The kitchen is the heart of the home. We use it every day as a social space to share meals and make them too. However, you may find that it does not quite fit your style and preferences, and you may start thinking about breathing new life into your now outdated kitchen. The idea may be exciting, but before you call up the remodelers and interior designers, there are several factors that you should consider. Rushing into renovation can backfire on you, leaving you with an inefficient kitchen space that turns out to be worse than before.
So, where should you begin? The most essential thing is to draw up a plan. Put pen to paper (or a great 3D modeling program) and map out what you want your kitchen to look like. Once you have this fleshed out, (with some elbow room to allow for any arising inspiration) then you’ll have a better perspective on the remodeling specifics. Some crucial ones to look out for are:
The Reason behind the Remodeling
Are you remodeling your kitchen for yourself or for resale? Putting a house on the market will require you to identify trends that are popular in the market, and design around these to increase both potential demands for your turnaround. Remodeling for your home allows for a lot more flexibility in customization since you are doing it for yourself and those you live with.
Electricals and Plumbing
Without a proper architectural analysis, you may have to stop your renovation project or incur unnecessary expenses. The spaces you wanted to install windows or drill fixtures into may interfere with the existing electricity and water supply layout. Heavily refer to the architectural plans, get a consultation if necessary, and deploy a team of competent designers to let you know how much you can tear out or leave in for your kitchen remodeling.
Things to Know Before Remodeling Your Out-Dated Kitchen: Splashes of Color
The kind of paint job you decide to apply for is crucial, as it will serve to set the mood of the kitchen. Thankfully, there are literally thousands of paint colors and types that you can choose from to reflect your personality. For the more adventurous, you could even do the repainting yourself or with your family and/or friends to create a mural and make a wall a memory.
Functionality
If you ever feel that something is going to waste in your kitchen –that is not expired food, then it is probably time for a layout revamp. What you use your kitchen for, and how often, varies from person to person, but common lines are drawn on topics like space utility, lighting, and air circulation. Determine how you would want to maximize the way you use the kitchen space and align the redesign around it.
Things to Know Before Remodeling Your Out-Dated Kitchen: Safety Considerations
For old houses especially, you may find that some construction materials may pose a threat to you, your family/friends, or potential tenants. Lead piping, toxic insulation material, and mold formation sites are some examples of these threats and need to be identified before carrying out your renovation so you can get rid of them. Other threats may arise from the positions of the fixtures and exposed corners.
Projected Costs
This is the most important factor to consider. The amount you expect to spend will directly influence the degree of renovation you can implement. It is prudent to draw out estimations and even seek out quotes from different designers on pricing for both materials and labor. Don’t restrict your budget to a final figure though, as it is often the case you will spend more on unexpected arising costs.
To truly refresh your out-dated kitchen you will need designers who share your vision and can help bring it to reality. Look no further than here, and we will be there at every stage to make a kitchen that’s right for you. Contact us today!
