Kitchen Remodeling

Remodeling your kitchen can be one of the most fun–and profitable–home renovation projects you undertake. Whether you’re ready to move on from an outdated design or seeking a wow-factor kitchen that will sway potential buyers, remodeling your kitchen can be the perfect step to take. In fact, according to one survey from Realtor.com, a whopping 80% of homebuyers rated the kitchen in a list of their top three most important spaces within a potential home. (Granite countertops were especially popular!)

Like any remodeling project, embarking on a kitchen renovation can seem daunting. In this post, we’ll break down some of the steps that go into the larger process so you can begin tackling your next renovation today.

#1: Research.

 Don’t worry: this is the kind of research that’s actually fun. Hit the books–or the magazines, Pinterest boards, and Instagram accounts–and save some images that represent your ideal kitchen. When it comes to research, there are two main points to take into consideration: aesthetics and functionality.

Consider what kind of personal style you favor for kitchens. Maybe you prefer a coastal look, an all-white color scheme, hardwood floors, or bright colors. Think about the patterns, materials, and accents that will work best for your design preferences. You can also consider how different appliances will work with the overall look of your kitchen. Finally, don’t forget about lighting, which can make a huge difference to the final appearance of the room. Plan for window placement to maximize natural lights, or different fixtures that create unique effects.

A full list of fixtures and features to decide on includes:

• Countertops (material and color)
• Appliances (sink, dishwasher, fridge & freezer, etc.)
• Pantry
• Flooring
• Backsplash
• Cabinetry
• Light fixtures

Second, take time to think about the functional requirements for your kitchen. How many people will be cooking inside at once? Will you be entertaining frequently? Are you always going to use your kitchen to eat in, or do you also have a dining room that you might opt for instead? Based on the answers to this question, you can develop ideas for the optimal size of your kitchen, as well as its functional design–whether you have an island, for example.

Need some inspiration? According to Homes & Gardens, these are the top trends on the horizon for 2021:

• Marble: Countertops and islands look impossibly glamorous when made with timeless marble material. Consider veined marble with flashes of accent color for an especially impressive touch.
• Wood finishes: Wooden floorboards and cabinets have so much versatility. Whether you go for darker wood, an ash tone, or glossy oak, a wooden kitchen looks classic and sophisticated.
• Dark colors: Dark brown and black for cabinets, walls, and floors adds dramatic flair to your kitchen. It also looks great in contrast to stainless-steel appliances
• Double islands: A unique design feature that doubles as twice the counter space, consider adding a double-island design for a trendy look that will last.
• Pendant lighting: One of the most-searched kitchen design features on Instagram, pendant lighting instantly dresses up a kitchen with special, wow-factor accents. It also makes the rest of the kitchen look brighter and warmer.

#2. Contact professionals and draw up a budget.

Once you have your wish list in place, you’ll want to get in touch with professional contractors who will be carrying out the physical renovations for you. You’ll also want to request the services of an interior designer, who can help you turn your kitchen dreams into reality.

These professionals will work with you to create more detailed designs, schemas, and even digital representations of your final kitchen. Make sure you check off your list of top priorities with each so they can fully understand your design requirements.

To make sure you’re getting the best deal, it’s a good idea to contact different professionals and get quotes from each before making your final decision. Finally, once you have the quotes you need, it’s helpful to create an itemized budget for the cost of renovating your kitchen.

#3. Let the construction begin!

Kitchen renovations require some planning in advance of the construction itself–after all, you use your kitchen every day! Some homeowners opt for moving out temporarily, whether to a rental or staying with relatives, especially if you’re combining a kitchen renovation with additions or larger-scale remodeling. Others choose to stay at home and set up temporary kitchens in different rooms. Either way, make sure you all have supplies out of your kitchen and have cleared out your pantry and dishware. Clear communication with your contractors is essential to make sure you know how long you’ll have to stay in your alternate living arrangement.

According to Forbes, some of the most important questions to answer ahead of time include the cadence of updates; the times you’ll have to be out of the house (for example, during noisy or dangerous processes, like demolition); and how debris and dust will be removed. You’ll also want to consider taking care of your pets during the process, and whether any person in your family is especially susceptible to allergies from all the dust in the air.

#4. Tackle the punch list.

 A “punch list” is a construction term that refers to a document prepared near the end of a construction project. The punch list contains work that doesn’t conform to the requirements laid out in the contract.

While your own version of a punch list won’t be as extensive as a construction project, it’s also important to keep in mind that there will be details and items that don’t look exactly as you pictured when the renovations near their completion. At this stage, it’s a good idea to get together with your contractors and make sure you’re aligned about the details. Whether it’s a small issue with the pipes, caulk, flooring, or lighting, getting even the smallest parts of your new kitchen right will go a long way to ensuring that your kitchen will turn out just like you’d imagined it.

#5. Enjoy!

 Congratulations–you’ve successfully remodeled your kitchen! Bask in the beauty of your new space, invite guests over for a special dinner, and enjoy the increased property value that comes with a gorgeous new kitchen.