When considering which part of the house to renovate, most people opt for the kitchen – and it makes sense, too. Kitchens tend to be heavily used so getting it upgraded or giving it a bit of a refresh from time to time sounds like a good idea.
When considering a kitchen remodel, what you should aim for is balance. Try to find the perfect blend between your ideas and dreams and the reality of what is available and within your budged. In order to learn more about kitchen remodeling, I reached out to Kitchen Magic, a long-standing kitchen remodeler, and here’s what I found out.
Come Up with a Plan
Before you start anything, you will need a plan. This holds true for kitchen remodeling, and just about everything else important in your life. Strictly speaking about kitchen renovation, your plan should include all aspects of the project.
Start with what you want to replace and what you intend to keep. This way, you will be able to get your head around an approximate budget. Think about everything that’s wrong with your current kitchen and what you want to change. Share those ideas with your contractor and come up with a plan.
Another important thing to keep in check is the renovation timeline. If you are not careful, these kinds of projects can get out of hand and last for much longer than necessary. However, if you ask your contractor to give you a clear timeline, and you both stick to it, you can streamline the project and ensure your kitchen is not unavailable for too long.
Pick Your Materials Ahead of Time
One more thing you should probably think about before the project is started is which materials to use. First of all, focus on the countertop – depending on the way you want to use it, you may go for stone such as granite, marble, or quartz, or more natural materials such as wood, or go the completely other way and use stainless steel.
The same thing applies to your kitchen cabinets. If you decide to replace instead of resurface your cabinets, you will need to think of both materials and the design of such a prominent element of your kitchen. Finally, the handles – even though you may think they’re insignificant, can make or break a design, especially if you are going for a minimalist design.
Let There Be Light
Proper lighting is important no matter what you are doing. Kitchen should be no different, especially if you cook a lot. Natural light is probably the best option if you have access to it. Apart from having regular windows, if your home’s topology allows it, consider installing a skylight.
On the other hand, when it gets dark, we need to rely on artificial lights, and your kitchen should not lack in that regard either. Recessed ceiling lights are a great choice if you want to achieve a near-natural diffusion of light. The warmth of such lights can be offset by having focus lights positioned around your food preparation area. Finally, accent lights can really bring attention to details such as your cabinets, or any art you may have in the kitchen.
If You Want People to Be Floored by Your Kitchen
The choice of flooring may seem insignificant to you at the moment, but it can be an important element that can being the whole room together.
Additionally, keep in mind that you will have to maintain and clean the kitchen. Even though hardwood floors may seem spectacular, caring for them can be problematic and it might not be the best fit for a kitchen.
Each kitchen is different, just like each homeowner is different. There are a few elements that you really need to pay attention on, but how you will resolve these issues is entirely up to you and your kitchen remodeler.
