Most people, when they think of remodeling their kitchen, think of swapping out countertops, installing new cabinets, or adding appliances. However, an in-depth kitchen remodel is much, much more than these tasks. Big kitchen remodels often involve significant structural changes to the space at the heart of your home – adding islands, making room for a big new refrigerator, or tearing down walls to create a more open layout. Whether your kitchen remodel is big or small, we have some tips for you. Here is a list of Dos and Don’ts for your next kitchen remodel, straight from the experts here at Springs Home Improvement.
Do Set a Budget
Hopefully this item is self-explanatory, but it is important to set a budget for your kitchen remodel in advance. It’s one of the most important dos and don’ts of remodeling your kitchen. Setting an exact budget for your kitchen remodel requires some research and careful planning, as well as communication with your builder. In general, an extensive kitchen remodel can cost around 10 to 15 percent of your home’s current value. Setting a concrete budget and sticking to it is one of the most important steps to making sure your kitchen remodel goes smoothly.
However, some flexibility is also necessary. You do want to set a budget and stick to it, and you also want to be sure that the budget you’re setting has some wiggle room. Cost of materials can change, shipments can be delayed, and projects that seemed simple at first can grow complicated. A skilled design build contractor will work with you to make sure things go smoothly. However, you want to have some room in your budget just to be safe. You may not need the extra money, but it’s better to have some set aside and not need it than the alternative.
Do Plan Your Layout
Once you’ve set your budget, the next step of a successful kitchen remodel is planning the layout and space of your kitchen. Talk with your design build firm to make sure you’re making the most of your space and your budget. This is your big chance to fix the pain points of your old kitchen. If your refrigerator is stuck in the corner right now or you don’t have enough counter space to bake when the grandkids come over, don’t make those same layout mistakes in your new kitchen! Talk to your builder about the frustrations you’re currently experiencing and work with them to make sure your kitchen remodel is done just how you want it.
Kitchens operate on an idea called the “work triangle”. This basically means that you want to be able to move between three areas of your kitchen with ease: the stovetop, sink, and refrigerator. This makes it much easier to prepare food as you can move from your prep area, to your food storage, to your cooktop quickly and efficiently. Keep this in mind when planning out your kitchen layout. If you don’t follow the triangle, you might end up frustrated when cooking even simple meals.
Don’t Choose Appliances Last
In terms of dos and don’ts of remodeling your kitchen, this advice may seem a little backwards. Most people, when presented with a kitchen remodel, are eager to envision the new space by choosing cabinets, countertops, and paint colors. It’s exciting to picture your new kitchen with bright and shiny fixtures and finishes. And that’s not a bad thing. New countertops or even a fresh coat of paint can make a drastic difference in the quality of your kitchen and, therefore, in the quality of your life.
However, we recommend resisting the urge to choose paint colors or cabinets before focusing on choosing new appliances. Why? Simple. It’s much easier to match colors and styles to appliances than it is to match appliances to your chosen colors. Most appliances are going to be simple, stark colors, typically black, white, or stainless steel. Of course, you can choose more vibrant colors than these, depending on the manufacturer. However, the simpler colors go well with a variety of finishes. In addition, old dishwashers that make too much noise, or stovetops that take ages to heat up are immediate pain points. Focus on fixing these first, then choosing countertops, cabinets, and the like. You want to make sure that your cabinets and countertops leave enough room for your new appliances. The last thing you want are beautiful countertops that don’t fit the new fridge you bought, forcing you back to the old one.
Don’t Neglect Storage Space
You might be surprised how often people remodel their kitchen only to end up with less storage space than they started with. Don’t be like them! It’s easy to get caught up in choosing new appliances, countertops, and finishings, but remember that you need space for all of your food, pots, pans, and other kitchen gadgets too. First of all, as you’re in the process of renovating your kitchen, plan out how much storage space you’ll need and want in your new kitchen. If things are cramped right now, consider adding space for a pantry. Also, as in real estate, think about location, location, and location. Try to add additional storage space close to your oven or range and keep pots and pans within easy reach.
These tips also apply when choosing appliances for your kitchen remodel. Make sure your refrigerator is both big enough to meet your family’s needs, but also the right size to fit in your kitchen. No matter what choices you make with storage, keep one simple principle in mind. You want the right amount of storage in the right location.
Don’t Go It Alone
No matter how skilled you are, or think you are, at DIY projects, kitchen remodels can quickly grow complicated and time-consuming. The last thing you want is to be ordering take-out for weeks while you try and figure out what went wrong with your oven installation, to say nothing of the more dire possibilities, such as gas leaks or flooding from mistakes made while installing appliances. Instead, choose an expert for your kitchen remodel. Here at Springs Home Improvement, we’re proud to have helped many Colorado Springs homeowners realize their dream of a better kitchen. We want to be your local design build contractor. With over a decade in business remodeling kitchens and more, don’t hesitate to contact us today, or take a look at the exceptional kitchen remodels we’ve done for families just like yours.
