Remodeling a kitchen is a daunting project. Often, there is a significant expense in both time and money by the time you are done. While there are various ways to finish the remodel of your daydreams, there are also many snares to avoid. Whether from insufficient planning and preparation or taking shortcuts, many things can go south if you don’t clearly define your goals.
By avoiding these usual mistakes, you can ensure that your remodel ends up with the best possible kitchen you can imagine. This room is the centerpiece of your home, where people congregate, cook, and socialize. Renovating it can help you see significant returns when you sell your house, and enhance your enjoyment of your kitchen while you are still in the home. Whether you have a traditional or contemporary kitchen, gray shaker cabinets or raised panel cabinets, or any variation, you can use these tips to keep your goals in line.
Employ a Professional
Many people, justifiably, may skip this move when they remodel their kitchens. Professionals do cost a lot, and those expenses can burst budgets. Other renovators have a distinctive layout in mind and do not want outside designers to infringe on their plans.
However, that tactic can fail quickly. Pro designers have a substantial background working with spaces just like yours. They know how to alter the area creatively and ensure that you are optimizing the kitchen layout. Professionals can work with you, especially if you state your goals clearly, to augment what you already have in the work.
Make sure to work with reputable kitchen designers that utilize a unique approach and deliver excellent value. However, it’s not enough to rely on other people’s reviews. You also have to do your homework to ensure the designer meets your specific requirements. For instance, it’s advisable to check the kitchen designer’s portfolio by looking into before and after photos of past and recent remodeling projects. By doing so, you’ll have a good idea of whether they can achieve the look and function you desire for your kitchen space.
Plan, plan, plan
Many people speed through their remodel. They are ready to begin, eager to update their kitchens and start utilizing them. Planning, though, is arguably the most critical step in the remodeling process. Whether you need to prep for kitchen cabinets, flooring, or countertops, it all takes planning. It is ideal to plan up to a few months in advance. With a bit of planning, you will save lots of money and have a more streamlined remodeling process. Running back and forth to the store is no way to finish a remodel efficiently.
Create a Detailed Budget
At the start, you may believe your remodel can be done affordably. However, expenses tend to stack up quickly, catching even veteran remodelers by surprise. If you are changing structural components in your kitchen – such as walls, doors, and ceilings – there is a chance of affecting adjacent rooms. You may have to redo the wiring, reroute air ducts, or knock out nearby sections of your home that you were not originally planning. The key is to take your time. Plan out each step of your remodel and the cost of each item. Give yourself some flexibility and figure you will probably spend more than you thought at the start.
Focus on the Cabinets
Some renovators, who may have a good idea of their final project, forget the kitchen cabinet’s significance. The kitchen cabinets influence the room’s overall mood and impact which appliances, counters, and flooring may meet your needs. (You can view kitchen cabinets here to get some ideas). The finish and colors of your cabinetry will also influence the room. If you make the error of buying cheap units here, your complete overhaul can go awry.
As far as quality, you often get what you pay for. Superior hardwoods, soft-close hardware, and dovetail drawers with exceptional joinery should be required in your kitchen cabinets. No matter what kitchen layout you go for, from old-fashioned to ultra-modern, that cabinetry plays a significant role.
Go With a Reputable Contractor
A contractor calls the shots and knows how to piece together all the moving parts. Quality contractors will go through each stage of the remodel closely and ensure that no feature is ignored. Examining online reputations or hearing positive words from friends and neighbors are typical ways to analyze contractors’ performance. They will also work with your goals and try to make suggestions cautiously so that your end project is the one you had in mind to create.
Don’t Cut Corners on Major Purchases
There are specific options that people choose in renovation products to save money. However, try not to cut corners on big-ticket items, such as appliances, cabinets, and lighting. Appliances should last a long time, and there are many distinctions and looks to go with any kitchen layout.
You do not want to quickly have a problem with an appliance you often use, like stoves, refrigerators, and dishwashers. Kitchen cabinets, on the same token, should be able to take daily abuse and constant opening and closing of drawers and doors. Lighting comes in a vast range of quality and cost: it is best to go with ones that cost a bit more, as you are more likely to get outstanding products.
Focus on the Backsplash
While many kitchen updaters put a lot of thought into the big items, they sometimes brush aside minor features such as backsplashes. The backsplash is an opportunity for you to show off your style and can transform your entire kitchen’s feeling. There are many inexpensive tile choices and DIY backsplash ventures that you can complete fast and within your means.
When it comes to choosing a backsplash for your kitchen, it’s ideal to select a material that’s easy to clean. For example, tile can withstand grease splatters, heat, and moisture build-up, making it an ideal backsplash material. Tile backsplashes come in a wide array of colors and designs that can last for 20 years with proper care.
In addition, you have to remember that the more complex the installation job is, the more expensive the professional fee will be. For instance, making tile mosaics necessitates time and skill. Hence, expect a higher labor cost.
The standard tile backsplash installation cost ranges between USD$5 and USD$15 per square foot. On the other hand, the tile material costs about USD$3 (cheap tiles) to USD$20 (high-end kitchen tiles) per square foot.
Optimize the Space That You Have
As you renovate, think about all of the space you have. Is there room for more shelves? Can you customize cabinets to sit in tight nooks and maximize counter space? Often, remodelers don’t use the overall kitchen layout effectively. Even if you have a small room, there are various ways to increase storage and space. Whether it means putting in racks and open shelving in unused spots in the room or hanging pots and pans creatively in the kitchen, there are ways to increase your kitchen’s efficiency.
Conclusion
Kitchen upgrades can be challenging, and people make errors. You can prevent these typical pitfalls by planning, buying only high-quality components, and counting on pros to help. The outcome can be a kitchen that you can happily spend time in and one that you and your family will enjoy.
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