Kitchens, being the heart of the home, remain the most popular room to renovate. It'd be hard to find anyone who doesn't have a dream-worthy kitchen remodel in mind. Most of us long for the day when we'll finally be able to customize our cooking spaces. However, when that finally comes, doing so can feel quite overwhelming task because there are so many unknowns. So, we've outlined some things for you to consider before you start the process, not only to help you enjoy a stress-free experience, but also to ensure that your kitchen renovation is completed exactly the way you want.
Get Kitchen Renovation Inspiration
A great place to start with any renovation project is to simply decide what you want. Start your search for inspiration by browsing your favorite Pinterest boards, home improvement websites, magazines, showrooms or create an account on our site and save your favorites! (Also, check out our Pinterest and Houzz for some stylish inspiration!) Then, save these ideas in a folder to help you develop your remodeling plans.
Function and Layout of the Kitchen
Once you've gotten inspired, you'll then want to consider how you will be using the kitchen every day and the features that will fit your household's lifestyle. The kitchen, more than any room in the house, needs to be practical and functional. So, think about your priorities and ask yourself some questions:
- How many people will be cooking and gathering here?
- How will they need to move around?
- What do you need more or less of?
- Do you need an addition, or can you work with your existing kitchen footprint?
A helpful way to really figure this out is to cook in your kitchen and really pay attention to understand your workflow. If possible, wait and use your kitchen in its broken-down state. This will teach you how you want to use it and the arrangement that will actually help you no matter if it's your daily use or for special occasions.
A classic, go-to layout of a kitchen is the "work triangle." Arrange the sink, refrigerator and stove (the three most used features) in a triangular pattern. This is generally considered to be the most convenient set up because it saves unnecessary steps.
Budget for the Cost to Redo the Kitchen
Once you have an idea of what your dream kitchen will look like; it's time to determine how much it will cost. Perform some research to come up with a solid idea for your kitchen remodel budget. Setting a budget is a crucial part of the planning process, and it's important to do this before starting any renovation project. When you set your budget, make sure it's realistic. To do this effectively, research the average costs of all the things you have in your mind for your kitchen, including the installation costs. Be real with the numbers, since rounding down just to add more wants to the list will only hurt you and your bank account in the end.
Find the Right Professionals
Choosing the right contractor for your kitchen remodel is everything. It can mean the difference between a wonderful process and a nightmare. So, it's important that you take the necessary time to decide whether this is the best contractor for the job. To avoid any issues, research the contractor or company you're thinking of and use their last few jobs as a guideline. This will help you set realistic expectations for the work that will be done. It's also helpful to speak to previous clients if possible. You can ask them questions like:
- Did the contractor stick to the schedule?
- How would you describe their work habits?
- Did anything go wrong? Was it resolved?
Even if you have to wait a few extra weeks or months to get the right person, it's absolutely worth the wait.
How Long Will It Take to Remodel Your Kitchen?
You should also have a general idea of how long your kitchen remodel will take so you can prepare yourself for the big project you're taking on. While timelines vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size of your kitchen, the amount of work being done and any contractor you may be working with, experts estimate a kitchen remodel can take anywhere from one to three months.
Prep for Demo
The paperwork has been diligently set up and approved, the design is finalized and the crew you've hired to help is ready to start tearing down the kitchen. Some homeowners may choose to leave their house once the kitchen demolition starts, but others will choose to remain in the home. If you choose to do so, there are some things to plan ahead for:
- Set up a temporary kitchen
- Make sure you have space for preparing small meals
- Bring only the essential appliances you need for cooking
- Use a mini-fridge to store perishables
- Stock your pantry with paper plates, plastic utensils and cups
- Keep non-perishables like peanut butter, crackers and snack bars handy
Prep for Post Clean Up
Beyond preparing a temporary kitchen arrangement, you should also make plans for a clean-up before the kitchen remodel begins.
Best Kitchen Renovations
Flooring
If a total kitchen renovation is what you're after, it's time to redo your flooring. Many choices are available nowadays. Here are some great options we carry that you should keep in mind:
Laminate
Laminate flooring is designed to imitate the look of wood or tile. And because it's composed of several layers of engineered material, it's nice and durable for kitchens that will deal with high traffic, scratches and spills.
Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the easiest and versatile options for your kitchen. It's practically immune to stains, damage and water issues and it's easy to maintain!
Tile
Tile not only looks elegant and sleek, it's also very durable and easy to maintain. Plus, there are so many different options to choose from that it's possible to find the perfect one, or few, to suit your kitchen style!
To learn more about the best flooring options for your kitchen, check out our other blog here.
Appliances
This one may seem like a no-brainer, and rightfully so. And just like with the company you choose, you want to thoroughly research new appliances and choose the one you like the best that's also high quality. The most expensive doesn't always mean it's the best quality, so consulting consumer websites and customer reviews can be very helpful in this process.
Lighting
There are so many visual components to cooking a meal—chopping up ingredients, measuring them out, reading the stove temperature. The last thing you want is to attempt any of these while squinting for more light. For this reason, kitchen lighting is quite important.
To help with this part, try to envision yourself working in the space while considering where to add lighting. Of course, you'll want to include some light by the stove, near the sink and over a kitchen island. Also, consider personal preferences, like where you'll do the bulk of your ingredient prep or if you have room for an eat-in dining area.
Backsplash Tile
It's the little details like a tile backsplash that can make a kitchen. With some careful planning and a creative, exciting design process, you can add a splash of character and claim precious wall space with an eye-catching backsplash that's functional as it is fashionable.
To learn more about kitchen backsplash tile, check out our other blog here.
Counters
Countertops are nearly impossible to ignore when accessing the beauty of a kitchen. If you can do so without breaking the bank, at least one of these items may be the center for the rest of your kitchen remodeling ideas to work around.
Cabinets & Storage
Replacing or resurfacing your kitchen cabinets is almost never a bad kitchen remodeling idea. They can increase the kitchen storage and overall convenience, they enhance your kitchen decoration and feel, and cabinet resurfacing is a cheap expenditure next to many other kitchen remodeling ideas.
When it comes to storage, everyone's needs in the kitchen will be different, so planning a renovation gives you a chance to add hidden and flexible storage that works for you in particular.
Window Treatments
With all the action that goes on in your kitchen, brand new window treatments can make the space more inviting. But, before you choose them, you need to keep in mind where your windows are located in your kitchen. If they're where a lot of spills, splashes, and splatters happen, materials like faux wood or vinyl would be ideal. If they're in a safer location, then you can use more fabric like materials like roman shades or roller shades.
To learn more about the different kinds to help you choose the right ones for your kitchen, check out our other blog here.
Important Extras
One of the best parts of a kitchen remodel is that it allows you the opportunity to add all the extra details that you've always wanted to add. For example, you can finally add the pot filler faucet, or a pull-out trash can.
When it comes to some of these extras, consider whether you can do these on your own after the kitchen renovation is complete. Stay mindful of your budget and prioritize these extras based on what you really need, or want. Otherwise, you may regret it after the project is finished.
Okay, so, now you know what you want, how much it will cost and how much you're willing to spend. Now is the time to hire the team that's going to help make it happen for you, and of course show off the successful dream kitchen after as much as you want!
At Avalon Flooring, we want to make sure you're happy from your first step in our showroom to your first step on your new flooring—and as your partner in home design, we'll be there every step along the way. Consider us your "One-Stop Shopping" destination for all things flooring…(and window treatments)!
Our design consultants are equipped with the knowledge to guide you through the wide selection of products we offer, and our expert installation team is professionally trained to make sure everything gets installed the way you envision. We know your home is an expression of your sense of style, and we're here to make sure you'll be proud of it for years to come.
If you have any questions, please email us.
