is a classic work triangle concept where you can optimize the space between the sink and the stove as well as the refrigerator. When you have a design like this it minimizes any unnecessary movements and it will improve your efficiency. 

Modern kitchens often have islands which can put a damper on the triangular bed. However, if you know how to position things everything will still go smoothly. 

Get Help

You have probably noticed that there is a lot that you will need to do when you are planning a kitchen remodel. It can all get to your head and if you’re not careful it can be very overwhelming.

To avoid all the hassles and headaches that can come along with it, it is a good idea to make sure that you are hiring someone who is knowledgeable about everything that it takes to remodel a kitchen. Professional help is a must. Depending on what you are trying to do you should never go it alone. 

Doing a DIY on certain parts of a project can spell disaster for you. If you mess up you are going to have to correct your mistakes with a professional. That means you are going to have to buy more materials and this will certainly drill many holes into your pocket. 

It is always best to get a professional to help you with all of the project or parts of the project that will be too overwhelming for you. In most cases, kitchen remodeling is best left to the professionals. 

Think About Storage

A kitchen that does not have proper storage solutions can be the bane of your existence if you’re not careful. This is why you need to think out storage solutions for your kitchen.

Not having enough space to store the things that you need can be frustrating and make your kitchen very uncomfortable. If you’re someone who likes to cook then you need to have all the things that you need the most at your fingertips. If this doesn’t happen frustration is likely to ensue.

You might want to try having custom cabinets or more modular solutions with adjustable shelves. 

Consider Lighting 

You want to make sure that you have consistent lighting throughout your kitchen. It may not be something that you think about right at the beginning when you are doing your remodeling. 

However, if you plan on doing a lot of cooking in your kitchen when it is newly remodeled, you want to make sure that you can do so with ease. This is especially helpful at night or when the clouds start moving across the sky darkening the day.

There are different types of lights that you should zero in on. Consider combining task, ambient and accent lighting. This will create a very versatile space.

You should also consider adding pendant lights over your islands or dining area. This will kick start your style and functionality in a huge way. Consider adding dimmers as well to help adjust the levels of lighting in the kitchen.

Selecting Your Appliances

This is a big one! It is very important that you make a firm selection when you are thinking about changing the appliances in your kitchen. If you currently have appliances that do not meet the Energy Star standard you need to get rid of them immediately. It means that they are literally guzzling power and that your pockets are being burned in the process. 

The amount of electricity that these appliances without the Energy Star use is mind-blowing. You need to switch them out immediately and get new ones. 

If you are finding this to be a bit of a challenge financially you might want to sell off the old ones to someone who is interested in having them and then buying second hand appliances to help reduce the cost. 

Often you can get Energy Star appliances that are refurbished and they are excellent quality. This is way better than having older appliances that do not have that standard attached to them.

Aside from the energy-saving bit you have to make sure that the appliances fit in with the overall decor of your new kitchen. You will want a certain style and color scheme. This way everything will blend together harmoniously.  

Ventilate Well

You need to make sure that you are ventilating your kitchen as properly as you can. This is critical to maintaining good air quality and ensuring that you don’t get those smells that makes it overwhelming to continue cooking or even eating in the kitchen if you have a dining area. 

Smokes, steam and other odors can be overwhelming. It can put a damper on your cooking. You always need to make sure that the hood is appropriately sized for the cooktop and that it has been installed and attached correctly to the vents outside. The last thing you want is for it to be circulating stale air indoors. This will drop the air quality to below negative, so to speak and this is never good. 

Plumbing and Electrical Upgrades

Plumbing and electrical upgrades can be expensive and they can become a black hole when it comes to your finances. If you’re going to do plumbing and electrical work in your kitchen make sure that you talk everything over with your contractors and subcontractors ahead of time. 

You need to know your budget. Plumbing that is being rerouted will require you to dig up flooring and maybe even walls. This means you’re going to have to fix them back and this can elevate the cost of the entire remodeling project. 

Electrical can have the same effect if you’re not careful. If it’s not absolutely necessary to the final look of the kitchen as well as functionality then you should only do minimal plumbing and electrical work if you are on a tight budget. If money is not an object and you can afford to splurge then go right ahead, these are some of the best upgrades you can do and they often last a lifetime.

A kitchen remodeling is a huge undertaking but if you are ready for a challenge it is just what you need. Have all your pictures ready, and get a great contractor to help. Once you know exactly how you want to execute the project and how much money you’re working with, you should have a big smile on your face at the end of it all.

Feature Image Source: Mark via Pexels

12 thoughts on “Everything You Need to Know for a Successful Kitchen Remodel

  • We need to do a kitchen remodel one day. I will keep these tips in mind for sure. I want to be sure it’s done right!

    Reply
  • My kitchen is small and it lacks storage. These storage tips are just the thing for my remodel.

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  • Thanks a bunch for sharing these awesome kitchen remodel tips! As someone eyeing a kitchen makeover, your breakdown on vision, budgeting, layout, and even appliance selection is super helpful.

    Reply
  • Loving these tips and appreciate you sharing as they are perfrct for helping anyone looking to update and remodel their kitchen which to me is the heart of the home.

    Reply
  • A Great idea for a kitchen that has storage. I love a spacious kitchen, but mine doesn’t have storage. I should make it.

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  • I’m in the process of upgrading my kitchen and everything you have mentioned is important. I love a spacious kitchen

    Reply
  • These are fabulous tips for a successful kitchen remodel. I suggest working with an interior designer also as they can help things go smoother, saving you time and money. Thanks for sharing this on our FB group!

    Reply
  • This is really helpful and very timly since we’re thinking of renovating our kitchen. Thank you for reminding us about the storage. We definitely need to come up with a plan on how much storage space we need.

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  • It was a learning curve when I was remodeling my kitchen. Your tips I will keep in mind when I need to refresh my kitchen again.

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  • A kitchen remodel is a huge undertaking. It is good to have some tips and strategies to make it easier.

    Reply
  • I would love to do a kitchen remodel for my home. I lived through my parents remodel when I lived at home, so I know it can be daunting. Thanks for the suggestions and tips!

    Reply
  • I have my dream kitchen in mind and if ever I already have all the means to have a kitchen remodel, I will hire a professional to do it for me.

    Reply

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