Kitchens are the heart and soul of every home, and a kitchen renovation can be a big project in terms of cost and scale. If done right, renovating your kitchen can turn an old, cramped-up space into a functional, more modern one and breathe new life into your home.
The hallmarks of a well-designed kitchen are functionality, efficiency, style, and longevity. However, before you call the contractor and prepare to tear down your cabinets, there are certain things you need to consider. Let’s get started on the numerous details that go into executing a kitchen renovation.
Planning Your Project
Planning is crucial with any remodeling project. Home renovation shows have taught us that blindly going into a remodeling project is almost always a recipe for disaster. Hence, planning is the first step to ensure that your investment is maximized and that you’ll have a spacious, functional kitchen to enjoy for years to come.
This is especially important if you love to cook, bake, or host gatherings. You’ll want to ensure that you get the most out of your kitchen remodel.
Here’s a checklist of things to consider before starting your project.
- What the household needs: Do you live alone? Or do you live with friends, family, or a significant other? Consider listing down what you and the people you live with will need from the space. List down potential uses like heavy cooking, regular gatherings, etc.,
- The size you need it to be: The kitchen is one room where it’s practical to maximize every inch of space, especially if it is small, to begin with. While the size of your kitchen has a great impact on the layout, you can consider whether you want to knock out a wall or extend the kitchen by adding to your home.
- Your kitchen routine: Do you do weekly meal preps and thus need a bigger counter space? Or do you cook smaller meals daily and would prefer more room for dining? Do your kids spend more time in the kitchen doing their homework on the kitchen table as you cook? Consider your household’s kitchen routine so you can plan for the right furniture and fixtures.
- Pantry and storage: Almost every kitchen can benefit from added pantry and storage space. If you need more space for your baking tools or to store your canned products, consider listing these down so you can plot where to put additional cabinets and shelving.
Setting a Budget
Put aside an amount you’re comfortable with, but be prepared for a few adjustments here and there. Set a ceiling as well, so you won’t go over budget.
Here are the things you should consider when creating a budget:
- Furniture (dining set, added chairs, stools, and tables)
- Storage solutions like drawers, organizers, and shelves
- Cabinets and countertops
- Sinks, faucets, and plumbing materials
- Appliances (upgraded fridge, stove, oven, etc.)
- Paint, trimmings, and detailing
- Decoration and other accessories
- Flooring
- Lighting
Get a quick estimate for your project by getting in touch with us.
Maximizing Your Space
Maximize your floor area by planning how you can best use your kitchen space. Consider having dedicated workstations, depending on your needs. For example:
- Food prep area: This typically requires a large counter space and should be stationed near a sink for utmost convenience. It should also be close to the stove so you wouldn’t have to travel too far between the prep station and the stove.
- Washing and storage: Here’s where you’ll have your main sink and dishwasher, as well as your storage system for cooking utensils and kitchen cleaning aids. Set aside an area for segregating compostable and recyclable waste, too.
- Cooking area: This area typically contains the stove, oven, and other cooking appliances. We recommend having countertops made of tile or stone around this area to accommodate hot pans and dishes. This is typically where you can store your spices as well.
- Other areas: Depending on your lifestyle, you may want to add special corners to your kitchen area for a minibar, a baking area, or maybe even a small workstation to accommodate your laptop if you work from home most days.
Tips on Lighting
The right lighting can make a world of difference to any space. The secret is in layering your lighting scheme, such that you have a main source of light, specific lighting for each station, and decorative lighting that suits your kitchen’s aesthetic.
- Main lighting: This is your main source of light and is typically installed in the form of recessed lights or hanging lights that have dimmer switches. Adjustable lighting allows you to match your artificial lighting to natural light conditions, adjusting it as you go.
- Specific lighting: Have additional lighting installed for areas where you’ll need extra light, such as when you’re working on deboning fish and meat or detailing baked goods.
- Decorative lighting: This depends on your taste, so feel free to pick a lighting fixture that adds the right vibe to your kitchen.
Tips on Ergonomic Design
We’ve seen a lot of kitchen layouts that look great but don’t necessarily support the occupants’ needs as much. Keep in mind that a good kitchen design is as functional and ergonomic as it is elegant, especially if you’re living with children or the elderly.
- Have extra outlets and switches installed closer to the floor if you have wheelchair users at home. Also, keep ample distance between countertops to ensure easy mobility for people using walking aids.
- Have motion-detector or twin-lever faucets installed instead of traditional ones. It makes handwashing and access easier for kids and the elderly who may not have strong grip strength.
- If you or a family member uses a wheelchair or if there are kids in the house, consider having countertops installed at 36 inches for convenient access.
Choosing the Right Materials
Any renovation is an investment and one that you should enjoy for many years to come. As such, choosing the right materials for your kitchen is key to durability and longevity. Choose quality materials, even if you’re on a budget. Remember that investing in durable materials is better than having repairs done ever so often!
For Drawers and Cabinets
- Wood: Might be expensive but is extremely durable and long-lasting. The right shade and type of wood will give your kitchen an air of warmth and personality.
- Melamine: An affordable alternative, melamine comes in a wide range of styles and is very easy to maintain.
- Metal: Extremely resistant to wear-and-tear, is long-lasting, and also very easy to clean.
- Glass front: Provides a clean look and highlights your collection of fine china and crystals. Easy to clean, too.
For Countertops
- Tiles: Tiles come in a variety of patterns to match your kitchen decor and are heat resistant
- Laminate: Very budget-friendly and easy to clean, laminate can imitate wood, concrete, or stone
- Metal: Very sturdy and easy to maintain, metal is an eco-friendly option for your kitchen
- Natural stone: Provides an elegant feel to your kitchen; Stone is treated with a sealer so it doesn’t stain and can resist heat
Executing Your Plan
Now that you have everything in order, all that’s left to do is implement it. No small feat, we know! But with the help of extensive planning, smart decision-making, and a team of professionals, your dream kitchen will be completed in no time.
Easy Renovation offers a unique build process that offers stress-free renovation in four easy steps:
- Get an Estimate: All you have to do is answer a few questions about your current space and your renovation goals. We’ll then send you an initial estimate to help you get started.
- Meet a Project Manager: A project manager from our team will meet you and create a custom proposal for you, depending on your desired design and your existing layout.
- Work With a Designer: We’ll ensure that your space is both elegant and functional by providing you with a custom design or a ready-made one from our portfolio.
- Leave the Construction to the Experts: Our team is highly skilled and experienced in all types of kitchen renovations. They’ll ensure that everything is done on schedule and according to plan.
