Remodeling can be a really fun, but also a really stressful activity. We want to update our personal space and to make it look better than ever before. If you want to remodel your kitchen, then you should know some important things before you start working on it.
To help you get the most out of your new kitchen and to save you a lot of trouble, we created this guide. Follow our tips and you will be done with the renovation in no time. Always pay attention to the safety guidelines, and if you are not sure about anything, remember that it is better to call a professional service, than to risk things and make a mistake that will be too expensive to fix.
1. Make a plan
The first thing you need to do is sit down and create a plan about the things you want to remodel, change, and possibly remove. Why are you doing the remodeling? Do you want to gain more space, are the appliances old, or do you just want to make it look modern and cool? When you ask yourself these questions, it is going to be easier for you to decide on the details. If you want to redesign your kitchen to a farmhouse-style space, for example, one of the things you’ll definitely need is a farmhouse sink. You can then start looking at options like the ones right here.
Depending on the things you want to do, make a list, create a plan, and always create a budget.
2. Budget
When it comes to the budget, this is the most important part of the whole renovation. You can use it as a guideline and see what you need to do first and which things are not that important.
Set a budget for the whole renovation, and then try to divide it depending on the things you want to do. You should know that the appliances are going to be the most expensive part, so depending on the money you have, choose the number of appliances and their features.
One thing many people forget is that once we start the renovation, it is really easy to go over budget. Pay really close attention to that, and if things seem to go out of hand, sit down and revise your initial plan. See what can be postponed and where you can cut costs.
3. Schedule
The next thing you should know is that you should always make a schedule. This is especially important if you have things delivered and if you need to coordinate with several people at once. Start from the bottom up, so start by doing the floors, then the walls, cabinets and leave the appliances as the last part.
Make sure you coordinate well with all the delivery services and always leave at least a few extra hours, or maybe even a day extra in case something goes wrong.
4. Electrical work
Some homeowners decide to do the electrical work on their own since it is usually something that can be done without any professional help. Even though we don’t recommend that you should always follow the guidelines if you take this task on your own.
The most important codes you need to follow include protecting countertop circuits with GFCI, there should be at least two 20-amp circuits, you should never connect the lights with those 20-amp circuits and you should always install enough outlets.
It is always better to contact an electrician when it comes to this type of work. They will be able to help you with any issues you have, your home will be safe and everything will be done according to code. This is not something you should try to save money on, as you may make a mistake that will cost you a lot.
5. High Tech
When it comes to appliances, 800remodeling suggests that you should look at high-tech gadgets and appliances you can use. These things are going to transform your whole kitchen and your life will become so much easier.
Some things you can look into is a smart fridge, that can give you a notification on your phone about things you need to get, an eco-friendly dishwasher that will save you a lot of money when it comes to water and electricity bills, and you should also check out the newest stoves and ovens that have all the features even a chef would want.
6. Cabinets
Cabinets are the things that should be carefully chosen. You need enough space to put all the gadgets, appliances and utensils, and you should also leave room for the next things you are going to buy.
All of the countertops need to be level, so before getting your new cabinets, inspect the walls and floors to see if everything is good. Invest in cabinets that are practical and that look good. Find durable materials, and if needed, get them custom made. You need cabinets that will last at least a decade without getting damaged by use.
7. Floors
When it comes to floors, the sky is your limit. You can choose if you want tiles, carpet or if you want wooden floors. Before choosing them, make sure you get something that is not slippery, and floors made of durable material.
Chances are, you will need to clean the floors a lot, so look for a material that does not get damaged by water and something that is easy to maintain.
8. Lights
The light is crucial in the kitchen, and the more light you have, the better. When you do the remodeling, see if you are getting enough natural light. If not, try to include that in the renovation, and add a new window or a skylight.
Install several different types of light and make sure every part is covered. You don’t want to squint all the time when trying to follow a recipe and you don’t want things to get undercooked or burned, just because you could not really notice the color they are getting.
Other things you need to pay attention to are the layout, any furniture you want to put in the kitchen, the walls, and of course, the colors. Choose light and warm colors and something that will make you feel comfortable. Don’t put curtains close to the oven and the stove and always follow the safety rules.