7 Questions to Ask Before Remodeling a Small Kitchen
The kitchen is perhaps the most important room in your entire home, serving both as a workspace and the area where your family gathers for meals. Unfortunately, if you have a small kitchen, then it can be hard to get the utility that you need out of this all-important room. It is for this reason that many homeowners choose to remodel their small kitchen.
If you’re interested in updating your small kitchen, whether to improve its appearance or functionality, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself to make sure that you get the most out of your kitchen remodel. Here are a few questions to ask before your small kitchen remodel, and advice for getting help with your important project.
1. How Many People Will Be Using Your Kitchen?
The key in making your small kitchen as useful as possible is maximizing your space, and one of the issues that many people fail to consider in terms of kitchen space is how many people will be using the room.
For example, if you have children, you may want to open the floor space in your kitchen and make sure that they can reach items like the microwave. On the other hand, if you live on your own or with another person, you may want to make sure your small kitchen has a work area by installing an island. Ask yourself how many people will be using your kitchen, and consider their needs, and you’ll be able to effectively plan your remodel.
2. How Will You Use Your Kitchen?
Another important factor to consider before starting your small kitchen remodel is how you plan on using the room. Some homeowners, for instance, use their kitchen more as workspace than they do as an area to cook meals and entertain. If you don’t cook a lot of meals at home, then you can skimp on the bigger appliances, like a full stove, and opt for space saving options instead.
However, if you do want a kitchen where you can entertain guests and cook elaborate meals, then you’ll want to make sure that you have ample counter space and items like a wall oven. Knowing how you plan to use your kitchen will help you map out the space prior to your remodel.
3. Any Must-Haves?
Every homeowner has their own specific tastes, which makes it likely that you have a few must-have items that your dream kitchen will include. Skimping on these must-have items usually means that you won’t be able to get the enjoyment out of your kitchen that you need and deserve. Considering your must-have items is a crucial step in planning your small kitchen remodel.
Do you want a high-end refrigerator? What about a professional quality cooktop? Answering questions like these will help you understand what your must-haves are and how they fit into your kitchen remodeling project. Even if your budget is a factor, you should be sure to include some must-have items so that your project is as rewarding as possible.
4. How Much Storage Do You Need?
Whether you have a large or small kitchen, you need to be sure that you have the right amount of storage. With a small kitchen, however, getting enough storage space can be difficult, especially if you don’t know how much space you need.
In the planning stages of your small kitchen remodel, think long and hard about how much space you need and the best way to achieve this storage. For instance, if you don’t have room for multiple cabinets, you could choose hanging wall storage. Making sure that you have enough storage room is a crucial part of remodeling your small kitchen.
5. Is Your Space Maximized?
In a small kitchen, space is at a maximum. One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make when remodeling their small kitchen is not using every inch of space that they have available. When space is wasted in your small kitchen, you won’t be able to get the utility you need out of the room.
Some homeowners, for example, choose to install stacked pull-out interior drawers or rotating carousels so that all the extra space in their kitchen is used effectively. Think about how you’re using the space in your small kitchen, and make any adjustments necessary so that you’re using your kitchen as optimally as possible.
6. Can You Get Rid of Anything?
Something that’s common for virtually every kitchen is that they contain unnecessary items. While this can be annoying in large kitchens, it can be disastrous in small kitchens. Useless items in small kitchens can take up space that could be used for items that you actually need.
A useful task when remodeling a small kitchen is to take an inventory of your equipment and decide what you absolutely need to keep and what you can throw away. Throw away duplicate items or any plates or utensils that are broken. Clearing out unnecessary items from your small kitchen will make the room feel less cluttered and allow you to easily find the items that you use frequently.
7. Can You Open the Room?
A big obstacle in having a small kitchen is that these rooms can often end up feeling extremely cramped. This means that when you’re planning a remodel for a small kitchen, you need to find a few ways to make the room feel more open and inviting.
Think about the colors you are using in your kitchen and how they affect the feel of the room. Dark, muted colors, for instance, can make a kitchen feel stuffy. Choosing lighter colored tiles and backsplashes can make it feel like you have more space, making your kitchen much more enjoyable.
Similarly, if the lighting in your kitchen is lacking, it is likely that the space will feel gloomy. Installing new lighting, particularly under cabinet lighting, can brighten your kitchen and make you more likely to spend time in the room.
Advice for Your Small Kitchen Remodel
Remodeling your small kitchen is one of the best things you can do to improve the usefulness and attractiveness of the room, particularly if you keep these questions in mind. However, the best way to plan your small kitchen remodel is getting advice from the team at Kitchen Solvers.
When you work with Kitchen Solvers, we can help you plan the most effective small kitchen remodel possible, maximizing your space. Visit a location today to get started.
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