10 Points to Consider Before Planning Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

The kitchen is officially outdated beyond your levels of tolerance. It is time to remodel, but where do you begin? There are light fixtures to pick, wall colors to mix, backsplashes to design and appliances to upgrade. You may feel a bit overwhelmed by all the choices and work that you will soon have to put into action to achieve a great new kitchen. Even if only a small amount of remodeling efforts need to take place, upgrading a kitchen is still a timely task.

Though creating a new kitchen space is a lot of work, it is also a worthwhile investment. Studies have continuously shown that the kitchen is one of the major selling points of homes that do well on the market. Having an upgraded kitchen will not only help you to truly fall in love with your home again, but will also increase your property value. Before you start the big remodel, here are 10 points to consider.

1.  Your Goals

You should always begin all major projects with a pen and a piece of paper, ready to record your goals. Before you break ground on your new kitchen, take the time to sit and write out your ideas. What would you like to change? What is your budget? What are some of your favorite design examples? Doing this will ensure that you are not entering the project blind.

2.  Your Road Map

You need a plan. Once you have made clear what you would like to accomplish in your kitchen space, take your goals and transform them into a timeline. What work should be completed first and foremost? If you hire a professional kitchen remodeling service, they will be capable of helping you out tremendously in this area.

3.  Retro or Contemporary?

Consider your own tastes, this is always one of the most important elements of design. Do you like sleek with a modern edge, or timeless and classic? This is your kitchen; create a space that you know you will enjoy long term. If the remodel is complete and you walk into a room that you do not like, despite how many upgrades have been installed, the work was not successful. If you are unsure of what kind of design you would like best for your kitchen, consider consulting a professional designer. This person can show you many different examples of the variety of elements that can be put into a kitchen and also help you to pinpoint your favorites.

4.  Know Your Boundaries

As much as everyone would like a fully loaded, state of the art gourmet kitchen, that may not be possible due to a multitude of circumstances. Your limitations include factors such as budget, space, interior wiring, the floor plan and existing structures. It is important that you design well within your limitations and allow room for changes if situations arise during the remodel.

5.  Create a Scale Design

If you are working with a professional service, they will create a scale design that ensures all elements will fit properly and that nothing is missed in the designing process. This will decrease the likelihood of experiencing costly roadblocks during the construction of your new kitchen. If you are undertaking a lot of the work for yourself, you should still take the time to make an accurate scale model of your vision.

6.  The Cabinets

Cabinets are one of the most commonly upgraded features in a kitchen remodeling project. Simply changing the face of your cabinets can change the entire look of the space. There are many different ways to give new life to your existing cabinets without having to rip them off the walls. As you are redesigning the room, consider your cabinets and how you would like to change their appearance.

7.  Lighting

Lighting can change a room, especially the kitchen. You can have lights installed virtually anywhere, including beneath the cabinets. Once you have picked your main light fixtures, do not stop. Lighting above the stove, around the refrigerator, inside the cabinets or inside the drawers is all very important. The light that you put into your kitchen will help to add the special touches that buyers love. Lights are very easy to install and are a great, inexpensive way to bring a kitchen from gloomy to fabulous.

8.  Backsplash

Backsplashes are huge selling points in modern kitchens. There are not a lot of ways in which you can show off your personality through design in the kitchen, but having a backsplash provides you with the opportunity to shine. Your backsplash can be any color you desire and feature many unique patterns that reflect your individuality.

9.  Flooring

The kitchen floor should never be an afterthought. The color, texture and even the material that is utilized should be carefully chosen so that it flows well with the rest of the design. There are many different materials that can be used to create your perfect kitchen floor. These include:

• Hardwood
• Laminate
• Linoleum
• Cork
• Stone
• Ceramic Tile

Each material has its own unique features, but most are very easy to maintain and can be manufactured to fit nearly all design ideas. Since many can be so diverse, it is important that you are aware of the pros and cons for each type. Your budget and lifestyle should be some major points to consider when choosing the type of floor to install in your new kitchen.

10.  Appliances

You can change the floor, the backsplash, the color and the cabinets, but if you have old, outdated appliances your kitchen may still look as if it is stuck back in time. It is a great idea to invest in modern appliances when upgrading your kitchen, especially if you plan on selling in the future. A new range, refrigerator and microwave oven can breathe new life into your kitchen and will also be a great joy to use.

For more information on planning your kitchen remodeling project, visit our services page and contact a Kitchen Solvers representative.

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