The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where your loved ones gather to prepare and share meals. It’s where important conversations and laughs are had and lifelong memories are made.
Because it’s such an important part of your house and your everyday life, it stands to reason that you want your kitchen to not only function properly for your specific needs but to also be as welcoming as possible.
If the current state of your kitchen is less-than-impressive – it’s antiquated, worn out, it doesn’t work for the way you want to use it, or it just doesn’t suit your taste – you may be thinking about a remodel.
A kitchen remodel is one of the best investments you can make. It can transform the room into a beautiful, functional space, and it can add significant value to your home.
To ensure the best results, however, you want to make sure you’re prepared. Here’s a look at some key factors you should take into consideration before, during, and after your kitchen remodel that will help to make the process go as smoothly as possible.
Set Your Budget
Before you start planning the layout and design, determine how much you want to spend. The cost of a kitchen remodel can add up real quick and the last thing you want to do is spend more than you can comfortably afford. That’s why it’s setting a budget is crucial
Assess the Existing Layout
Examine the current layout of your kitchen. Figure out what elements work and don’t work. For example, do you like the footprint, but you want to upgrade the cabinets, countertops, and appliances, or is the existing layout non-functional and doesn’t work for your needs and you want to completely reconfigure it. By examining the current layout of your kitchen you can determine what you want to change and what, if anything, you can keep, which ultimately, will ensure that the finished product works for you and your family, and can help to save you money, too.
Figure Out a Design
Think about what you want your new kitchen to look like so you can decide on a design and select elements that will speak to your style. For instance, if you like a rustic farmhouse look, the design elements are going to be a lot different than they would be if you prefer a contemporary design. Once you determine how you want the space to look, you’ll have an easier time choosing cabinets, countertops, and even appliances that will bring your vision to life.
DIY or Professional
Decide if you want to go with the DIY approach or if hiring a professional would better suit your needs. If you’re handy and aren’t making extensive changes, doing the project yourself may work for you, as the DIY approach may be able to help you save you some money.
However, if you don’t consider yourself handy and you’re planning on making major upgrades – plumbing, electrical, and completely changing the layout – then hiring a professional would likely be in your best interest, as a pro will have the knowledge and experience that’s necessary to deliver the best results possible; plus, if you aren’t handy, hiring a pro could actually help you save money in the long run.
Make a Plan
Once you determine the changes you want to make, decide the style you want to create, and figure out whether you’re going to hire a professional or do the job yourself, it’s time to make a plan of action. During the remodeling process, your kitchen will be out of commission. You’ll want to make arrangements for where you’re going to store food, cook, and eat while the work is being done before you get started.
For example, you may want to create a makeshift kitchen or see if you can make arrangements to use the kitchen of a loved one. In addition to deciding how you’re going to function until your remodel is done, if you have children and pets, you’ll want to make arrangements for them. The kitchen will be a construction zone and you don’t want small kids or animals wandering in and possibly getting injured.
Have a Flexible Schedule
Lastly, you should plan a schedule before you get things started; however, you’ll also want to remember to remain flexible with that schedule. By establishing a plan of action beforehand and trying to stick to that timeframe, you’ll have an approximate time until completion.
But, keep in mind that flexibility is important, as things can arise and you might need to make adjustments; for instance, the shipment of an appliance might be delayed and you may need to make accommodations to deal with that delay.
Conclusion
With the above-mentioned tips, you can ensure your kitchen remodel will go smoothly and that you’ll get the best results possible. If you are looking for beautiful marble and granite countertops to assist in making your home remodel process a success, check out our huge Kol Marble and Granite selection.