A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Your Kitchen Remodel

Remodeling your kitchen can be a very rewarding endeavor, especially if you take the time to fully plan out your project. If you’ve never planned a kitchen remodel, however, you may feel overwhelmed by the process, which can reduce the enjoyment of what should be an exciting journey.

Fortunately, getting ready for your kitchen remodel isn’t as difficult as you might think. As long as you follow the right steps, you should easily be able to create the kitchen of which you’ve been dreaming. Here is a step-by-step guide to planning a kitchen remodel that should help make your project fun, easy and affordable, the way that it should be.

Research Building Codes

The first thing you need to do when planning your kitchen remodeling project is to research the building codes in your area. Knowing your building codes before you begin construction on your kitchen will prevent a variety of problems and may end up saving you a great deal of time, money and frustration.

For instance, your local building codes can determine how you lay out your kitchen, particularly if there are specific rules for where you must install ventilation and how your should organize your electrical system. If you’re having trouble finding or understanding your local building codes, your remodeling professional should be able to help you with these rules.

Examine Your Current Kitchen

Spending some time thinking about your current kitchen is the second step you should take while planning for your remodel. Take a walk around your kitchen and examine its layout. Does the way that your kitchen is currently arranged meet your needs, or could the layout be improved to better fit your lifestyle?

If your kitchen is too cramped and can’t easily fit your friends or family, you’re probably going to need a more extensive remodel. On the other hand, if the layout of your kitchen is working for your family, you can spend most of your money upgrading the look of your kitchen instead of working on its structure.

Matching Your Dreams to Reality

Kitchen remodeling projects can end up being much more expensive than many homeowners expect, especially if they haven’t taken the time to outline a firm budget. Before you start spending your money, you should compare your intended budget to your remodeling plans to see if they are in sync.

Write down all the upgrades you want to make to your kitchen, and then research the potential price for each task. Then, add all of these prices together and compare them to your budget. If you find that the costs of your remodeling plans exceed your budget, you’ll either need to look for less costly alternatives, eliminate a few items or invest more money into your renovation.

Choosing Your Counters

Countertops are perhaps the most important feature of your kitchen, and choosing the wrong counters can impact both the style of the room and how easy it is to use the space. Before choosing your counters, there are several factors that you must consider to make sure you get the right option for your home.

Think about what material works best for your family. If you have small children, then you will likely want a material easy to clean and is durable, which is just what you’ll get with either granite or quartz counters. If budget is your main concern, you could opt for laminate counters. Not only is laminate affordable, it’s also available in a wide range of attractive styles. If you’re going for something more unique, you may want to consider wood, concrete or stainless steel.

Electrical and Plumbing System Upgrades

If you live in an older home, you should also think about whether or not you need to upgrade your plumbing or electrical systems. While upgrading these systems will certainly increase the cost of your remodeling project, they can also make your kitchen safer and more functional. For instance, older electrical systems can be fire hazards, so you want to be sure your outlets and wiring are up to date so that your family is safe.

Selecting Your Lighting

Picking the right lighting can make or break your kitchen remodeling project. Cooking and eating meals in a poorly lit kitchen is no fun, so you need to be careful about selecting the right lighting scheme for your home.

Basically, there are three different types of lighting that you can use in your kitchen. First, there is ambient lighting, which will provide the majority of the light in the room. Ceiling fixtures are the usual choice for ambient lighting in a kitchen, and while you don’t want the room to be so bright that it feels antiseptic, you want to be sure that the room isn’t too dim.

You can also install lighting in your kitchen that is designed for a specific task. For example, you could install an extra light over your stove or prep space so that cooking meals is easier. Finally, many homeowners choose to add accent lighting to specific areas of their kitchen to help set a mood.

Cabinet Selection and Floor Material

If you want the most rewarding kitchen remodel possible, you need to be very careful about the cabinets you choose. The ideal kitchen cabinet provides ample storage space while boosting the appearance of the room. Before you pick your cabinets, think about the look you’re trying to create in your kitchen. If you want a subtle look, for example, gray cabinets can be an excellent choice.

After you’ve chosen your kitchen cabinets, you should move on to selecting your flooring material. Kitchen floors should be both aesthetically pleasing and durable, not to mention affordable. Luckily, there are countless kitchen flooring options you can choose, meaning you should easily be able to find an option that matches your tastes. For instance, if you want a timeless look, you could install natural stone flooring. On the other hand, eco-friendly homeowners may choose an option such as bamboo.

Get Help with Your Remodel

If you follow these simple steps, planning a kitchen remodel should be quick and easy work, especially if you get help from the renovation experts at Kitchen Solvers. Whether you want to make a few small tweaks to your kitchen or you’re thinking about a full remodel, we can help you with your project from start to finish. Our team will help you plan a remodel that fits your needs exactly, both in terms of style and budget. And be sure to check out our articles, Kitchen Remodeling Costs: Get a Return on Your Investment and Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Costs – Tips to Keep Your Remodeling Project Under Control for more information on remodeling your kitchen.

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